Tribals in Jharkhand have adopted a unique way to protest chief minister Raghubar Das’ anti-tribal policies and decisions.
Locals purify any place wherever Das pays homage to tribal freedom fighters, claiming the CM’s presence pollutes the “holy area”, Hindustan Times reported.
On Tuesday, a tribal community, under the banner of Birsa Seva Dal (BSD), purified Raghubar Das’ home constituency after he garlanded the Birsa Munda statue in the area during a program. They purified the statue and the pahari by using water, and put mud on the plaque.
Similarly, the tribals had earlier also purified the Kharsawan Shahid Sthal claiming that Das had dishonoured the site by paying homage to the martyrs on January 1 2016.
Jharkhand CM had drawn severe criticism for his anti-tribal policies, including Chhotanagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act and Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Act.
Local tribals accused that the government has been taking steps to deprive them from those rights Birsa Munda and other leaders had secured after historic struggle and sacrifice.
“By garlanding the Birsa Munda’s statue, the CM has disrespected the leader who sacrificed his life for the rights of tribals. It was Munda’s struggle that ensured the CNT and SPT Acts for tribals. With amendments to these two laws and paving the way for purchase of tribal land by general public, Das has taken steps to deprive tribals of their rights. He is hatching a conspiracy to end tribal existence in Jharkhand,” senior BSD leader Kunjan Lakra was quoted by Hindustan Times as saying.
It is to be noted that the Jharkhand government had passed the CNT-SPT amendment Act allowing acquisition of tribal lands for development and welfare works in Jharkhand in December 2016.
