Recently, we—24 Jesuit tertians and instructors from St. Stanislaus College, Sitagarha—embarked on a pilgrimage to “Punyabhoomi” (Sacred Ground), the site of Fr. Anchanickal T. Thomas’s martyrdom in Jharkhand’s Karanpura Valley. This mineral-rich valley, long mined by NTPC and now Adani Corporation, is shrouded in coal dust. Visiting this sacred site, I was deeply moved by Fr. A. T. Thomas’s legacy—a Jesuit who sacrificed his life for justice. Fr. Arockia Sasi, S.J., of the Hazaribag province, shared Fr. Thomas’s story: from his humble Kerala roots to the forests of Hazaribag, his unwavering commitment to the marginalized Mahadalit communities reflected his compassionate yet resolute spirit against India’s deep-seated social injustices.

Growing up in Kerala, Fr. A. T. witnessed widespread structural inequalities that fuelled his dedication to social justice. Joining the Hazaribag Jesuits, he was drawn to the struggles of the Mahadalit community, who endured cycles of debt and dependency under oppressive landlords and moneylenders. Fr. A. T. and his companions became voices for these marginalized communities, offering legal support to reclaim land, education for their children, and raising awareness of their rights. They inspired the Dalits to assert their dignity and claim their rightful place in society, challenging their bondage as landless laborers subjected to inhumane conditions.

As their work gained traction, some of the exploiters found themselves facing justice, including imprisonment. Fr. A. T.’s efforts were instrumental in securing land for 15 families in bonded labour, allowing them to settle in a village he aptly named Azadi Nagar (Freedom village), a name brimming with the promise of freedom. This act of defiance and solidarity drew the ire of the upper castes, who viewed his actions as a direct threat to their dominance. Threats against him escalated, prompting his Jesuit provincial to send him to the Philippines for further studies. Yet even from afar, Fr. A. T.’s heart remained tethered to the people he had come to serve so selflessly.

In 1997, he returned to the villages to conduct field research as part of his studies, and it was during this visit that his life was tragically cut short. One fateful day, Fr. A. T. encountered a group of men in police attire assaulting a group of Dalits. True to his mission, he intervened, but in an instant, he was recognized by one of the men as the person responsible for his imprisonment. What followed was a brutal assault, with the assailants dragging him away, deaf to the pleas of the Dalits to spare his life. He was assaulted and dragged for about three kilometres. On the third day, on October 24, his tortured, decapitated body was discovered deep within the forest, a haunting testament to the cost he paid for his faith and advocacy.

Visiting the site of Fr. A. T. Thomas’s martyrdom was not only a poignant reminder of the great sacrifice he made but also a testament to the lasting impact of his mission.

Though brutally silenced at the close of the 20th century, Fr. A. T.’s legacy endures, fuelling a powerful movement for justice and empowerment among the marginalized Dalit and tribal communities he championed. His mission lives on through the collaborative efforts of Jesuits and Franciscan Clarist sisters. Jesuits have established tuition centres across 54 villages in the three districts of Hazaribag, Chhatra, and Koderma. In each village, young, educated locals are trained to run these centres, each serving 20-30 Dalit children. These centres act not only as places of learning but as beacons of hope, offering children access to education, resources for state exams, and pathways to further opportunities such as teacher training and diploma courses. Through these initiatives, young people are finding pathways to uplift themselves, their families, and their communities. The ripple effect is palpable: over the past 27 years, many who began in these tuition centres have gone on to become role models, encouraging others to dream beyond the limitations historically imposed upon them.

The work in these villages remains deeply challenging. Progress is slow—not only due to logistical hurdles but also because it confronts entrenched, centuries-old oppression. Each October 24, nearly two thousand people gather at Punyabhoomi to honour Fr. A. T. Thomas’s martyrdom with a heartfelt song. Fr. Pankaj Paul Kujur, S.J., shared a translated line: “AT Baba, please come back… we need education, we need roads, we need our lands, we are in darkness…” Though darkness persists, the resilient religious groups here remain steadfast, embodying Fr. A. T.’s spirit of justice and human dignity. In the quiet determination of these individuals and the hopeful dreams of young Dalits, his legacy lives on. His martyrdom reminds us that while the journey to justice may be arduous, every small, courageous step leaves a lasting impact.

• Fr Sanil Mayilkunnel, S. J
  sanilmayil@gmail.com