Tribal Man Jitu Munda To Undergo ‘Sudhi’ Ritual In Keonjhar Village After Skeleton Incident
The ritual is likely to see participation from hundreds of relatives, community members, and villagers. A community feast—an essential part of the ‘Sudhi’ process—will also be organised: Reports
BHUBANESWAR: May 3: Amid the continuing controversy surrounding tribal man Jitu Munda, who carried the skeletal remains of his sister Kalaramunda to a bank to claim her savings of Rs 19,402, an unusual development has emerged from Dianali village in Keonjhar district.
Sources said Jitu is set to undergo a traditional ‘Sudhi’ (purification) ritual after villagers objected to his act of carrying human remains to a nationalised bank—an incident that drew widespread public attention.
According to sources, members of the village community insisted that Jitu must perform the ritual to atone for what they considered a violation of customary norms. They reportedly warned him of social boycott if he failed to comply.
Following the warning, Jitu agreed to undergo the ritual in accordance with local customs. Initially scheduled for May 3, the ceremony was postponed due to the unavailability of required materials and is now expected to be held on Wednesday in Dianali village.
The ritual is likely to see participation from hundreds of relatives, community members, and villagers. A community feast—an essential part of the ‘Sudhi’ process—will also be organised.
Speaking to reporters, Jitu said the ritual would enable his reintegration into the community. “The Sudhi ritual will be performed on Wednesday. Villagers have told me that if the feast is not organised, they will not interact with me or allow me to visit their homes,” he said.
The controversy stems from an earlier incident on April 27, when Jitu exhumed his sister’s body and carried her skeleton to a bank to establish his claim as her legal heir. The act triggered national attention, prompting bank officials and revenue authorities to intervene. Subsequently, the necessary legal formalities were completed, and the deceased’s savings were handed over to him.
Sources added that upon completion of the ritual, Jitu is expected to be formally accepted back into the community.
