Jaipur- In contemporary India, the prevalence of atrocities against marginalized communities, particularly indigenous tribes, has reached alarming levels.

Against this backdrop, "Bharatha Circus," a thought-provoking Malayalam drama thriller metaphorically portraying the ceaseless struggle of the oppressed, has captivated audiences as it streams on the OTT platform, Manorama Max.

With its poignant narrative and compelling portrayal of societal injustices, the film has garnered widespread acclaim and struck a chord with viewers seeking insight into the complexities of social dynamics and the enduring resilience of marginalized groups.

Directed by Sohan Seenulal, the film unfolds within the confines of a police station, where the lives of various characters intersect, revealing the harsh realities faced by those marginalized due to their caste identity.

The storyline follows the journey of Laxmanan Koni, a middle-aged man who finds himself entangled in a web of suspicion and injustice when he approaches the police with a complaint. Binu Pappu delivers a powerful performance as Laxmanan Koni, portraying the struggles of an ordinary man thrust into extraordinary circumstances.

Central to the narrative is CI Jayachandran, played by Director MA Nishad, whose deep-rooted casteist beliefs lead him to wrongfully implicate Laxmanan Koni in a Maoist case solely based on his surname and appearance. The movie shows how the system perpetuates discrimination and locks individuals into predetermined roles based on caste, depriving them of their rights and dignity.

The film challenges societal norms and stereotypes, questioning the tendency to judge people based on their name and color.

Through poignant dialogues and strong characterizations, "Bharatha Circus" confronts the audience with the harsh realities faced by marginalized communities, urging them to introspect and empathize with the plight of those who are systematically oppressed.

Furthermore, the inclusion of the remix of PNR Kurup's poem "Pulayadi Makkal" adds depth to the narrative, drawing attention to the enduring struggles of the vulnerable communities and the need for societal change.

Movies are often perceived as exaggerations and fictional representations, seemingly detached from reality. However, upon engaging with activists and academicians, The Mooknayak discovered a unanimous consensus regarding state oppression against oppressed castes.

'Bharat Circus' unveils a troubling narrative of systemic injustice and false accusations plaguing Adivasi communities, drawing parallels from real-life incidents such as the Pathalgadi Movement in Jharkhand and the Kakri Doongri protest in Rajasthan.

Through the lens of the film, Adivasis like Laxmanan Koni become emblematic of the countless individuals ensnared in fabricated cases, highlighting the pervasive challenges faced by marginalized groups across India.

In a conversation with The Mooknayak, Dr Jitendra Meena, a member of the national executive of Bharat Adiwasi Party, drew attention to the disturbing reality of police brutality and false accusations targeting tribal communities.

He remarked, "There are not one but thousand examples where police and state have implicated false allegations on tribal people." Meena highlighted the case of Kakri Doongri in Rajasthan in 2020. For nearly 20 days, tribal youths from Rajasthan had been staging protests atop the Kakri-Dungri hills between Bichhiwada and Kherwada ( Dungarpur- Udaipur border) demanding recruitment for 1,167 vacant posts reserved for tribal.

Meena said " When they were protesting on the highway, police opened fire, registered false cases against 4,500 people...there were people who were not even in the country and had gone to Gulf countries for labour work, yet they were named in false FIRs."

Jitendra Meena further highlighted the recent charges against Kamleshwar Dodhiyar, a newly elected and only legislator from the Bharat Adiwasi Party (BAP) in Madhya Pradesh. Meena asserted, "The BJP made endless efforts to coerce Kamleshwar into joining their ranks. When he refused to yield to their demands and chose to stand alone, false allegations were concocted against him."

Meena emphasized that an FIR had been lodged against Dodhiyar without any tangible evidence, such as audio or video proof, to substantiate claims that he had demanded one crore rupees from anyone.

KantiBhai Roat, another founding member of the Bharat Adiwasi Party (BAP), shed light on the frequent intimidation faced by tribal individuals.

