Jharkhand Movement Matriarch Mandakini Mahto Passes Away at 89

Sonari mourns the loss of Mandakini Mahto, a key figure in Jharkhand’s statehood struggle

Key Points:

– Mandakini Mahto, Jharkhand movement icon, dies at 89 in Jamshedpur.

– Known for her support to leaders during the 1980s statehood struggle.

– Leaders, including CM Hemant Soren, to pay tribute at her Sonari home.

JAMSHEDPUR – Mandakini Mahto, a prominent figure in Jharkhand’s statehood movement and matriarch of a family central to the cause, passed away on Sunday night at the age of 89. Her son, activist Astik Mahto, shared that she felt discomfort late at night and suffered a heart attack on the way to Tata Main Hospital.

Mandakini Mahto’s Sonari residence became a central point for the Jharkhand movement in the 1980s and 1990s, providing refuge and support to key leaders like Nirmal Mahto, Shailendra Mahto, and Sunil Mahto. A vast number of well-wishers gathered at her residence to pay their last respects, recognizing her lifelong commitment to the statehood cause. Her funeral procession began on Monday morning, with the last rites conducted by her son Astik Mahto at Bistupur’s Parvati Ghat.

Mandakini Mahto leaves behind a large family, including her son, daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her legacy is cherished by the people of Jharkhand, who remember her for selling her land to fund the movement for a separate state. Chief Minister Hemant Soren, deeply moved by the news, will visit her Sonari residence to offer condolences.