Tribal organisations voice concern over proposed delimitation; 'Adivasi Ekta Mahajutan Rally' announced for August 2, all-party meeting on June 28
Ranchi: Amid growing concerns within the tribal community over the proposed delimitation of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies after 2026, a seminar-cum-panel discussion on "Impact of Delimitation on Tribal Society and Possible Solutions" was held at the Ranchi Press Club on Sunday. Social activists, public representatives, members of people's organisations and representatives of various tribal bodies from across Jharkhand participated in the discussion and deliberated on the likely impact of the proposed exercise.
Addressing the gathering, former minister and member of the Jharkhand Government Coordination Committee Bandhu Tirkey asserted that no adverse impact of the delimitation process on the tribal community would be allowed in Jharkhand. He said any attempt to reduce the number of Scheduled Tribe (ST) reserved Assembly or Lok Sabha seats would be strongly opposed through democratic and constitutional means.
Tirkey said the Constitution provides special safeguards for Scheduled Tribes to protect their social, cultural and political rights. Any move that weakens the spirit of these constitutional provisions, particularly by reducing reserved seats, would be against the Constitution's core values, he added.
Speakers observed that in a tribal-majority state like Jharkhand, delimitation is not merely a matter of redrawing electoral boundaries but is closely linked to the political representation of Scheduled Tribes, constitutional rights, protection of Fifth Schedule areas and democratic participation. They cautioned that delimitation based solely on population figures could adversely affect tribal political representation.
The participants recalled that the Delimitation Commission constituted in 2002 had proposed reducing the number of ST-reserved Assembly seats in Jharkhand from 28 to 22 and Lok Sabha seats from five to four. Following widespread protests across the state, the Central Government amended the Delimitation Act in 2008, retaining all 28 ST-reserved Assembly seats and five Lok Sabha seats until 2026.
The speakers expressed apprehension that similar circumstances may arise during the upcoming delimitation exercise. They pointed out that lower population growth, large-scale migration, displacement due to mining and industrial projects, and the geographical characteristics of forest and hilly regions have significantly influenced demographic patterns in tribal areas. Therefore, they argued, population alone should not be the sole criterion for delimitation.
The seminar stressed that the Fifth Schedule areas of Jharkhand are not merely administrative units but represent the cultural identity, social structure and traditional way of life of tribal communities. The participants demanded that Articles 330 and 332 of the Constitution, along with the spirit of the Fifth Schedule, be fully respected during the delimitation process.
Among the key demands raised were the protection of existing ST-reserved Assembly and Lok Sabha seats, proportional increase in ST-reserved seats if the total number of seats is enhanced, preservation of the geographical, social and cultural integrity of Fifth Schedule areas, constitution of a high-level committee comprising constitutional and tribal experts to review the delimitation process, and statutory safeguards to ensure that tribal political representation is not weakened in future.
The meeting unanimously resolved to constitute a drafting committee that will prepare a detailed report and submit it to the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and other constitutional and political forums.
The participants also announced that an "Adivasi Ekta Mahajutan Rally" will be organised in Ranchi on August 2, 2026. Gladson Dungdung, Shashi Panna and Anil Amitabh Panna have been entrusted with coordinating the preparations for the rally.
A two-member committee comprising Dayamani Barla and Vasvi Kido has also been formed to formulate both short-term and long-term strategies on various tribal issues. In addition, an all-party meeting has been convened in Ranchi on June 28, 2026 to discuss the delimitation issue.
Speaking on the occasion, tribal leader and social activist Anil Amitabh Panna said that delimitation is not merely about the number of seats but concerns the political existence, constitutional rights and democratic participation of the tribal community. Vasvi Kido emphasised the need to preserve the social and cultural unity of Fifth Schedule areas, while Aloka Kujur said the tribal community supports democratic reforms but would not accept any dilution of its constitutional rights or political representation.
The seminar was attended by Bandhu Tirkey, Aloka Kujur, Vasvi Kido, Anil Amitabh Panna, Margaret Minz, Sushma Biruli, Govind Toppo, Anil Oraon, Sandhya Kuntia, Vijay Chaurasia, Dhirendranath Shahdeo, Mahesh Bandon, Laxmi Khalkho, Imtiyaj Ahmad, Agastina Soreng, Sumanti Soreng, Pramela Tete and a large number of social activists and representatives of various people's organisations.
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