Tribal identity takes poll position

Soren government's nod to form a panel to study plight of tribals of Jharkhand staying in Assam and other states has sparked debates, even as both JMM and BJP claim to protect tribal rights, analyses ADITI PHADNIS

- ADITI PHADNIS

On September 25, just before elections to the Legislative Assembly were announced, Jharkhand Chief Minister (CM) Hemant Soren announced a committee tasked with carrying out an economic and social survey of tribals of Jharkhand origin in Assam and elsewhere, like Andaman and Nicobar, to ensure they get their due rights.

“Tribals from Jharkhand were taken to other places such as Assam and Andaman and Nicobar by the British. Their number is about 1.5 to 2 million and they are fighting for their rights. It is known that tribals are working in Assam tea gardens but they have not been given Scheduled Tribe (ST) status so far and are debarred from the welfare schemes meant for them,” Soren said.

His remarks came soon after Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Jharkhand Assembly co-in-charge, launched a sharp attack on the Soren government’s unfulfilled promises to the state’s tribal communities. Soren hit back by urging Sarma to address the concerns of Jharkhandi tribals in Assam before criticising his government.