Dhanbad: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) president and Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday called for unity among tribal communities across the country to put an end to the long-standing exploitation of tribal workers in tea gardens.
Addressing the 54th foundation day celebration of the JMM at the Golf Ground in Dhanbad, Soren described the condition of tribal labourers in the tea industry as a matter of serious concern. He said that nearly 150 years ago, tribal people from Jharkhand were forcibly taken to tea estates in Siliguri, Arunachal Pradesh, Telangana and other regions to work as labourers.
“Even today, these communities are struggling for their very survival, yet their suffering continues to be ignored,” the Chief Minister said, terming the situation alarming. He added that he would soon meet the Prime Minister to demand improved living and working conditions for tribal labourers employed in tea gardens.
Soren also highlighted the contribution of tribal communities to the growth of the tea industry and to the development of states such as Gujarat and others, but said they had not received their rightful share of benefits. Alleging step-motherly treatment by the Centre, he asserted that Jharkhand could have been more developed than states like Telangana, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh had it received its due financial resources.
Referring to the party’s history, Soren said that just as the founders of the JMM secured a separate Jharkhand state through sustained agitation, the party would continue to fight to secure the state’s pending dues. He urged tribal communities to remain united in the upcoming civic body elections, stressing that despite Jharkhand’s significant contributions to the nation, its people continue to face poverty, illiteracy and exploitation.
The Chief Minister noted that the JMM was founded at midnight on February 4, 1973. While foundation day programmes are organised across districts on different dates, the Dhanbad celebration holds special significance as the party was founded at the Golf Ground by its senior leaders.
