Jamshedpur: Former Chief Minister Raghubar Das has welcomed a recent Supreme Court ruling upholding the powers of Gram Sabhas under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), asserting that the verdict strengthens tribal self-governance and safeguards indigenous culture.
Addressing the media, Das said the apex court had affirmed a High Court order recognising that under PESA, Gram Sabhas in Scheduled Areas possess the authority to regulate entry into villages, particularly in matters concerning religious conversions.
He described the judgment as a “landmark decision” aimed at preserving tribal identity, customs and traditional social structures.
Referring to an incident in Kanker, Chhattisgarh, where a Gram Sabha reportedly installed a board outside the village warning against religious conversions, Das said such measures reflect community resolve to protect indigenous traditions.
He urged traditional tribal heads in Jharkhand — including Manki, Munda, Parha and Parganait leaders — to convene Gram Sabhas and pass similar resolutions in accordance with PESA provisions.
“If we do not awaken now, our culture, traditions and future generations may be at risk,” he stated, appealing for collective vigilance to safeguard tribal heritage from external influences.
Das further noted that the state government had presented a strong case through the Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Department, leading to judicial clarity that Gram Sabhas can exercise statutory powers to protect customary practices and social cohesion.
He said the ruling reinforces the constitutional vision of tribal self-rule and called upon the Jharkhand government to ensure its firm implementation.
The development is being seen as a significant moment in the ongoing debate over the scope of local self-governance in Scheduled Areas and the balance between community rights and individual freedoms.
