Tribal bodies announce statewide protest over Delimitation

PNS

Ranchi 

Tribal organisations in Jharkhand have announced a statewide agitation over the proposed delimitation exercise, asserting that while they are not opposed to delimitation itself, they will strongly resist any reduction in Lok Sabha and Assembly seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs).

As part of the campaign, a state-level Tribal Unity Mega Rally will be held at Morabadi Ground in Ranchi on August 30, with participation expected from tribal communities across all 24 districts of Jharkhand. Ahead of the event, awareness campaigns will be launched through public outreach vehicles, and district-level coordination committees will be constituted.

Social activist Laxmi Narayan Munda said delimitation is directly linked to political representation and expressed concern that the Centre’s proposed population-based exercise could lead to a reduction in ST-reserved constituencies. He clarified that tribal organisations are not opposing the delimitation process but are against any attempt to reduce reserved seats under its guise.

Munda also alleged that several constitutional safeguards meant to protect tribal communities have not been effectively implemented over the past 75 years. He said large-scale land acquisition for development projects had led to displacement and migration of tribal populations, adversely affecting their demographic representation. He further claimed that these concerns had not received adequate attention from constitutional authorities, including the Governor and the President.

Central Sarna Committee president Ajay Tirkey said the organisation welcomed delimitation in principle but would not accept any reduction in reserved seats. “The losses and neglect suffered by tribal communities over the past 75 years should first be addressed. Only then should delimitation be taken up,” he said.