February 20, 2014: Human right activists in India’s capital city New Delhi paid
rich tributes to a Catholic nun, who was hacked to death two years ago after she campaigned
against coal miners to secure the tribal rights in the North Indian State of Jharkhand.
At
a meeting over the weekend Church workers joined activists to remember Sister Valsa
John of Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, who was killed in the coal mine areas
of Pachuwara in Jharkhand on November 15, 2011. They discussed tribal rights and issues
of lopsided development projects displacing villagers, stressing that injustice against
tribal people continues in the villages of India. Two books were also released to
cherish the values for which the nun sacrificed her life.
The nun was killed
after about 50 people broke into her room, part of a villager’s hut deep inside the
village. Police said Maoist pamphlets were found at the scene of the crime. Police
could not establish the cause of attack on her despite the arrest of several local
persons, but her friends and colleagues believe she was killed for mobilizing people
against the exploitation by mining corporations. Sr. Valsa, who worked among the Santhal
Tribals for many years, had made Panchwara her home and organized the Tribals when
they were faced with displacement after large portions of land were allocated to a
West Bengal based mining company.
Speakers at the panel discussion on "Tribals,
land rights and Development" pointed out that Sr. Valsa's effort was to protect the
land, which is most sacred to the tribals. Her non-compromising attitude and demands
to respect the rights of the people irked the mine management, who saw her as a hindrance.
Speakers said company officials went around instigating and enticing the simple village
youth with money and liquor. They managed to polarize the people, which ultimately
led to her murder.
A fact-finding team that visited the village soon after
her death demanded a federal CBI enquiry in to the murder as well a white paper on
the terms and conditions of the mining contract. But nothing much had happened. A
book titled People’s Valsa: In the Footsteps of Her Master was released. It is edited
by Sisters Helen Saldanha Mary Scaria. Sister Saldanha is secretary of Indian bishops'
Office for Women while Sister Scaria is rights activist lawyer practicing in New Delhi.
Another book, Sr. Valsa John: A Martyr for Our Times -by George Menachery
was also released. A CD titled "The beacon, on the life and work of Valsa" by photo
journalist John Mathew was also released by Retired Archbishop Vincent M. Concessao
of Delhi on the occasion.