New Delhi: An amendment in a century old statute considered the Magna Carta of Tribals in Jharkhand on Friday evoked state-wide protest and bandh.
Mobs in tribal dominated district defied prohibitory orders and torched vehicles in Dumka and Jamshedpur.
The joint call for dawn to dusk shutdown was given by all major state opposition parties against the passage of amendments in the Chota Nagpur and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act (CNT and SPT) by the Raghubar Das-led BJP government in the state.
Violent scenes were witnessed both inside and outside the state assembly in Ranchi on Thursday when the bill was brought for passage. An opposition Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MLA threw his footware at the speaker even as marshals were rushed in to control the opposition legislature.
Oustside the Assembly, police had to use force and water cannons to disperse protestors led by Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (P) led by the former state CM Babulal Marandi. Other parties including Congress, RJD and JDU have also joined in the protest.
All Jharkhand Students Union or AJSU, an ally of the ruling BJP is also opposed to any changes in the laws.
Despite the protests from within and outside, the bills were passed by a voice vote amidst the din.
The two statutes (CNT and SPT Acts) were enacted by the British in 1908 restricting transfer of land by tribals, dalits and backward classes; and were brought into effect after a bitter struggle led by the legendary Birsa Munda in the first decade of the last century.
In the post Independence India, the formation of JMM by Shibu Soren and Vindo Bihari Mahato in 1973 also preceded by movements against exploitation of tribals in southern districts of un-divided Bihar.
Since its formation during Vajpayee regime, Jharkahnd has always had a tribal CM. Raghubar Das is the first non-tribal CM of the state.
The opposition and tribal groups have alleged that any change in the law by the incumbent BJP government will slowly pave the way for the acquisition of the tribal property by the outsiders- a highly sensitive issue in a state with more than 25% tribal population.
The government contention is that the changes will speed up developmental activity like building of roads and schools while keeping the ownership of the property intact. With faultlines drawn, opposition is planning to hold another mass statewide protest in the first week of December.