Tribals oppose ST tag for Kurmis

Ranchi: Tribal organisations would hold an ‘Adivasi Bachao Maharally’ at the Morhabadi ground on Sunday to protest the alleged attempt by various political parties to include Kurmi/Kudmi caste in the list of Scheduled Tribes (ST) of Jharkhand.
The tribal organisations have alleged that the demand by Kurmi/Kudmi communities for a tribal status is an attempt to establish their domination in the political representation and eat into the reservation in jobs and education meant for tribals and grab their land.
Former minister Geetashree Oraon said, “A large number of tribal people from across the state, including Kolhan and Santhal regions, besides those in the neighbouring states are likely to participate. The Kurmi/Kudmi are using pressure politics to force the state government accept their demand. The tribal communities should forget their differences and unite to fight a battle against such tactics. Several other communities are demanding a similar status. The list of tribals would become very long if the demands are met.”
The other demands are a separate column for the Adivasis in the census, declaration of the Parasnath hills as a special religious place for the Adivasis.