Mahasweta Devi: A Champion for the 'Untouchables'
Mahasweta Devi, the esteemed Bengali writer, is deeply disturbed by the degrading treatment inflicted upon the lower castes, especially women, and is a staunch advocate for the 'untouchables'. She is horrified by the political tactics that aim to crush the spirits of those fighting for freedom from oppression based on their caste and clan. In response, she undertakes a profound project to unveil the shocking realities that lie behind the socioeconomic and political iron curtains. Her powerful work, Draupadi, serves as a poignant testament to violence and resistance, narrating the story of a poor, illiterate tribal woman's unwavering defiance, refusing to even clothe herself, as she confronts the grotesque face of political repression from the government, bureaucrats, feudal masters, and state-sponsored criminals. This narrative also challenges the callous post-colonial state embodied in the figure of Senanayak.
Draupadi: A Tale of Oppression and Resistance
The story of Draupadi is set against the backdrop of the Naxalbari movement in West Bengal, a 1967 peasant rebellion led by landless peasants and itinerant farm workers against the unofficial state-feudal nexus. It highlights the economic, political, social, and sexual oppression faced by dalit women in tribal areas, who endure triple marginalization based on caste, class, and gender.
In the Naxalbari region of Bengal, tribal communities such as the Medis, Lepchas, Bhutias, Santhals, and Orangs endure exploitation at the hands of zamindars, who offer meager incentives such as paddy seeds, oxen teams, and a small amount of rice, in exchange for back-breaking toil on the land. This age-old tragedy of the exploitation of landless peasants in West Bengal has a long history of resistance, dating back to movements by sanyasis and indigo cultivators.
From Tragedy to Rebellion: The Struggle for Survival
In this struggle for survival, Dopdi Mejhen emerges as a central character, a Naxalite fighting for her existence, food, and water. She represents the plight of countless tribal women who face utter helplessness, leading to rebellion and resistance. Dopdi and her husband Dulna Majhi are forced to work for meager wages, much below the government's minimum wage fixation, fighting not for lofty ideals, but for their basic needs. The target of their movement is the deeply entrenched oppression of landless peasants and itinerant farm workers, sustained by an unofficial alliance between the government and landlords. The Indian government responds to the Naxalite rebellion with brutal force, suppressing the rural population, particularly the tribal communities, in a ruthless manner.
Dopdi Mejhen: The Unyielding Spirit of Defiance
Dopdi Mejhen's struggle for survival takes center stage as she recalls memories of drought in Birbhum. Despite the scarcity of water for her and her people, there seems to be an abundance of it at Surja Sahu's house. To survive, Dopdi decides to kill Surja Sahu, and she and her comrades carry out the act. This act of resistance is justified by their fight for survival, where every action is driven by the urgent need to secure basic necessities. However, the feudal and imperialist mindset marginalizes and dehumanizes tribal individuals, perceiving them as dark and untouchable beings devoid of rights.
Operation Jharkhani and Senanayak: The Instrument of Oppression
The story gains momentum with Operation Jharkhani, led by Senanayak, an expert in combat and extreme left politics. Senanayak employs strategic techniques such as learning the language of the enemy, using tribal informants, and employing counter-techniques. However, as Dopdi Mejhen is apprehended, she defiantly warns her comrades before facing a horrifying ordeal of rape at the hands of multiple men, losing consciousness repeatedly during the harrowing experience.
A Defiant Heroine: Challenging the Status Quo
Unlike passive rape victims, Mahasweta Devi's heroine, Draupadi, embodies an unconquerable spirit, courageously confronting her rapists and resisting the violation of her body. Devi's literary output aims to give voice to the voiceless, bringing to light the unfortunate realities that often go unnoticed by society. Through her work, she exposes the irony of patriarchal hegemonistic societies that claim to protect a woman's honor but, given the chance, violate her without hesitation. Dopdi Mejhen represents millions of tribal women who suffer oppression, marginalization, and victimization at the hands of political forces.
A Lasting Legacy
Mahasweta Devi's Draupadi remains a powerful and enduring symbol of subaltern defiance, challenging the status quo and advocating for the rights and dignity of oppressed communities. Her work continues to inspire generations, shaking the conscience of citizens and urging them to recognize and analyze the hidden suffering and struggles of the marginalized.
