Explained: People's Vision for Abua Raj and Expectations for 2024 Jharkhand Election

Ranchi – The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (Save Democracy Campaign) organized a press conference at the Press Club in Ranchi, unveiling its manifesto for the upcoming assembly elections.

Under the banner "Abua Jharkhand, Abua Raj" (Our Jharkhand, Our Rule), the campaign urged political parties that stand for communal harmony and constitutional values to incorporate their demands into electoral manifestos. A detailed manifesto was handed to the state leadership of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Congress Party after the press briefing.

Evaluation of Hemant Soren's Government

The campaign’s leaders presented an evaluation of the last five years of the coalition government led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren. They acknowledged several positive initiatives in line with public expectations, including:

• Expansion of social security pension schemes.

• Introduction of the Maiya Samman Yojana.

• Aid provided to migrant workers during the COVID-19 lockdown.

• Agricultural loan waivers.

• Withdrawal of cases linked to the Pathalgadi and CNT-SPT movements.

• Stopping the expansion of the Netarhat Field Firing Range.

The Soren government also passed major legislations such as the 1932 Khatiyan-based domicile policy, 27% reservation for backward classes, and the recommendation for a "Sama religious code" for tribal identity. However, the Abhiyan stressed that many promises remain unfulfilled after five years.

Unfulfilled Promises

The campaign highlighted several critical promises that were left unmet, including:

• The repeal of land bank and land acquisition law amendments.

• Cancellation of the Icha-Kharkai dam project.

• Formulation of PESA (Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act) rules.

• Passage of a mob lynching law.

• Reopening of merged schools.

Moreover, the campaign criticized the lack of control over corruption in government schemes like MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) and called out the government for failing to implement essential welfare programs, such as providing eggs in mid-day meals and Anganwadis.

The Modi-led central government and the BJP were accused of attempting to destabilize the Soren government, with the central administration allegedly blocking various state policies.

Abua Raj Vision: A Public Manifesto for the 2024 Assembly Elections

Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan released a public manifesto with a sharp focus on the core issues for which the state was formed—land, forest, identity, Adivasi autonomy, and freedom from exploitation. The manifesto calls for immediate action in the first six months of any new government. Some of the key demands include:

• Repeal of the 2017 Land Acquisition Law and Land Bank Policy: The campaign demanded the cancellation of any projects established without Gram Sabha consent or opposed by local communities, particularly those violating land laws.

• Displacement and Rehabilitation Commission: The manifesto advocates for giving land to the displaced, landless, Dalits, and poor farmers, along with distributing pending forest rights pattas within three months of forming the government.

• Mining Tax and PESA Implementation: It urged the state to impose a mining tax and ensure that half the revenue goes to the Gram Sabha. Additionally, PESA rules must be implemented in Adivasi-dominated areas, like Kolhan and Damini Koh.

The manifesto also highlighted alarming issues within the state’s justice system, particularly the high number of undertrial prisoners. Most of the 15,000 undertrials, according to government data, belong to Adivasi, Dalit, backward caste, and Muslim communities, often jailed under false charges. The campaign called for:

• The release of undertrial prisoners who have been incarcerated for long periods without conviction.

• A judicial inquiry to close false cases against marginalized communities.

The campaign criticized the anti-Jharkhand domicile policy followed by the Raghubar Das government and called for the swift implementation of a Khatiyan-based domicile policy. The manifesto demands laws ensuring strong representation of Adivasis and Moolvasis in both private and government sectors, and priority for locals in police and administrative positions in Scheduled Areas.

Accusing various communal organizations of stoking divisive politics, the manifesto emphasized the importance of protecting Jharkhand's communal harmony. Key measures include:

• Prohibiting religious-specific structures in police stations, camps, and government offices.

• Removing religious flags and symbols from public places within 48 hours of religious events.

Education, Health, and Social Security Priorities

The Abhiyan emphasized the urgent need for reforms in Jharkhand’s public education and healthcare systems. The manifesto called for filling vacant positions from primary schools to district hospitals and ensuring quality in service delivery. The campaign also called for an increase in social security pensions to ₹3,000, an ₹800 daily wage under MGNREGA, and maternity benefits of ₹20,000 for all women, inspired by Tamil Nadu's model.

The manifesto stressed that the new government should prioritize fighting corruption at the ground level by ending the contractor system and establishing an active decentralized grievance redressal system. It also emphasized the need to make commissions like the Women's Commission, Human Rights Commission, and Information Commission fully functional.

The press conference featured prominent figures such as Ambika Yadav, Ajay Ekka, Aloka Kujur, Basing Hessa, Dinesh Murmu, Elina Horo, Nand Kishore Ganjhu, Riya Pingua, and Tom Kavala, who addressed the gathering and urged the political leadership to take these demands seriously for the betterment of Jharkhand.