Remembering Dwaimati Hantal: A beacon of women’s and adivasi resistance

By Harsh Thakor*

It is necessary to recall the grassroots heroes who have contributed immensely to people’s struggles and quietly shaped the history of resistance in India. One such inspiring figure happens to be , a senior member of the Malkangiri Zilla Adivasi Sangh (MZAS) and a member of a small Left group, going by the name of Centre of Communist Revolutionaries of India. She passed away on January 16, 2025, at the age of 60, after battling diabetes for five years.

Born into a poor blacksmith family in , Hantal’s life was deeply intertwined with the collective struggles of the . Her association with the MZAS began around 1990, during the movement for drinking water. She soon emerged as a central figure in organizing women and mobilizing Adivasi communities in the Malkangiri region.

Hantal’s personal journey was marked by courage and conviction. After separating from her first husband, she dedicated herself fully to the Sangh at a time when it was undergoing reorganization and combating opportunistic trends. Working alongside women activists such as , , , and , she became part of a formidable team that led social campaigns and cultural initiatives—using songs and street plays to raise awareness against liquor consumption and social injustices.

One of her defining contributions was during the Padmagiri–Tulengudu timber struggle (1995–96), when the Sangh confronted the timber mafia and forest officials. This struggle became a landmark in building and a model of in the region.

Known for her quiet yet firm resolve, Hantal served as an organizer in the in for over two decades. Her work extended across numerous struggles—the movements for drinking water, forest land occupation, timber rights, the , and in . Through these campaigns, she helped deepen class consciousness and strengthen grassroots organization among Adivasi peasants.

Her most memorable leadership came during the drinking water movement of 1990–92, when villagers were suffering from and water-borne diseases. With remarkable courage, she led women’s teams to every village, organizing large gatherings and demonstrations at block and district headquarters to demand safe drinking water and adequate .

Dwaimati Hantal was known not only as a militant organizer but also for her warmth and humanity. She cared for her comrades when they were ill and often shielded them from threats by local goons. Her comrades affectionately called her “Nani”, or elder sister, for her protective and nurturing spirit.

Even after her personal hardships—including the breakup of her marriage—she never remarried, choosing instead to dedicate her entire life to the Sangh’s work. When many others withdrew under pressure or fatigue, she continued as a full-time activist with unwavering resolve.

She passed away at her sister’s home, and on January 28, 2025, a commemoration meeting was held by Sangh members to honor her memory and lifelong service.

Dwaimati Hantal’s life remains a testament to the resilience and courage of countless unnamed women and Adivasi leaders who have stood at the heart of people’s struggles—steadfast, compassionate, and unyielding in their pursuit of justice.

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Freelance journalist

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