Nagpur/Yavatmal: Members of Banjara community, which dominate Yavatmal and Washim districts of the state, stage a missive protest in front of the respective district collectors against the derogatory portrayal of Banjara women in the book, ‘Hindu — Jagnyaachi Samruddha Adagal’, written by Jnanpith award winner Bhalchandra Nemade. The book has been in print since 2010.
Senior literary and social activist of the community Dr Ganesh Chavan demanded a ban on Nemade’s fiction work. “After reading the novel in details, I can surely claim that it’s a deliberate attempt by the author to portray women of Gor Banjara community in a derogatory manner. Banjaras inherit a great history and rich culture. Such semi-pornographic portrayal of our woman is unacceptable,” said Dr Chavan.
Devivas Rathod, who was part of this delegation, alleged that there was a scam in honouring Nemade with Jnanpith award.
“Nemade himself has said many times that the present novel is a part of tetralogy which means the novel is incomplete. It’s illegal to award country’s biggest literary honour to an incomplete peace of literature,” he said and demanded an immediate withdrawal of the award. The community groups have also written the award committee in this regard.
Agitation in Yavatmal was more vocal than Nagpur. Renowned physician of the city Dr T C Rathod led the agitation here along with woman activist Aruna Rathod. A delegation met the resident deputy collector Lalitkumar Warhade and submitted a memorandum.
While talking to TOI in Yavatmal, Dr Rathod condemned the novelist and urged the state and the central governments to ban the sale of controversial book in the country as it hurts the Banjara pride.
“Now, we have brought our sentiment to the notice of the government and appealed it to take punitive measures against the writer and the publisher. If the government fails to act quickly, the Banjara community will come on to the street and fight against the sectarian attitude of the writer and those who nurture ill of the community,” said Dr Rathod.
Aruna Rathod has cautioned the government of intensifying their protest and continue till the demands are met.
Old book, renewed controversy
- Nemade’s novel ‘Hindu — Jagnyachi Samruddha Adgal’ was released in 2010
- Banjara literary activist Motiram Rathod had raised objections right then
- After Rathod’s demise in 2012, the agitation was stopped midway
- Nemade received Jnanpith award — India’s highest literary honour in 2014
- Fresh edition of this novel is about to be launched soon in 2021
- Banjara community now wants a ban on the novel, file case on author and publisher, and withdrawal the award given to the author for this work