Protests in Chhattisgarh

• 11 Jun 2024

Why in News?

In a violent protest, numerous members of the Scheduled Caste Satnami community in Chhattisgarh's Baloda Bazar district burned a section of the collectorate building, damaged vehicles, and had conflicts with the police to demonstrate against the violation of their religious site, Jaitkham.

Key Points

• The Jaitkham, also known as the Victory Pillar, holds significant importance for the Satnami community in Chhattisgarh.
  • It is a revered religious symbol representing the triumph of good over evil and the spiritual heritage of the community.
  • Located at the Amar Gufa, the Jaitkham (religious pillar) is a place of worship and a focal point for cultural and religious gatherings, embodying the identity and history of the Satnami people.
• The protest stems from the incident when the Jaitkham religious site of the Satnami community in Giroudhpuri town, Baloda Bazar district, was attacked.
  • Satnami community members see its desecration as a profound disrespect and an attack on the community's beliefs and traditions.

Satnami Community

• The Satnamis of Chhattisgarh were a group of people, who formed a socio-religious movement in Bengal during the British period.
• The movement was founded and led by Ghasi Das of Bilaspur district and he was thought to be an untouchable leather worker.