'Jo Kaha Woh Karo': Why Thousands of Adivasis and Dalits Urge Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren to Fulfill Promises

Ranchi - Under the banner of Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, over 2,500 Adivasi, Dalits and indigenous people from across the state gathered in Ranchi to remind the Hemant Soren government of its unfulfilled election promises. The Mahasabha organized a one-day sit-in near Raj Bhawan to press for action on pending announcements and public issues.

The protest began with Elina Horo stating that during the 2024 assembly elections, the coalition parties promised action on issues like water, forest, land, identity, and self-governance. The Mahasabha had raised these concerns in a sit-in in September 2024 and met Chief Minister Hemant Soren, yet people are forced to protest again.

Aloka Kujur added that Adivasis and indigenous communities voted for the coalition to counter the "fascist, communal, and anti-Jharkhand" BJP, expecting action on public issues. However, the government has made decisions against Jharkhand’s interests, betraying the Adivasi-indigenous community.

Demka Soy highlighted that the Raghubar Das government had included 22 lakh acres of non-agricultural and community land in a land bank and amended the Land Acquisition Act in 2017 to enable forced acquisitions. Despite repeated promises, the coalition government has not reversed these policies. Basing Hessa remarked that the government’s indifference to implementing the PESA Act shows it does not want an ‘Abua Raj’ for Adivasis and indigenous people.

Shyamlal Mardi noted that the Pandit Dam has been auctioned to outsiders. Riyans Samad, associated with the Ichakdih Dam Opposition Committee in West Singhbhum, said JMM repeatedly promised not to build the Ichakdih Dam, but a recent TAC decision approved its construction, displacing hundreds of Adivasi families. People from Latehar and Palamu reported non-implementation of the Forest Rights Act, exposing the hollowness of the government’s ‘Abua Bir Dishum’ campaign. Nandkishore Ganju said private land titles are being issued with cuts, and community forest rights are not being granted at all.

Birendra Bhagat accused the Hemant Soren government of colluding with corporates like Adani to sell Jharkhand’s land. Mithilesh Dangi pointed out that villagers have been protesting against the proposed Gondulpura coal mine for 25 months, yet the government supports Adani. Helen Sundi stated that violations of rights to water, forest, land, and autonomy continue, alongside fake cases against Adivasi-Dalits and prolonged detention of undertrials.

Shiraj Dutta highlighted that security camps are being set up without Gram Sabha consent, with 80% of the state’s 14,500 prisoners being undertrials and 50% of jails overcrowded. The coalition had promised to release long-term undertrials and form a judicial commission for fake cases, but no action has been taken.

Dharma Valmiki from the Safai Karmchari Andolan said obtaining caste certificates is a struggle for Dalits, depriving many of education and job opportunities. Rashmi Yadav noted that despite repeated announcements, children in midday meals and Anganwadis are not getting eggs daily. Afzal Anis from the United Milli Forum said that while lynchings occurred under the BJP regime, religious violence against minorities continues under Hemant Soren’s government, with promises of an anti-lynching law remaining unfulfilled.

At the end of the sit-in, the Mahasabha submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister with the following demands:

1. Repeal the Land Acquisition Amendment Act (2017) and Land Bank policy immediately; establish and activate a Displacement and Rehabilitation Commission.

2. Fully implement the PESA Act.

3. Grant private and community forest rights claims without cuts.

4. Provide caste certificates and land titles to landless Dalits immediately.

5. Formulate a local and employment policy based on Adivasi-indigenous primacy.

6. Release long-term undertrials and quash fake cases.

7. Enact a special law against mob lynching.

8. Ensure daily eggs in Anganwadis and midday meals.