Sacred Jharkhand Hill Sparks Jain-Santal Tenasions

Sacred Jharkhand Hill Sparks Jain-Santal Tensions

Why in the News ?

On May 3, the Jharkhand High Court directed enforcement of a meat and alcohol ban on Parasnath/Marang Buru hill, considered sacred by both Jain and Santal communities, reigniting a long-standing dispute over religious rights and customary practices.

Sacred Jharkhand Hill Sparks Jain-Santal Tenasions

Historical and Legal Disputes:

  • The dispute dates back to 1911, when Jains challenged the Sendra festival (a ritual hunt by Santal men) in court.
  • Courts, including the Privy Council, upheld Santals’ customary rights to hunt, rejecting Jain objections.

  • After Independence, Santals’ rights eroded—especially post-1972 Wildlife Protection Act and loss of Fifth Schedule status, which protected tribal land rights.

Recent Developments and Legal Orders

  • In 2023, the Environment Ministry ordered a 25 km no-meat/alcohol zone, covering 99 tribal villages.
  • A Jharkhand HC order in 2024 mandated enforcing this directive, sparking backlash from Santal communities.
  • Despite restrictions, Sendra festival was recently celebrated.

  • A Santal body has filed a counter-petition asserting their traditional religious rights over the hill.

About Sacred Significance of the Hill:

●     Known as Parasnath to Jains and Marang Buru to Santals, the hill in Giridih district holds deep spiritual value.

●     Jains believe 20 of 24 Tirthankaras, including Parshvanatha, attained nirvana here; over 40 temples exist on the hill.

●     For Santals, Marang Buru is their supreme deity; the Jug Jaher Than and Dishom Manjhi Than are key religious sites for rituals and tribal governance.

●     The hill was the birthplace of the 1855 Santal Hul rebellion, launched from the Lo Bir Baisi tribal council.

About Marang Buru:

●     Known as the “Great Mountain” in the Santal religion.

●     It is the most sacred site for their animist practices.

●     Hosts the Jug Jaher Than and Dishom Manjhi Than, crucial for rituals and leadership.

●     Venue of the 1855 Santal Hul rebellion launch.

Jains:

●     Followers of Jainism, an ancient Indian religion emphasizing non-violence and spiritual discipline.

●     Revere Parasnath Hill for its association with Tirthankaras’ liberation.

●     Maintain a strict vegetarian lifestyle.

●     Oppose hunting and meat consumption near Parasnath due to its sacred status.

Key facts: Santals

●     One of India’s largest Adivasi (tribal) communities, with a rich animist tradition.

●     Worship Marang Buru as their supreme deity.

●     Celebrate Sendra festival, a ritual hunt, on the sacred hill.

●     Assert customary rights over forest and ritual spaces.

About Sendra Festival:

●     Annual three-day hunting festival celebrated by Santal men.

●     Symbolizes courage, masculinity, and tribal renewal.

●     Conducted in the forests of Marang Buru.

●     Long opposed by Jains for its clash with their non-violence beliefs, creating legal and cultural tensions.

Key points: Fifth Schedule

●     Part of the Indian Constitution, it provides safeguards for Scheduled Tribes in certain areas.

●     Offers land and forest rights, autonomy in governance, and cultural protection.

●     Areas around Marang Buru lost this status post-1972, impacting tribal control and practices.

About Wildlife Protection Act (1972):

●     Enacted to protect India’s wildlife and ecosystems.

●     Imposed restrictions on hunting and forest use.

●     Affected Adivasi practices, especially the Sendra hunt.

●     Contributed to the erosion of tribal rights over traditional sacred landscapes like Marang Buru.