Mail News Service
Saraikela, Jan 27: The 63 year old weather-beaten stalwart of a relentless battle against prevailing social ills including witch hunting that has left many men and women accused of sorcery in the dark pits of humiliation and boycott was herself a victim of the dark accusation. She is none other than the dedicated social crusader Chhutni Devi of the rural hamlet Birbans in Gamharia Block. She has so far puller out 120 men and women accused of sorcery and voodoo practices. But Chhutni Devi herself was one of the many who were humiliated by family and relatives on the accusation of evil practices. The zeal to conquer the social ills prevalent in society especially in the rural sphere was born out of the scourge handed to her. A brief rollback leading to her fate and her ultimate reemergence into light would make for invigorating reading.
Chhutni Devi was married to Mahtaindih village resident Dhananjay Mahto in 1979. Three boys and a girl were born to the couple. Everything seemed to be going smoothly until in 1991 after which there were murmurs which shortly turned to accusations of Chhutni being a witch. Family members, relatives and then the entire village started pointing accusing fingers at her. She was blamed for all the ills befalling families. In no time, the woman became a social outcast. Stepping out of home became an exercise in extreme vilifications. She was not provided food by her in-laws and came in for unbearable physical and mental torture. She took the next best step and left her in-laws’ home and took shelter in a small hut along with her four children in Birbans village. That was the initiation by fire for Chhutni. Her determination grew as strong as the ironsmith’s anvil. She was unlettered herself but ensured good education for her children who are now well entrenched in their careers while the daughter, Keshovati Mahto after completing her matriculation has happily settled down as a homemaker. Chhutni Devi’s eldest son Ashok Kumar Mahto passed his matriculation exams and is working as a supervisor in a company. Second son, Atul Chandra Mahto is a graduate and is now a para teacher. Youngest Son Arjun has completed his B Sc and B Ed courses and while loo0king out for an appropriate job is currently working as a Panchayat Swayamsevak under the MGNREGA scheme.
Chhutni Devi’s unrestrained drive to banish the social ills that have put to sword many simple men and women, has won many recognition for the down-to-earth lady of steely resolve. In 2012, she was awarded the Nari Ratna award by the then state Governor on behalf of the Rajya Mahila Gosthi (State Women’s Seminar). On March 8, 2013, Chhutni Devi was awarded the Achievement Award for the year by the State Women’s Commission and later, on March 21 the same year, she was declared outstanding Woman Achiever by the National Women’s Commission. Her showcase is overflowing with a plethora of recognitions, honours and awards but humility has not deserted her and her feet tread towards destinations where men and women are subjected to humiliations, social boycott and vilifications in the name of practicing black magic. On receiving the telephonic news of her being selected for the prestigious Padma Shri Award for 2021, a twinkle of joy in her eyes betrayed her reassured and motherly countenance. On being pushed for her comments, the lady of less words and more action said, “It is my endeavor to ensure the same rights to women in society and to eradicate the social ills that attribute women as heretics and sorcerers. This commitment will stay with me as long as I live. Padma Shri Award is the most precious recognition in my life and this is a motivation to continue on my mission to root out social ills and beliefs.”
