Keonjhar: Jitu Munda Faces Harassment and Social Neglect

Keonjhar: The case of Jitu Munda has sparked widespread discussion across social media, news outlets, and local communities following distressing revelations about his family's struggles. Jitu Munda, along with his brother and sister Kalara Munda, lived together until Kalara's death about three months ago. Despite holding an Antyodaya Anna Yojana card, which entitled her to 35 kilograms of rice and a monthly pension of 1000 INR, Kalara faced difficulties accessing funds for medical treatment. The bank repeatedly denied her withdrawal requests, contributing to her untimely death. Jitu Munda, unmarried and from the family of Talia Munda, has been subjected to mental and physical harassment, including being refused assistance by bank officials.

After Kalara's death, Jitu was burdened further when his rice quota under the government scheme was not provided. Although the local panchayat sent 5 kilograms of rice from the sarpanch's discretionary quota, Jitu was deprived of old age pension benefits despite documents indicating his age as 61. Villagers report that Jitu often went hungry and faced mental and physical torment. Recently, he brought his sister's skeletal remains to the bank in protest after being denied funds again. The government has provided some financial aid through the Red Cross and transferred 19,000 INR from his bank account, but officials have remained largely silent. There are calls for strict action against bank officers accused of harassment and for investigation into possible land usurpation by influential locals.