SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad Feb 4: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) will celebrate its 50th foundation day in Dhanbad during the day rather than the traditional function that used to take place at night.
JMM Tundi MLA Mathura Prasad Mahto informed that in the wake of Covid danger, the Central Committee has decided to celebrate the foundation day of the party at Town Hall in the day rather than at the historical Golf Ground at night.
The JMM was founded on the night of February 4, 1973 at the Golf Ground of Dhanbad by Shibu Soren, former MP Binod Bihari Mahto and former Dhanbad MP AK Roy. Since then, every year on the night of February 4, the JMM has been celebrating its foundation night at the Golf Ground of Dhanbad.
Besides Shibu Soren who is affectionately called Guruji by the followers, Hemant Soren, all MPs MLAs and activists from Bokaro, Giridih, Jamtara, Deoghar, Hazaribagh arrive at Dhanbad’s Golf ground in procession carrying traditional weapons of bow and arrow, sword, furrow and attend the function whole night.
On its foundation day function, the JMM announces its future policies and programmes to be organized by the party in the year.
“Danger of the Corona pandemic still exists. So, the party has decided to hold the function during the day in Town Hall for maintaining Covid guidelines and safety of workers,” said the senior party leader and Tundi MLA Mathura Prasad Mahto.
Mahto, who is the lone MLA of JMM in Dhanbad, said that last year (2021) too, the party had organized functions in the day rather than at night.
JMM Dhanbad district president Ramesh Tudu said that to avoid the massive gathering of party workers at the DhanbadTown Hall meeting, all block units of the district have been directed to hold a function in their respective area while following the Covid guidelines strictly.
“Despite a function being organized in the day and in Town Hall rather than night as well as at open Golf Ground, the spirit of JMM workers of the region has not dampened towards party celebration,” JMM former central committee member Debu Mahto said.
However, some senior leaders of the party are resentful over the missing of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and founder Guruji ( Shibu Soren).
“If they could attend the function at Dumka, why wouldn’t they come to Dhanbad. Dhanbad is the original foundation place of the JMM. Participation of both the leaders would have instilled a new spirit among party workers and supporters in Dhanbad,” said a senior JMM leader requesting anonymity.
