May 4: The conflict between tribals and Kurmis resurfaced today after the release of the Adivasi Manifesto, a 24-page booklet. This time, Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo is at the centre of the controversy.
The manifesto raised a storm today with Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leaders a protesting against the Cardinal for endorsing a book containing derogatory remarks against Mahato caste men.
The manifesto, authored by an editorial team led by former MP Salkhan Murmu, was released by the Cardinal at a function here yesterday.
Although several tribal leaders, led by MLAs Stephen Marandi and Bandhu Tirkey, had requested the Cardinal to refrain from releasing it, he had chosen to go ahead.
JMM MP Sunil Mahato along with leader of the Opposition Sudhir Mahato rang up the Cardinal this morning and conveyed to him that they had been deeply hurt by his releasing of a book which has branded the Mahatos caste men as ?enemies of the tribals?.
They told the Cardinal that they continued to hold him in high esteem and even reminded him that they had always backed the church and its activities against the onslaughts of the BJP-RSS combine.
The Adivasi Manifesto, a copy of which is with The Telegraph, points out: ?The Kudmi Mahatos have been shamelessly trying to get themselves declared as tribes only to get benefits including reservations that are being accorded to the scheduled tribe.?
The Cardinal, when contacted by The Telegraph, said: ?I have merely released a book as I have released many such books in the past. By releasing a book, I have not endorsed the views of the authors.?
He added: ?JMM MP Sunil Mahato and leader of the Opposition Sudhir Mahto,who called me up today, were seemingly upset over the mention of anti-Mahato remarks in the booklet. But the talks were very friendly.?
The Cardinal?s comments were in sharp contrast to the views aired by AAM chief convenor Salkhan Murmu, who has drafted and published the book, in a news meet today.
Following the controversy, the AAM chief convener Murmu was directed by the Archbishop house in Ranchi to come out with a statement that the Cardinal had only released the manifesto and all the contents of the booklet were drafted and published by the AAM.
