From ‘Chethri’ to Champions: How Cricket United a Divided Community in Jharkhand
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A small town in Jharkhand became the unlikely site of a powerful lesson in inclusivity, as a group of young cricketers defied prejudice and built a team founded on unity and mutual respect.
Madhupur, a town reminiscent of the idyllic settings in R.K. Laxman’s Malgudi Days, is a place where life moves at a slower pace, yet pulses with a vibrant cultural and sporting spirit. Cricket and football are passions for the youth, with the latter gaining particular traction due to the town’s proximity to West Bengal. But for Manjit Thakur, and a group of his friends, cricket became more than just a game – it became a catalyst for social change.
The Sting of Exclusion
The story begins with a harsh reality. After completing his 12th standard, Thakur, along with several friends from Dalit and Muslim communities, approached a prominent local cricket club hoping to join its ranks. Their enthusiasm was met with blatant discrimination. “We won’t let these low-class people play. How can they play with us!” a club member reportedly stated, revealing a deep-seated prejudice.
Thakur and his teammates were stunned. Having grown up celebrating both Holi and Eid together, the notion of being excluded based on faith or caste was foreign to them. Dejected, they returned home, unsure of where to turn. In Madhupur, as elsewhere in the region, members of the Scheduled Castes, Dalits, and Pasmanda Muslims were locally referred to as “Chethri,” a derogatory term meaning “ragged or tattered people.”
A Brother’s Response and the Birth of a Club
Thakur’s elder brother, Mangal, a cricketer himself who had played at the inter-district level, was deeply disturbed by the incident. Recognizing the injustice, he took immediate action. That very evening, he announced the formation of a new cricket team comprised entirely of those who had been rejected.
The team found an unexpected ally in Hashi Rashi Bose, the headmistress of the local Anchi Devi Girls’ High School. She generously permitted them to use the school’s expansive seven to eight-hectare ground, a verdant space shaded by Bael, Shisham, Teak, Mango, Jackfruit, Champa, and Jujube trees.
Initially named the “Chethri Cricket Club” – a bold and defiant statement – the team later adopted the name “National Rising Club,” though the original moniker remained a symbol of their origins and their fight against prejudice. Mangal Thakur instilled a powerful ethos within the team, demanding an oath of unity both on and off the field.
A Team Forged in Inclusivity
The team’s spirit of inclusivity extended to its very identity. Players were affectionately nicknamed after cricketing legends from both India and Pakistan. A key batsman was dubbed “Jayasuriya” after the Sri Lankan star, while the wicket-keeper became “Moin” after Pakistan’s Moin Khan. A left-handed batsman was known as “Saeed Anwar,” and fast bowlers were christened “Srinath” and “Prasad.” Thoughtfully, the team deliberately mixed the naming conventions, assigning names of Hindu cricketers to Muslim players and vice versa.
This wasn’t just about playful nicknames; it was a deliberate act of solidarity. The team became a microcosm of the harmonious society they envisioned. One Muslim teammate, Imran, an all-rounder who both bowled and batted with skill, became a central figure. The team regularly visited his home during Eid, sharing sheer khurma (vermicelli pudding), and enjoyed biryani during Eid al-Adha – a tradition that provided Thakur with his first taste of the beloved dish. Similarly, during Holi, Thakur’s home hosted the team, with his mother serving tamarind chutney and malpuas alongside jackfruit curry.
Lessons Beyond the Boundary
The Chethri Cricket Club, and later the National Rising Club, offered more than just a platform for sporting competition. It became a powerful lesson in the values of unity, respect, and the celebration of talent regardless of background. As Thakur reflects, the experience taught him that sport should unite, not divide.
The author, a fast bowler on the team, remains coy about the nickname his teammates bestowed upon him, leaving a touch of mystery to a story already rich with meaning. The club’s legacy extends beyond the cricket pitch, serving as a testament to the power of sport to overcome prejudice and build a more inclusive society.
Readers are welcome to share their experiences of communal harmony or interreligious friendship on [email protected] for publication – Editor.