Roat himself experienced being a victim of false accusations during the Kakri Doongri movement. He reveals that he was not even present at the protest site during the incident.

In fact, he claims to have been engaged in a conversation with police officials at their office when his name was included in the FIR. This firsthand experience underscores the pervasive nature of false cases and highlights the urgent need for justice and accountability within the system.

He cited a recent incident in Udaipur, where a teacher in Mandwa, Kotra block, was subjected to intimidation by the sarpanch for mobilizing public support to construct a motorable road for easier school commutes. Roat expressed concern over the use of fear tactics, invoking the name of a BJP minister, and demanded legal action against those who threaten teachers, along with providing them security.

Furthermore, Roat emphasized that such dictatorial behavior by BJP workers would not be tolerated in scheduled areas. He asserted the discipline and self-respect of the tribal community, urging an end to intimidation tactics. Roat warned that continued harassment could lead to mobilization of the entire Bhil state against the government.

The Mooknayak had a conversation with Dayamani Barla, a prominent tribal journalist and activist from Jharkhand, renowned for her fervent opposition against Arcelor Mittal's steel plant in Eastern Jharkhand.

According to Dayamani, the practice of framing false cases against individuals from marginalized communities is neither new nor unfamiliar.

Reflecting on the highly publicized Pathalgadi movement in Jharkhand, she stated, "It was during the tenure of the BJP-led government in 2017-18 that the government initiated police cases against ten thousand people." Dayamani emphasized that the tribals, agitating for their rights, had committed no unlawful acts, yet they were unjustly charged with sedition.

Expressing disbelief, she questioned, "What had they done to be facing charges of sedition? It's unbelievable." Dayamani underscored that these events unfolded during the tenure of BJP's Raghubar Das government.

The Kakri Doongri Movement

The Kakri Doongri movement, spanning over a year, saw Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates in tribal districts of Dungarpur, Banswara and Udaipur in Rajasthan advocating for the recruitment of 1167 General category teachers’ posts lying vacant in the state. Beginning their peaceful protests at Kakri Dungri in Dungarpur district, their demands were met with governmental indifference.

After 18 days of peaceful demonstrations, the protesters took to the highway, leading to an eruption of violence. While it was acknowledged that outsider elements incited the violence, numerous organizations called for a transparent inquiry and compensation for those affected by the unrest. The aftermath of the violent protest witnessed the registration of over 24 FIRs, implicating approximately 7000 individuals, with many not even present at the scene. Activists decried the situation, highlighting the unjust targeting of innocent people, including school children, as victims of local political machinations.

A Deeper Dive into PNR Kurup's 'Pulayadi Makkal' Poem

The inclusion of the remix of PNR Kurup's poem "Pulayadi Makkal" adds depth to the narrative in 'Bharatha Circus', drawing attention to the enduring struggles of marginalized communities and the need for societal change.

The song is a poignant reflection on societal structures and the experiences of marginalized communities in Kerala, India. It delves into the themes of caste dynamics, inequality, and the struggle for identity and recognition.

The title "Pulayadi" refers to the Pulaya community, historically considered a lower caste in Kerala's caste hierarchy. The song emphasizes the significance of bridges, metaphorically implying that Pulayadi, or the Pulaya community, serves as a bridge for children, connecting them to their heritage, history, and identity.

The lyrics depict the interplay between different castes, such as Pulaya and Paraya, and how they are perceived within society. Despite the societal divisions and prejudices, there's a call for understanding and empathy towards these marginalized communities.

The reference to "new empire," "new buildings," and "new laws" reflects the changing times and the emergence of new power structures. However, the song suggests that despite these changes, the struggles and injustices faced by marginalized communities persist.

As the nation grapples with pressing issues of inequality and discrimination, "Bharatha Circus" emerges as a timely and essential cinematic reflection on the plight of the marginalized, resonating with audiences across diverse demographics.

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