363: Were 7 People Killed in Jharkhand Because of the Pathalgarhi Movement? - a podcast by The Quint

Seven people were found decapitated in Jharkhand late 21 January. The police claim the seven were killed for opposing the Pathalgarhi movement. Their bodies were found in a forest four kilometres from Chaibasa in Jharkhand’s West Singhbum district.

What is the Pathalgarhi movement? And, if like the police allege, why did it lead to 7 people’s brutal deaths? 

And who’s going to answer for the grisly crime?

Our story today has two parts. The first is the crime at hand, the abduction and killing of seven villagers from Jharkhand’s West Singhbum for opposing the Pathalgarhi movement. And second, we explore the history and roots of the Pathalgarhi movement – What is it, how did it start and why it’s such an emotive issue.

I’m joined by senior journalist Mahtab Alam who has extensively worked out of Jharkhand. Together, we can hopefully explain the story to you today.