Ranchi/Jamshedpur: Potka MLA Sanjeev Sardar raised the issue of the Bhumij language in the Jharkhand Assembly today. Sardar demanded that the language of the Bhumij tribal community should be reintroduced in JTET, JSSC, and other competitive examinations.
He said that the Bhumij community has a population of over four lakh in the state and resides mainly in East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, and Saraikela-Kharsawan districts of Jharkhand.
The MLA informed the House that previous examinations—such as the TET 2016, the 2014 exam, and the 2015 JSSC Kakshapal exam—included the Bhumij language. A large number of examinees had taken the exam in the Bhumij language and secured appointments. However, the revised regulations issued in 2023 did not include the Bhumij language in the list, causing deep dissatisfaction within the Bhumij community.
He stated that this decision clearly violates the linguistic rights of local tribes guaranteed under Article 350(A) of the Constitution. Sardar demanded that the Bhumij language should be reinstated in all upcoming competitive examinations, including the 10th grade, JTET, and JSSC.
Minister Deepak Birua replied, “The government has taken this issue under consideration. Approximately 5 lakh people in Jharkhand belong to the Bhumij community, and the Bhumij language was included in previous examinations. However, this language was later removed from the list during a change in the rules.”
The minister explained that an expert committee was formed in 2012 to upgrade the state’s examination system along the lines of the civil service system, and several languages were included during the process. Subsequently, a committee was formed by the Legislative Assembly to address language issues in examinations, but the Bhumij language was not included.
After the minister’s reply, Sardar said, “It is unfortunate that tribal languages are not protected by a government that has adequate representation of tribal leaders, then the communities will have no one to turn to. If Bhumij is removed from the language list, future generations will be deprived of competitive exams.”
He added that inclusion of Bhumij language in the examination list is not just a matter of language but of existence, identity, and social respect of the community. Following the MLA’s request, Birua said, “This matter certainly concerns the tribal community and its language. The government will seriously consider the matter.”
