Despite 79 years of India’s independence and 25 years since Jharkhand became a separate state, the exploitation of Adivasi lands, forests, and minerals continues. The Adivasi dream of a prosperous Jharkhand has been shattered. Their most critical concern remains the protection of jal-jungle-jameen (water-forest-land), which is deeply tied to their religious and cultural heritage. Losing this land threatens their very identity and emotions.
Violation of Land Protection Laws
Although laws such as the CNT/SPT Act and Wilkinson's Rule were enacted to protect Adivasi lands, government officials have failed to implement them fully. Adivasis are left helplessly running from office to office, with no resolution.
Jharkhand was formed to preserve Adivasi identity and provide employment, education, healthcare, and development opportunities. Instead, it has become a police-ruled state where Adivasi protests, like the one against the Tapkara Firing Range, were met with violence and deaths.
In Godda, land was forcibly taken for the Adani Power Plant by bulldozing fertile agricultural land. In Nagri, over 200 acres of Adivasi agricultural land were attempted to be seized. In Kanke block, around 217 acres of land belonging to 85% Adivasi raiyats (landholders) across several villages were once returned after protests, but the government has since stopped issuing receipts, making legal ownership uncertain.
In Gumla, 19 villages are resisting land acquisition for highway construction, demanding that roads be built on alternate land. Despite massive displacement due to dams, industries, railways, and mining, Adivasis were never compensated with employment.
Social Neglect and Exploitation
Education remains poor; many tribal schools have been shut down. Healthcare facilities are lacking, and malnutrition is rampant. Adivasis struggle daily for basic documents like caste and residence certificates.
Even their constitutional rights to reservation in jobs are not being fulfilled. Instead, these are marred by corruption. Despite existing protections under SC/ST Atrocities Act and the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006, Adivasis continue to face land dispossession, abuse, and even false accusations of being Naxalites, leading to extrajudicial killings like those of Kunwar Manjhi and Surya Narayan Hansda.
Thousands of innocent Adivasis remain imprisoned without justice.
Primary Demands of the Adivasi Sangharsh Morcha
Immediate formation of a Jharkhand State Tribal Commission.
Implementation of a Sarna Religious Code to recognize Adivasi faith officially.
All districts and blocks with significant Adivasi populations (like Ramgarh, Hazaribagh, Dhanbad, Bokaro) should be included in Scheduled Areas under the Fifth Schedule.
Enforce the PESA Act (1996) with stricter rules in Jharkhand.
Announce a clear local policy ensuring education, healthcare, and employment for Adivasis.
Guarantee land rights under the Forest Rights Act for Adivasis residing and farming in forest areas.
Declare August 9 as a national holiday for World Adivasi Day.
Increase the MGNREGA budget to prevent Adivasi migration and ensure local employment.
Stop land acquisition for the NH-43 (Bharatmala Project) affecting 19 villages in Gumla.
Stop forced land acquisition in Nagri and construct RIMS-2 elsewhere.
Resume land receipts issuance for 217 acres of Adivasi land in Kanke (villages like Badhu, Jamuwari, Madanpur, etc.).
Stop Tiger Safari project in Palamu and protect 8 villages in Barwadih-Futwa hill region.
Issue caste, residence, and income certificates within 10 days as per law.
Abolish the land bank created on non-registered land (Gairmazarua) and resume issuing receipts.
Preserve endangered tribal languages and include tribal/regional languages in the curriculum.
CBI investigation into the alleged fake encounter killing of Surya Narayan Hansda.
Strict enforcement of CNT/SPT Act and Wilkinson Rule.
Withdraw all false cases filed against Adivasis and release innocent tribal prisoners.
Immediate execution of SAR court orders for specific land disputes (e.g., Somra Pahan vs. Bulku Rai; Balram Oraon vs. Anant Kumar Majumdar, etc.).
Land restoration in Ramgarh, Palkot, Dudgi, Kurse, and other areas as per judicial orders.
Cancel all fake land receipts issued to non-Adivasis and return the land to rightful tribal owners.
Regularize land possession of 23 landless Adivasi families in Munda Toli, Gola.
Compensation of ₹50 lakhs and government job to the family of Anu Bedia (died during police recruitment in Dhanbad).
Compensation of ₹50 lakhs and government job to the family of Mantos Bedia (died due to falling roof in Ranchi University library).
Expedite issuance of land receipts for long-pending land registers (like Paji 2 in Dulmi, Urba).
Cancel fake receipts issued by non-tribals on Adivasi land in Vanjara, Bokaro, and ensure legal protection.
Strict action under SC/ST Atrocities Act against anyone involved in land grabbing, assault, or sexual violence against Adivasis.
Issue official notification for proposed Panchayats like Kundauri, Pachora, Baidmara, etc., which are currently neglected
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