The case of the death of young vocal tribal leader and social worker Nisha Kumari Bhagat is in the headlines in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand.
Nisha's father has claimed that his daughter has committed suicide. His father has given an application for investigation.
In this regard, Ranchi (Rural) SP Gaurav Goswami told BBC News Hindi, "See, this application was given in RIMS. RIMS comes under Bariatu police station. Bariatu police station has taken this application. As soon as it is received in Pithoria police station also, we will take legal action on it."
It is being told that just before her death, Nisha had come live on the social media platform Facebook and made some serious allegations. However, now this post is not on their platform. BBC has not been able to confirm the existence of this video.
The incident happened on Friday evening. Local police recovered the body of Nisha Bhagat from her Ranchi residence and sent it to RIMS Hospital in Ranchi for post-mortem.
Nisha Bhagat's father Hindu Bhagat says, "After the post-mortem at eight o'clock in the night, we took the body to our residence in Gumla. But his last rites will be performed at our native village Uru on Saturday afternoon at 2 pm."
But on the death of his daughter, Hindu Bhagat held the Jharkhand government responsible and told BBC News Hindi, "If the government had become alert in time and taken action, my daughter would have been alive."
On these allegations, Senior SP of Ranchi Rakesh Ranjan told BBC News Hindi, "The investigation is still going on, we will be able to say something only after the investigation report comes, strict action will be taken against those who are guilty."
After Nisha Bhagat's death, a round of allegations and counter-allegations continues in the political circles of Jharkhand.
Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi wrote on social media platform X, “Nisha Bhagat used to talk about the rights of tribal society, was this her crime? The daughter who raised her voice for the rights of others, when she herself needed help, where was the administration of Hemant Sarkar?
“Who can question Nisha's fighting ability today? The question is with the administration, whose duty was to listen to their pleas. Nisha said her point. Now it is the government's turn to answer."
After getting information about the case, student leader Devendra Mahato told BBC, "There should be a CBI inquiry into the entire matter related to Nisha's death so that no culprit can escape."
But social activist Agustina Soreng believes that Nisha Bhagat was a stronger tribal social activist than a politician.
Agustina Soreng says, "Nisha Bhagat's departure is an irreparable loss for the tribal society which cannot be compensated."
Agustina Soreng believes, "The sudden death of Nisha Bhagat in Jharkhand is enough to show how challenging it is even today for a tribal woman to lead the socio-political fight against power, especially."
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MLA Bhushan Tirkey says, "Hemant government is with Nisha Bhagat, she will definitely get justice."
He says, "We will not back down from investigating the allegations she is making. Her family members are also demanding an investigation, so we are completely with the family."
Bhushan Tirkey says, "Nisha was a daughter of the society, who thought well about the welfare of the tribals. She always thought about how the tribals should be benefited, how the tribals should be developed, how welfare should be done for the tribals. The loss of such a struggling woman is a big loss not only for the society but also for the state."
Journey from hotel management to politics
Sunny Toppo, who has worked with Nisha Bhagat, says that after completing high school from Ursuline Convent School, Nisha Bhagat entered Kartik Oraon College, Gumla.
Nisha studied hotel management from Durgapur, after that she studied journalism and started working in Bengaluru.
Sunny Toppo says, "Nisha decided to leave the path of better job and work on the issues of tribal society."
He says, "In the year 2018, Nisha dedicated her life to the fight for the culture, identity and rights of the tribal society."
Sunny believes that the struggle of her father Hindu Bhagat also plays an important role in this decision of Nisha.
Hindu Bhagat played an active role in the separate Jharkhand state movement along with Shibu Soren.
Hindu Bhagat recalls his daughter's struggles and says, "My daughter was very courageous who was capable of facing any situation."
In fact, Nisha Bhagat, influenced by the militant life of Hindu Bhagat, increased her activism on the issues of tribal society.
Struggle from Sarna Code to PESA law
Nisha Bhagat was active on the demand for Sarna Dharma Code, implementation of PESA law and issues related to water, forest and land.
He took part in various movements regarding the separate religious identity and constitutional rights of the tribal society.
Hindu Bhagat says while remembering the movement on behalf of Nisha for PESA law.
"Nisha had marched on foot from Gumla to Ranchi Raj Bhavan to implement the PESA Act."
He further says, "Long before the elections in the year 2024, Nisha had presented her demand for Sarna Dharma Code by getting her head shaved in front of the Raj Bhavan."
Sunny Toppo says, "Nisha Bhagat also fought hard against those who left tribal religion and adopted Christianity. Due to this, we were called agents of BJP and RSS. Due to which she was very hurt."
(Suicide is a serious psychological and social problem. If you are also going through stress, you can take help from the Government of India's 'Jeevan Aastha' helpline 18002333330. You should also talk to your friends and relatives.)
