State celebrates Tribal Day amid protest over changes to land laws
RANCHI/JAMSHEDPUR: Dressed in traditional colourful attire, tribals celebrated the World Tribal Day across the state on Tuesday amid protests against the government’s ordinance for amending the tribal land laws.
In Ranchi, the Bharat Munda Samaj organised a rally from Rajendra Chowk to Albert Ekka Chowk. A few political leaders also joined in the celebrations.
Former chief minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren said the rich cultural heritage of the state must be preserved by the indigenous people.
Tribals constitute 26.6% of the state’s 3.2 crore population. “It is a matter of great pride that Jharkhand’s tribal people love nature and they have also contributed in preserving it. More number of people should take part in such functions to make them a success,” said Soren.
The theme for this year’s World Tribal day is right to education for the indigenous people.
Former chief minister and BJP leader Arjun Munda, sporting traditional tribal headgear at the rally, said: “As per the theme of this year’s tribal day, we have taken a resolution to improve education among all the ethnic groups of the world.”
Akhil Bhartiya Aadiwasi Vikas Parishad and CPI- ML took out protest rallies against the state’s ordinance amending the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act and Santhal Pargana Act.
The amendments allow the acquisition of agricultural tribal land for development. The ordinance awaits the President’s approval and tribal leaders of at least 30 organisations of Jharkhand will also meet Pranab Mukherjee in this regard.
They feel this will lead to private firms acquiring their lands and exploiting them.
Ranchi University vice chancellor Ramesh Kumar Pandey said it was a very important day and should be celebrated with full fervour. Tribal organisations in Kolhan division emphasised on protecting cultural identity and social coexistence in the state. Tribal leaders demanded Sarna religion code for them in government records.
Tribal artists from across the state organised cultural events at Gopal Maidan, Utkal Samaj in Jamshedpur, Kadajamda in Noamundi and other locations.
Tata Steel celebrated the day with tribals in traditional concept of ‘akhara’.
Member of West Singhbhum Zila Parishad, Laxmi Suren, lamented over the decreasing tribal population. “Tribal’s population of Jharkhand in 1931 was 38.06% while it decreased to 26.02% in the 2011 census. We believe in social co-existence and must protect tribal identity.”