Forced marriages in Bailadila

Some moving scenes from the so-called confluence of cultures in Bailadila are presented in this book. There is vanquished innocent faith on one side and victorious articulate swearing by the form on the other. The exchange of word, the quintessence of marital bond, is a matter of simple faith for the tribal nymph. It is of no value to the skillful members of industrial world. The new rulers of domains conquered are not prepared to submit to the natural course of justice of the 'vanquished' langotiwalas. The earth appears to be shaken as the District Magistrate (D.M.), for a change, decides to stand by innocent faith and reinforces the same by 'rituals' of law and also the custom. Ironically the State in the capital stands by the bemoaning culprits, because it must defend the form, the foundation of its authority, with no concern for the Constitutional mandate to protect the tribal. The action of the DM is both eulogised as a bold and worthy act and condemned as act of a lunatic. It becomes blesphemy when he question the way his discretion is questioned by the babus of the Raj. Some basic issues of governance in tribal areas are brought to the fore in this narration. It is a must for administrators and activists working amongst the tribal people.