From Clerk to ‘Mahaanayak’: How Vinod Bihari Mahto Founded JMM in 1973
Dhanbad, Jharkhand: Whenever the story of Jharkhand is told, three towering leaders—Vinod Bihari Mahto, Shibu Soren, and A.K. Rai—are remembered for their tireless struggle for the marginalized. Each of these leaders fought for the poor and oppressed in distinct ways. Vinod Bihari Mahto championed the legal rights of displaced farmers and worked as a social reformer, Shibu Soren protected tribal communities from exploitative moneylenders, and A.K. Rai, an engineer by profession, left his job to safeguard mining laborers from coal mafia exploitation.
Formation of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)Despite their individual efforts, meaningful change for workers and tribal communities was slow. Recognizing the need for a united front, the three leaders convened at Mahto’s residence in Dhanbad. On...
