New book aims to bring uniformity in Santhal self-rule system

In an attempt to bring in uniformity in the traditional self-rule system (Majhi-Pargana system) among Santhali population in the Eastern part of the country, a tribal organisation 'Adivasi Sengel (empowerment) Abhiyan' (ASA) has released a unified rule guide book today.
Addressing a joint press conference at Karandih, Kaviraj Murmu, central president of All India Majhi-Pargana Mandwa (organisation), Sonaram Soren, central president of All India Sarna Dhorom (religion) Mandwa and Birsa Murmu, Jharkhand state convener of ASA, said the guide book was for implementation in the Santhal populated Assam, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
The sole objective of the rule guide book was to bring in uniformity in implementing and following the self-rule system across these states as well as in other parts of the country, they said.

The book was given a concrete shape following a series of discussions and meetings of Santhali intellectuals, Majhi-Pargana (village heads) and others from the community, they said.
ASA chairman and former MP Salkhan Murmu assured that the book would help Santhals to run their self-rule system uniformly.
This is a collective wisdom of concerned Adivasi from five Eastern states to usher speedy and urgent need of unity and victory for the tribal community, who are lagging behind in all walks of life, he said.
Murmu expressed confidence that the book could bring in democratic spirit in place of hereditary practices among the Santhal population.

"It will liberate Adivasi women from the age-old inhuman practice of witchcraft and will uphold the spirit of justice, equality and progressive ideas along with a new organisational set up to match the political administration of present day governance system to establish a macro social unity among Santhal population," Murmu added.