Government Funds Were Sanctioned for a Santhal Sacred Site in Malda, West Bengal. A “Miriyam Thaan” Stands There Instead.

An investigation into alleged diversion of government funds meant for a Santhal religious site in Malda and the official silence that followed

State Government funds allocated for the construction and future maintenance of a Majhir Thaan, a traditional religious site of the Santhal community, has allegedly been used for the construction of “Miriyam Thaan” at the same location in Malda, West Bengal.

The Jaher Banga Santal Marangburu Bidin Dharmiya Shamaaj, a registered social and religious trust based in Malda, submitted written complaints to the District Magistrate of Malda, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes and the West Bengal Scheduled Tribes Commission on 10.06.2026 demanding answers and accountability.

Where did the government funds go?

According to the documents examined by Hindu Voice, the West Bengal Government allocated ₹38,000 during FY 2017–18 specifically for the construction, maintenance and development of a Majhir Thaan adjacent to a mobile network tower near Rautera village, under Habibpur Police Station.

Yet the structure standing at the site today is a “Miriyam Thaan” instead of the traditional Santhal religious site.

That is the central discrepancy.

What Hindu Voice found

Members of Hindu Voice personally visited the site and found the structure identified as a Miriyam Thaan.

The organisation also interviewed more than two dozen local residents. Those interviewed consistently alleged that Christian missionaries constructed the structure with the assistance of certain government officials, and accused officials of facilitating the alleged misuse of the government allocation.

Such allegations demand transparency. The local administration must disclose the original sanction order, elease and expenditure records and details of the implementing authority or contractor.

If the money was properly utilised, the government can establish that through its own records.

If it was not, those responsible must answer for it.

The trust says officials knew

The Jaher Banga Santal Marangburu Bidin Dharmiya Shamaaj alleges that local government officials were aware of both the alleged misuse of funds and the construction of the disputed structure, yet failed to act.

The trust had already approached the Habibpur BDO on 29 April 2026 before being forced to approach the  Central Government and higher authorities after weeks of inaction.

They escalated the matter to the District Magistrate of Malda, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes and the West Bengal Scheduled Tribes Commission on 10th June.

According to the complainant organisation, no decisive action has followed even after those complaints. Not even 2 months after the State Government had demanded a thorough investigation and a conclusive action report from the BDO.

That makes the conduct of the administration itself a central part of the issue.