New Reshma

I remember a story that was never discussed within my family, my community and my village for a long time. It was 1985 when some of my villagers decided to encroach and capture unused public land. This act was opposed by us. There was tension among different communities, especially among landless and landlords. That was also the time when politicians were trying to create a rift between various political benefit purposes. I saw some people carving on stone and making a statue of Chuharmal. When inquired about the significance of this statue or forthcoming temple, there were two opposite voices regarding the same.

He was a hero for people belonging to lower caste as he tried to marry an upper-caste girl, fought with a local Zamindar and defeated him, where as the people from our community treated him as a savage and uncultured person who worked as a laborer and cheated the owner. This story is being projected as a victory of schedule caste Dusadh (Paswan) over Babhan (Bhumihars). The story is mythological one and people narrate it in their own way. There were many babhan Zamindars in bihar and they recruited Dusadha as Guard to control save and protect themselves. Chuhaad (Short form of Chuharmal) is slang among upper caste in Bihar. Now, we have a Chuharmal deity in my village worshiped by a particular community. There is no acceptance of Chuharmal among our community. However, for political reasons, people are joining Chuharmal fair especially political leaders. We need to recognized these caste heroes to ascertain votes of that community which is good in numbers and Democracy is all about numbers.

Though, this is a tragedy as both Reshma and Chuharmal die and they could not marry each other. George A. Grierson, a gorā palṭan, who as a colonial tax collector not only collected taxes but also village gods, godheads and spirits in the Bihar region. In Bihar Peasant Life, he provided the list of around a hundred such village deities and spirits. Chuharmal, the ancestor of Dusādh (Dalits) was listed as the first thief by George A Grierson.

Phase 2

My friend Naval changed his name as Naval Kumar Rai to hide his caste identity. Naval belongs to same community and he wants to become like Chuharmal. He wanted to marry a brahmin girl. He shares his opinion that though people from Babhan community are not good, however, girls from the same community are fair looking and beautiful. He is looking for his Reshma. He claims that we are not untouchables, but Kshatriya of Dushashan type. He is not willing to marry a girl from his own community. He delivered a prepared speech in class against the caste system among Hindus. I tried to counsel Gudia who developed a lust for Nawal and both were successful and married.

This marriage last for 2 years. Suddenly, I saw Gudia in our block. I felt she has come to visit her parents. She informed me that She has returned permanent and she is not going back to Naval. Naval is being promoted as S.D.M. He is my old friend but tells me that you are not different than Gudia as you too belong to the same community, a Manuvadi, blames me as feudal and he is looking for New Reshma on a temporary basis this time.