Description

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Context

The Jharkhand High Court recently directed the state to implement a prohibition on livestock, alcohol, and intoxicants on a hill that is sacred to the Santal Adivasi and Jain communities.

About Marang Buru

Location & Elevation	Located in Jharkhand; Tallest peak in the state at 1,365 metres; part of Parasnath Wildlife Sanctuary
Jain Significance	Known as Sammed Shikharji; site where 20 of 24 Tirthankaras attained liberation; home to 40+ Jain temples
Santhal Belief	Revered as Marang Buru (“Great Mountain”); supreme deity of the Santhal tribe; key site during Sohrai festival
Social Role	Contains sacred groves central to Santhal culture; hosts Lo Bir Baisi, a tribal council for dispute resolution
Historical Role	Was the launch site of the 1855 Santal Hul (rebellion) against British colonial rule

Political and Legal Context

Since 1911, the conflict over Marang Buru has been documented through a variety of legal disputes regarding religious practices and hunting rights.
In spite of the historical recognition of Santal rights, these rights have been increasingly restricted by post-independence policies.
Adivasi access to their sacrosanct sites has been reduced as a result of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and subsequent designations of the area as a wildlife sanctuary.

Recent Developments

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued a memorandum in 2023 that prohibited the sale of livestock and alcohol within a 25 km radius of the hill.
The Santal community has objected to this directive, asserting that it violates their traditional liberties.
This moratorium has been further solidified by the most recent High Court ruling, which has resulted in heightened law enforcement in the region.

Source: Indianexpress

Practice Question:

Q. Marang Buru, often mentioned in the context of tribal traditions in India, is:

(a) A sacred mountain and the principal deity of the Santhal tribe
(b) A traditional dance form of the Bhil community
(c) A folk theatre form of Odisha
(d) An ancient iron-smelting site in Chhattisgarh

Answer: (a) A sacred mountain and the principal deity of the Santhal tribe

Explanation:

Marang Buru means "Great Mountain" and is worshipped as the supreme deity by the Santhal tribe, one of the largest tribal communities in India.
It symbolizes nature worship and is central to Santhal religious practices and festivals, especially Baha and Sohrai.