Assam: Oraon community celebrates Sarhul festival in Margherita, calls for state holiday

Margherita witnessed vibrant celebrations of the Sarhul (Khaddi) Festival on Tuesday, April 1 at Powai 3 No. Line Sarna Than. The festival, a significant occasion for the Oraon community, was organized by the Assam Pradesh Kudukh Uraon Sangha Powai Regional Committee, along with the Powai 3 No. Line Kudukh Uraon Society, and with the active support of local residents.

The festivities commenced with the traditional Sarna Puja, a sacred prayer to Nature God, followed by a sapling plantation drive, the inauguration of the Khaddi (Sarhul) ground, and a grand cultural procession. The celebrations continued with the lighting of earthen lamps and culminated in a vibrant cultural night, showcasing the rich heritage of the Oraon community.

Sarhul, also known as Khaddi in the Kudukh language, is a major festival observed by the Oraon tribal community across Assam, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. Celebrated in the month of Chaitra, it marks the arrival of spring and the beginning of the tribal new year. Speaking about the significance of the festival, Sunil Oraon, General Secretary (In-Charge) of the Assam Pradesh Kudukh Sangha Powai Regional Committee, highlighted that "Sarhul" derives from the words "Sar" (Sal tree) and "Hul" (collective beginning), symbolizing renewal, prosperity, and the deep connection of the Adivasi people with nature. Meanwhile, in the Kudukh language, "Khaddi" translates to "flower," signifying the bloom of new life.

Sunil Oraon also reiterated the long-standing demand for the declaration of Sarhul (Khaddi) as a state holiday in Assam. He emphasized that the Uraon community, which has been residing in Assam for centuries, has celebrated this festival with devotion and traditional customs, much like in other states where it is widely recognized.

A cultural procession, organized under the leadership of Kartik Oraon, carried a powerful message advocating for the protection of "Jal, Jangal, and Zameen" (Water, Forest, and Land). He expressed concerns over the illegal encroachment of Adivasi lands while acknowledging the Assam government’s efforts in afforestation. However, he highlighted that the Kudukh Oraon community has been worshipping and preserving nature for generations and urged the government to officially recognize their festival.

In pursuit of their demands, the Assam Pradesh Kudukh Uraon Sangha Central Committee recently met with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Cabinet Minister Ashok Singhal in Guwahati. A memorandum was submitted, urging the government to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Oraon community, declare Sarhul (Khaddi) as a state holiday, and issue land pattas to Adivasi families who have been residing in Assam for centuries.