Ranchi: With only two weeks remaining before Jharkhand's assembly elections, the INDIA alliance is facing mounting pressure to unveil its manifesto, as political commentators and grassroots campaigns argue that the BJP's agenda of communal division has already gained momentum. Advocates from the Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan have called on the INDIA alliance to counter this with a vision centered around the core issues of the state, including local autonomy, land rights, and socioeconomic empowerment.

The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan, a campaign focused on protecting Jharkhand's democratic values, issued a public manifesto a month ago, championing an "Abua Raj" – an inclusive government built on the principles of the Jharkhand movement. The manifesto emphasizes the need for the INDIA coalition to establish a clear path for the next five years that prioritizes Jharkhand’s identity, tribal autonomy, and protection from exploitation.

The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan advocates for urgent action on issues critical to the state’s foundation, including the repeal of the 2017 amendment to the Jharkhand Land Acquisition Act and the Land Bank policy. They also call for the establishment of a Displacement and Rehabilitation Commission, along with land distribution for Dalits, landless populations, and marginalized farmers.

The public manifesto also prioritizes the following key actions within the first six months of the next government:

1. Strengthening Tribal Autonomy: Implement PESA rules, the Sixth Schedule in tribal areas such as Kolhan and Damini Koh, and ensure distribution of pending forest land leases within three months.

2. Local Leadership in Employment: Enact laws to ensure representation of Jharkhand locals in both private and government sectors.

3. Identity and Rights for Displaced Populations: Simplify the process of obtaining caste and residential certificates for landless and displaced people, including holding distribution camps.

4. Public Services: Address vacancies in the education and healthcare sectors, with a goal to fill all positions within six months of government formation.

5. Addressing Malnutrition: Ensure that all children receive an egg daily in anganwadis and midday school meals and discontinue the centralized kitchen system in the midday meal program.

6. Anti-Corruption Measures and Grievance Redressal: Establish a decentralized grievance system to combat corruption in state-run welfare schemes.

The manifesto highlights the urgent need to reform Jharkhand’s administrative and police systems, which, as per the campaign, often function with a communal and anti-poor bias. It calls for the release of long-standing undertrial prisoners and the establishment of a high-level judicial commission to close cases against marginalized groups facing wrongful prosecution. Additionally, they demand a law against mob lynching to protect vulnerable communities.

With the elections drawing near, the Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan reiterates its hope that the INDIA coalition will commit to these reforms through a joint manifesto.