These days, one name is being discussed everywhere in Mainpat of Surguja district of Chhattisgarh, Fulchand Manjhi. Her video became so viral on social media that people started calling her “Hidma of Mainpat”. But the real story is deeper than this. Fulchand has used the word ‘Hidma’ not for Naxalite thinking, but as a symbol so that the people of his area can stand firm for their rights.
It all started during the public hearing for Kudargarhi Alumina Mine. When Fulchand took the mic and said that he was “ready to become Hidma”, his video spread like wildfire. After this, Local 18 reached Mainpat, and there Fulchand told the whole story clearly.
Fulchand says that the real ‘Hidma’ used to take up arms, but he and his society believe only in adopting the path of the Constitution. He says that if mining starts, the entire future of the poor tribals here can be spoiled. Fulchand says that we do not have the strength to go and settle somewhere else. If mining happens, diseases will increase. There is no treatment facility nearby. It is not in our power to take Raipur-Bilaspur.
Fulchand’s biggest worry is that if the mine is opened, the peaceful atmosphere of Mainpat, the forest, the land, everything will be destroyed. On top of that, the villagers already get scared after seeing the police and administration. Therefore, he used the word ‘Hidma’ so that people get courage and feel that they can stand strong peacefully for their rights.
Fulchand reiterates again and again that there is no question of taking up arms. We will fight as soldiers of the Constitution, not as Hidmas with weapons. In the video, youth, elders, women and children were seen saying ‘We will become Hidma’. Fulchand explains that this means that we will protect our rights and will not bow down to wrong.
They also have a big question that why mining is always in tribal areas? There is a desert like Rajasthan…why is there no excavation there? Because there is no ‘Hidma’ there?
Fulchand himself is a second year B.Sc. student and teaches children in the nearby Saraswati Shishu Mandir. Along with studies, Fulchand, who is engaged in social service, wants the children of his society to become strong through education. He says that the big problem of Manjhi community is that caste certificates of many families are not made. Due to this they are left out of government schemes. Fulchand is soon going to run an awareness campaign in this direction.
