THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Nov. 22: JMM central spokesperson Kunal Sarangi delivered a lecture at the University of Sussex on Friday, spotlighting Jharkhand’s 150-year struggle for water, forests, and land, and emphasising the global relevance of Shibu Soren’s life and contributions. Kunal spoke at the invitation of the Centre for World Environmental History on the Sussex campus near London.
He began by discussing the sacrifices and leadership of tribal icons from Siddho-Kanho to Birsa Munda, noting that the first call for independence against the British was sounded in Bhognadih in 1757. He said it is unfortunate that the long history of Jharkhand’s tribal resistance and the movement for a separate state remains largely absent from international academic discourse.
“Shibu Soren deserves global recognition,” says Kunal
Kunal highlighted the leadership of Jaipal Singh Munda and Shibu Soren after independence, describing them as two of the most influential tribal leaders in India’s political history. He said Shibu Soren fought a decisive battle against exploitative moneylenders and played a key role in the statehood movement and in defending the rights of tribal communities.
He said Shibu Soren’s biography deserves international attention, noting that although courts have cleared him of corruption charges, “a conspiracy prevented his contributions from receiving proper recognition in some national and international media.” He added that Soren’s efforts to raise awareness about land rights and promote agriculture, education, and self-employment—especially after the 1967 famine—should be discussed globally.
JMM’s founding vision and current leadership highlighted
Kunal said the founding of the JMM was shaped by the vision of Shibu Soren, Binod Bihari Mahto, and A. K. Roy, who aimed to give a strong political voice to local issues and tribal rights. He said this mission continues under Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s leadership.
He pointed to the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Scholarship as an example of the state government’s commitment to education, saying that the program has enabled meritorious students from Jharkhand to study at top British universities. Kunal met two scholarship recipients at Sussex—Trinisha from Ranchi and Usha from Khunti—who thanked the chief minister for the opportunity.
University of Sussex expresses interest in deeper partnership
Kunal thanked Simon Thompson, Vice Provost for International Affairs, Vinita Damodaran, Director of the Centre for World Environmental History, and Professor Soumya Nath, the lecture coordinator, for including JMM’s movement and Shibu Soren’s biography in their academic calendar.
He said that in the coming months, academic exchange programs and institutional partnerships will be developed between the University of Sussex and Jharkhand’s educational institutions. A delegation from Sussex is expected to visit Ranchi in January to strengthen this collaboration and meet Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
