Keonjhar, May 6: Jitu Munda is set to undergo a purification ritual today to be accepted back into his community, following the construction of a memorial (samadhi) for his deceased sister, Kalara Munda. The ritual has been deemed necessary after Jitu exhumed and came in contact with his sister’s skeletal remains, an act that led to his temporary social exclusion.
According to sources, the samadhi will be built at the burial site of his sister. In addition, stone memorials will be installed in the name of five ancestors as part of customary rites. After the completion of these rituals, Jitu will undergo purification, shave his head, and host a community feast for villagers, relatives, and members of his caste.
The incident dates back to when Jitu had approached a local bank to withdraw money belonging to his deceased sister. Bank officials, however, refused to release the funds without a valid death certificate. In a desperate move, Jitu exhumed his sister’s decomposed body from the cremation ground and carried it nearly 4 kilometres to the bank, triggering widespread shock and debate.
The matter soon escalated into a major political issue across the state, prompting the Chief Minister to order an inquiry and assign the RDC to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Meanwhile, support has poured in from various quarters. Physics Wallah extended financial assistance of ₹10 lakh, while a Kerala-based organisation contributed ₹1 lakh. Aid continues to come from different organisations and individuals as the case draws attention statewide.
