Kumudini Hajong: A guiding light in the Tonko movement

Kumudini Hajong, the leader of the Hajong community during the historic Tonko movement under British rule, has passed away at the age of 102 in her hometown of Netrakona. She led the rebellion against landlords' unjust rent collection, and among the Hajongs who fought against British and Zaminders oppression, she was the sole survivor to witness that era. Born in Baheratali village at the foothills of the Garo hills in Durgapur upazila of Netrakona district, Kumudini Hajong did not have access to formal education due to the absence of educational institutions in the area, including her village. Nonetheless, she remained a dedicated member of the Communist Party of Bangladesh throughout her life and played a significant role in inaugurating the Comrade Mani Singh Memorial Museum in Susong Durgapur, Netrakona.

In the foothills of the Garo Hills in Greater Mymensingh resides the Hajong tribal community, who were subjects of the Susong Durgapur zamindar. Under the Tonko or Dhankabari Khajana custom, the Hajong community was obligated to pay a certain amount of paddy-khajna to the zamindar, regardless of whether their crops were harvested or not. This practice dictated rent based on allocated land rather than actual crop yield. As a result, natural disasters often led to crop destruction and forced taxation, plunging Hajong farmers into poverty.

Previously, the Hajongs had the privilege of cultivating land rent-free, in exchange for capturing and presenting wild elephants to the zamindar. The zamindar would then sell these elephants to others at inflated prices. However, with the enactment of the 'Garo Hills Act-1869', land ownership transferred to the British, depriving the Hajongs of their rent-free cultivation rights.

Agriculture served as the primary occupation for the Hajongs, thus motivating their involvement in the Tonko movement. Concurrently, Comrade Moni Singh, a Communist leader and nephew of Susong Durgapur Zamindar, spearheaded this movement in 1937 against local landlords. Lankeshwar Hajong, the husband of Kumudini Hajong, played an active role in this movement. In 1946, an armed camp of the Eastern Frontier Rifles was established in Birishiri, Durgapur police station, under the command of a Magistrate, aimed at controlling the Hajongs and disciplining activists.

Following the camp's establishment, anti-Tonko Hajongs faced daily harassment from British armed forces. On January 31, 1946, British armed forces raided Kumudini's house in an attempt to arrest her husband, Lankeshwar. Failing to capture Lankeshwar and his brothers, the enraged Eastern Frontier Rifles instead dragged Kumudini, newly wedded to Lankeshwar, towards the Durgapur army camp. Learning of this, Rashmani Hajong, another leader of the Tonko movement, rallied hundreds of men and women to resist, armed with native swords, axes, sticks, arrows, and bows, to free Kumudini.

In the face of such resistance, the armed forces fatally shot Rashimani Hajong and Surendra Hajong. Witnessing the loss of their comrades, the enraged Hajong men and women present at the scene retaliated, attacking the armed forces with spear and machetes. Two soldiers of the Eastern Frontier Rifles were killed on the spot in this Hajong counterattack. Stunned by the ferocity of the assault, the soldiers abandoned their pursuit of Kumudini Hajong and fled to defend themselves.

However, the following day, British troops descended upon the villages of Baheratli, where Kumudini Hajong and Rashimani resided, ransacking everything in search of activists, albeit to no avail. In the aftermath of the incident, Rashimani's husband, Panji, tragically took his own life by leaping into a fire to mourn the loss of his wife.

Meanwhile, Kumudini Hajong was spirited away to the mountain hideout of Communist leader Comrade Mani Singh. Upon receiving news of the impending arrival of British armed forces, Kumudini's husband and brother-in-laws had already sought refuge at Mani Singh's hideout. Following an armed attack by Hajongs in Baheratali village resulting in the deaths of two soldiers, the government filed a murder case, accusing activists including Comrade Mani Singh and Kumudini Hajong. To evade army torture, Kumudini Hajong adopted the alias 'Saraswati' in her daily life.

Rashimani Hajong, having sacrificed herself for the oppressed, earned the title of 'Hajong Mata' within the Hajong community. Kumudini Hajong, likewise, emerged as a prominent leader of the Tonko movement. Following prolonged struggle, the brutal Tonko system was finally abolished with the passing of the Land Acquisition and Tenancy Act in East Bengal in 1950.

These narratives of resistance against exploitation and oppression often remain overshadowed in historical accounts, dominated by tales of kings' wars. The stories of those who bravely stood against injustice, particularly the marginalised rural communities, often go unnoticed. Without figures like Kumudini Hajong, the sacrifices and struggles of these individuals might have faded into obscurity.

The legacy of Kumudini Hajong and others like her, who have fought against exploitation and oppression, resonates through the ages, serving as a constant reminder of the struggle for a society free from exploitation. Their contributions cannot be forgotten if we aspire to establish a just and equitable society.

Similarly, the sacrifices made by individuals like Rashimani Hajong and Kumudini Hajong during the bloody liberation war of 1971 must be acknowledged. While it may be challenging to find suitable candidates for awards like the 'Ekushe' or 'Freedom' medals, the government sometimes turns to intellectuals with a limited perspective. This can result in the same individuals receiving multiple awards.

It is crucial for the state to recognize the contributions of those who laid down their lives fighting against British rule and the tyranny of landlords. Women activists such as Phulo Murmu, Jhano Murmu, Ila Mitra, Leela Nag, Pritilata Waddedar, Veena Das, Majera, Jamila, and Matangini Hazra played pivotal roles in challenging the foundations of British rule. While they may not be our 'national symbols,' they continue to inspire the youth movement.

In honoring the contributions of these brave individuals, we not only pay tribute to their courage and sacrifices but also reaffirm our commitment to justice, equality, and freedom.

Veena Das, who attempted to assassinate the then Governor of Bengal, Stanley Jackson, later tended to wounded freedom fighters in a makeshift hospital on Jashore Road during the Bangladesh Liberation War. She traversed Kolkata to procure medicine for them. Similarly, Kumudini Hajong, a revered figure in the struggle, could have been considered for the Ekushey Padak or Swadhinata Padak during her lifetime. The untold stories of those who do not receive medals or awards endure in the hearts and minds of countless people. We hold the memory of Kumudini Hajong, a leader of the Tonko movement, in profound reverence.

Author: Former Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank and Former Managing Director of Security Printing Corporation