Khurda: A day after a video of the assault on two tribals of Khurda district by some members of Manavbad Sangathan went viral on social media, the style of functioning of Sangathan head has come to the fore.
A lawyer by profession, Das had posed as a godman who was giving religious discourses to people of backward communities, like Sarathi Baba of Kendrapada.
The ‘godman’ actually forced poor tribals to join his organization. If any tribal refused to oblige, the entire family was subjected to inhuman torture by Das’ henchmen.
The brutality of Das and his men came to light after mediapersons met members of six tribal families of Adivasi Sahi of Dalatola village, under Sadar Police limits, on Monday.
A family member revealed that the followers of Manas Das had severely thrashed them as they refused to join his organization and drove them out of their house in 2013.
“By the order of their leader, Sangathan members ransacked our house and destroyed all household articles. We are living in a forest near our village since then,” he said.
A member of another family told mediapersons that they were implicated in a murder case by Das in 2014 as they refused to join his organization.
“Sangathan members came to our house and threatened to kill us. Later, they thrashed my mother and sister and looted all household articles,” he added.
Aggrieved family members said that according to a fatwa issued by Das, married women cannot put vermillion on their forehead and wear bangles, can’t go to temples, young women can’t get married. Also, marriage rituals can’t be performed by any family if any of its member dies.
They also said complained that in case a member of the family had a job, half of the monthly salary had to be given to the Sangathan.
Das, whose political link with the ruling BJD is confirmed, termed the allegations as false and baseless.
Das, who formed Manavbad Sangathan in 2005, joined the BJD in 2018.
Former BJD MP of Khurda Prasanna Patsani had described Das as the best religious teacher (Guruji) in the world at a meeting some years back.
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