Kolkata, 6 May (H.S.) –
As tensions between India and Pakistan escalate following the brutal killing of 25 civilians by Islamic terrorists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, remembering those who laid down their lives for the nation becomes more vital than ever. One such forgotten but inspiring hero is Churka Murmu—a young tribal man who valiantly resisted the Pakistani army during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War but remains absent from official records.
Born on July 2, 1951, in Chak Ramprasad village of present-day Paschim Medinipur district in West Bengal, Churka Murmu belonged to the Santhal tribe. At just 20 years old, he was a promising student. But when the threat of war loomed over his village, he rose with unwavering patriotism to defend his homeland.
According to noted RSS leader and author Advait Charan Dutta in his book Amar Shaheed Churka Murmu, around 4:30 AM on August 18, 1971, nearly 60–70 Pakistani soldiers disguised as Mukti Bahini fighters infiltrated Chak Ramprasad village and launched an attack on the nearby BSF camp. As panic spread and villagers fled, Churka stayed behind. He alerted both the villagers and the BSF, who had only four jawans at the time. When they needed help carrying ammunition, Churka volunteered alongside two friends.
Tragically, when Pakistani forces encircled them, the BSF jawans surrendered and his friends fled. But Churka neither surrendered nor fled. Crawling through the fields, he began throwing ammunition boxes into a pond to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. While tossing the final box, he fell into the pond and was shot dead by Pakistani troops.
Though India eventually won the war and Bangladesh gained independence, Churka Murmu made the ultimate sacrifice for his motherland. His act of courage remains immortal in the memories of those who knew him.
Since 1982, the Churka Murmu Smriti Committee has been commemorating his sacrifice annually with Kabaddi and archery competitions, and scholarships for meritorious students, to instill patriotism among the youth.
In 2016, Churka finally received rare recognition when Union Minister S.S. Ahluwalia paid tribute at his village. But as Dutta notes in his book, Churka’s identity as a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) volunteer may be a reason why his heroism has yet to be officially acknowledged. His story is chronicled in regional history but remains absent from government records.
As border tensions rise again, Churka Murmu’s legacy reminds us that patriotism requires no uniform—only courage, conviction, and the will to stand for the nation when it matters most.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
