Surendra Soren
Ranchi
Tribal leaders, social activists and community representatives on Sunday held a meeting at the residence of former Jharkhand minister Bandhu Tirkey to discuss the proposed delimitation exercise and its potential impact on the political representation of Scheduled Tribes in the state. The meeting also reviewed preparations for the proposed “Adivasi Ekta Mahajutan Rally” scheduled to be held at Morabadi Ground in Ranchi on August 30, 2026.
Participants expressed concern that the proposed delimitation could reduce the political representation of tribal communities if the state’s unique historical, constitutional and demographic circumstances are not taken into account. Speakers recalled the 2002–08 delimitation process, during which a proposal to reduce the number of Scheduled Tribe-reserved Assembly constituencies in Jharkhand from 28 to 22 was ultimately not implemented following widespread opposition.
The meeting emphasized that Jharkhand’s Fifth Schedule areas, along with the protections provided under the Chotanagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act and Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Act, should receive due consideration during the delimitation process. Speakers argued that population figures alone should not determine constituency boundaries in regions affected by historical displacement and development projects.
An appeal was made to social organisations, intellectuals, students, youth groups, women’s organisations and the general public to participate in large numbers in the proposed rally to demonstrate support for safeguarding the constitutional and political rights of tribal communities.
The meeting was attended by Bandhu Tirkey, Dayamani Barla, Laxmi Narayan Munda, Shashi Panna, Vasavi Kido, Vinay Oraon and several representatives from different districts across Jharkhand.
