Baripada: Bangiriposi MLA and sports minister Sudam Marndi has reportedly been placed under social boycott by tribals of the Santhal community – for having given his daughter in marriage to a non-tribal.
The boycott is learnt to apply to the minister’s family as well.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of Santhals held Friday at Kiashola market ground in Shyamsundarpur panchayat.
Marndi had organised a lavish ceremony for the newly-wed couple last Wednesday at his native village Dahisahi. Villagers of Dahisahi, Balikhani and Kandalia, who were present at the wedding to bless the couple, have also been boycotted by the Santhals.
Over 100 village headmen from various parts of Mayurbhanj district and neighbouring Jharkhand attended the meeting, where it was decided to enforce the boycott. Village headmen and Santhals of the three villages were present at the meeting.
It was decided in the meeting that the minister, his family and villagers of the three villages who attended the wedding will not be allowed to immerse the ashes of dead family members in Damodar Ghat, the holy ghats for tribals.
The Santhals also decided that branches of neem trees will be pitched before the houses of the minister and residents of the villages.
Tribals indicated that a massive rally will be organised at Bangiriposi station ground in protest against the minister’s act.
Tribal leaders like Baidhar Marandi, Madhab Hansda, Anapa Murmu, Puthanath Murmu, Bhailu Murmu, Mahendra Kisku, Masang Murmu and Durga Charan Baske were present at the meeting.
Marndi’s daughter’s wedding was solemnized in Bhubaneswar at a hotel January 31.
However, several Santhal outfits opposed the marriage, stating that Sudam, despite being a tribal, had violated traditions of the Sarna Dharma by giving his daughter in marriage outside their community.
