Jharkhand: BJP’s Efforts to Destabilise State Government
Prakash Viplav
THE RSS is using various tactics to destabilise the Hemant Soren government of Jharkhand, and the BJP is utilising all central agencies, including the ED towards this end. Several central government ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah, are also pushing their agenda to destabilise the state government. Earlier this month, Home Minister Amit Shah visited Chaibasa, the headquarters of Jharkhand's tribal-dominated Kolhan division, and called for the removal of the Hemant Soren government, alleging that it was hindering the development of tribals and the state.
CONSPIRACY TO DIVIDE
The RSS-affiliated group ‘Jan Jatiya Suraksha Manch’ has raised the issue of delisting Christian tribals from the Schedule Tribes list, which aims to divide tribals into Christians and non-Christians. Meetings against Christian tribals are being organised in Jharkhand's tribal-dominated areas by bringing groups of RSS-supporting tribals from other states. Under this banner, a demonstration was organised in Ranchi, with leaders of the Jharkhand BJP also participating. Behind this programme of RSS, there is a conspiracy to deprive the tribal Christian population of their land rights, which are protected under the law. This would pave the way for accelerating the loot of tribal land and sharpening ethnic divisions among the tribal population.
A controversy was created by a notification issued by the ministry of environment, forest, and climate change of the central government, declaring ‘Sri Samved Shikhar’ an eco-sensitive zone for tourism purposes. This mountain in Jharkhand is a pilgrimage site for the Jain community and a traditional place for the tribal community, known as ‘Marang Buru’. Previously, there was no dispute between the two communities, but the RSS incited a division. They supported the Jain community's demand to limit the area to a pilgrimage site, while simultaneously employing their tribal outfits to oppose the Jain community's demands and protect their traditional ‘Marang Buru’. Both groups became agitated, and a strong media campaign was launched to mislead people and blame the Hemant Soren government for the conversion of the pilgrimage site to a tourism destination. CPI(M) appealed for the restoration of harmony and the maintenance of unity among the people. Eventually, the central government withdrew its notification.
YOUTH UNREST
In the meantime, the Jharkhand High Court has cancelled the amendment made by the state government in the Examination Conduct Rules related to employment, which was made in 2021. As a result, the ongoing recruitment process for 11,000 positions and some appointments made through it have been cancelled.The revised rule made it mandatory for candidates of the general quota to pass matriculation and inter examinations from Jharkhand and have knowledge of local customs, language, and environment. However, this amendment was deemed a violation of Articles 14 and 16 of the constitution by the court, which directed the Staff Selection Commission to start the appointment process afresh. The court's decision resulted in a section of the unemployed becoming angry and taking to the streets. During the preparation of this amendment, the CPI(M) suggested that the state government call an all-party meeting to discuss the state's employment policy and find an acceptable and workable solution. However, the state government hastily passed a bill to increase the reservation quota for OBC, ST, and SCs, based on a survey record from 1932 or earlier, and sent it to the governor.
After these two bills become law, a proposal to include them in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution has also been recommended to be sent to the central government through the governor. The process of making these two bills into law is time-consuming. In this bill, only local people will have the right to get jobs for Class 3 and Class 4 posts based on khatian (survey record). A delegation of all political parties in the state, except the BJP, has met the governor regarding this issue. However, CPI (M) has issued a statement and written a letter to the chief minister stating that the khatian of 1932 cannot be considered the sole basis of sthaniyata policy because in 2002, the Jharkhand High Court's five-member bench cancelled this basis of sthaniyata, stating that the state's sthaniyata policy should be rational. The CPI (M) has demanded a sthaniyata policy on this issue that does not weaken the class unity of the working people of Jharkhand.
Meanwhile, the state government has significantly increased the court fees. In response to the call from the Jharkhand Advocates Association, lawyers began boycotting work in all courts throughout the state, resulting in a standstill of court proceedings. This led to a confrontation between the Jharkhand Bar Association and Advocates Association. However, with the intervention of the Central Bar Association, the lawyers ultimately withdrew their boycott.
Taking an initiative on this issue, CPI(M), along with other Left-leaning parties, organised a protest against the increase in court fees. CPI(M) demanded that the state government study the Kerala model of court fees and implement it as a fairer and more just alternative.
BUILDING STRUGGLES
Recently, the central government, including major PSUs like Coal India and SAIL, have started evicting people who have been living on the acquired land for many years in the name of removing encroachments. However, the issue of rehabilitating and providing employment to many people from the acquired land is still pending. Under the leadership of the CPI(M) and various mass organisations, continuous agitations are taking place against the removal of people without rehabilitation in two industrial districts of the state, Dhanbad and Bokaro. False cases have been filed against hundreds of people, including CPI(M) leaders, in Dhanbad. A CITU activist who is a regular worker and is part of leading this movement was terminated by the BCCL (Bharat Coking Coal Limited) management. However, due to the continuous movement and pressure, the management had to withdraw his termination. Similarly, when there was eviction of local tribals for the expansion of Ranchi airport, our mass organisations intervened and demanded their rehabilitation. In Bokaro, effective demonstrations have been held before the district administration to raise the issues of the displaced people and around 5,000 people have participated.
In Jharkhand, during the Kharif season, 226 out of 264 blocks in 22 districts became dry. The CPI(M) and the Kisan Sabha have been continuously campaigning demanding the state government to declare these blocks as drought-affected areas and have organised demonstrations in 69 blocks of 17 districts, in which more than 8000 farmers participated. The pressure from this movement had an effect, and the state government announced Rs 6,705 crore in cash relief for farmers affected by drought. However, the process of payment of relief amounts is complicated, and many poor farmers are unable to access this relief. So far, 22 lakh farmers have applied for this grant.
Farmers are facing huge problems due to numerous errors in the digitisation of land records by the Jharkhand government. On the issue, the CPI(M) had called for a state wide movement, and demonstrations were organised in 62 block headquarters in 16 districts, with over 6000 people participating.
Most villages living near the forests in Kolhan and North Chhotanagpur divisions of the state are suffering from the menace and terror of elephants due to the indiscriminate felling of the forest and due to illegal mining. Elephants come to the villages from their roaming area in search of food and destroy crops, eat stored grains, and sometimes crush villagers who come in front of them. In the last two months, more than a dozen farmers have been killed in elephant attacks. The CPI(M) has organised demonstrations in about 21 blocks in this area and demanded a permanent solution to this problem. The government has now announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakhs to the family of the person who died in the elephant attack.
Continuous campaigns are also underway against rising inflation and the increasing attacks on the livelihoods of the general public. As part of this, a wide campaign was carried out in 10 districts, and demonstrations were held at nine district headquarters and 31 block headquarters.
School Education has suffered after pandemic, resulting in children being forced out of learning. A big survey was conducted by People’s Science Movement organisations on the grave situation of school education, on the issues of school merger and mid-day meal, leading to large-scale privatisation and deprivation of dalit and tribal children. Survey reports were discussed with the education minister and the state government has assured to regularise the services of para teachers and take appropriate action on school merger.
