A gathering of various tribal organizations and local representatives convened in the Kala and Sanskriti Bhawan within the Sonua block of West Singhbhum district. The central purpose of this meeting was to voice opposition to the proposed inclusion of the Kudmi and Mahato communities in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list. The meeting was chaired by Uday Purti.
Following the discussions, a significant decision was made: the Manoharpur assembly-level Janakrosh rally, initially planned for October 12th in Goilkera, has been rescheduled. The rally will now take place on October 18th at the Sonua block headquarters. The change in date was attributed to a large-scale event scheduled in Goilkera on October 14th, commemorating the martyrdom of Veer Shahid Devendra Majhi.
The meeting also focused on strategies to increase participation in the upcoming rally. A village-level public awareness campaign was planned to engage more people. It was also resolved that the rally would be conducted peacefully and democratically. Organizers aim to ensure the administration acknowledges their concerns.
President of the Adivasi Samaj Mahasabha and Adivasi Samanvay Samiti, Pator Joko, asserted that the demand to include the Kudmi and Mahato communities in the Scheduled Tribe is unfounded and contradicts historical facts. He emphasized that this poses a direct threat to the identity, rights, and recognition of the tribal community. This event is a stand to protect their identity and future.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous agreement to maintain the movement’s non-violent nature and to involve all segments of society.
Among the attendees were Dr. Dinesh Chandra Boypai, Mahendra Jamuda, Govinda Jamuda, Kedarnath Nayak, Hemant Soren, Ganesh Chandra Bodra, Budhlal Purti, Manoj Nayak, Janki Hembrom, Surya Bahanda, Siddharth Bodra, Jaypal Hembrom, and several other respected figures.