National
Hope from polls in poor’s camp
Members of the Musahar community at Ghatdumariya in Katahariya Municipality-9, Rautahat, are participating in election campaigns demanding basic provisions such as food, shelter and clothing for the poor.Pawan Yadav
Members of the Musahar community at Ghatdumariya in Katahariya Municipality-9, Rautahat, are participating in election campaigns demanding basic provisions such as food, shelter and clothing for the poor.
Party flags flutter in the houses in the settlement. Almost all the people in the community are poor and illiterate. Kalichan Majhi, a local man, said candidates are canvassing for votes in their settlement.
“We have asked the leaders to help in construction of houses and a school. There’s no safe drinking water and electricity in our settlement. We have also requested them for these utilities,” he said.
But Musahar people are not confident that the candidates will address their demands once they are elected as their experience shows that most politicians, particularly those contesting national elections, show up only during the polls but hardly visit the villages again to ask people about their problems.
There are 53 Musahar families in the settlement. More than 300 children are out of school. Nuthani Majhi, a community leader, said they will vote for those who work to change the face of the village. “We are risking our lives staying here. The floodwaters of Tarahari stream erode land every year. This compels us to build huts time and again,” said another local Binod Majhi.