Lokesh Sori, who had been fighting cultural hegemony in Chhattisgarh, passed away on 11 July at the Komaldev District Hospital in Kanker. He had maxillary cancer. Earlier, he was being treated at Raipur’s Dr Ambedkar Hospital. He made the headlines on 28 September 2017 when he had an FIR filed at the Pankhajur police station in Kanker against those insulting Bahujan mythological heroes. Intellectuals from all over the country, across different states, have sent their condolences:
I knew that Lokesh was unwell. The news of his death has saddened me. He was a brave friend of our society. He fought for the honour of the ancestors of Gond society. He will always be an inspiration. – Tirumaya Chandralekha Kangali, writer, and scholar on Adivasi culture
I got to know about the death of Lokesh Sori, the fierce opponent of cultural hegemony. It deeply pained my heart. We started the struggle for Dalitbahujan identity but he took it to new heights. We will forever remember him for this. – Premkumar Mani, sociopolitical thinker and litterateur
The news of Lokesh Sori’s passing has left me in grief. The passing of such a courageous person will harm the nation. – Nandini Sundar, professor of sociology, Delhi School of Economics
Lokesh Sori fought for the honour of our community. We are all pained by his passing. But I want to say this to those who say his illness was the curse of gods and goddesses: One of us died from an illness but an even more severe illness has entered your minds. – Ushakiran Atram, Gond linguist and litterateur
In our society, people do not openly oppose the insult of their ancestors. Lokesh was one of them who not only openly opposed the insult of our ancestors but also had the courage to take the appropriate initiative to seek justice. His death is a loss for our entire society. – Manish Kunjam, former MLA, Chhattisgarh
Forward Press family is grieving the death of Lokesh Sori. He was put in Jail for telling the truth, and there his sinusitis turned into cancer. His desire to live was such that, till his last breath, he kept fighting not only the illness but also cultural hegemony. Political power couldn’t break him and he didn’t bow to the majority. His sacrifice has inspired and freshly energised us. – Pramod Ranjan, managing editor, Forward Press
Translation: Anil
Forward Press also publishes books on Bahujan issues. Forward Press Books sheds light on the widespread problems as well as the finer aspects of Bahujan (Dalit, OBC, Adivasi, Nomadic, Pasmanda) society, culture, literature and politics. Contact us for a list of FP Books’ titles and to order. Mobile: +917827427311, Email: info@forwardmagazine.in)
The titles from Forward Press Books are also available on Kindle and these e-books cost less than their print versions. Browse and buy:
The Case for Bahujan Literature
Dalit Panthers: An Authoritative History
Mahishasur: Mithak wa Paramparayen
The Case for Bahujan Literature
Dalit Panthers: An Authoritative History
