Ranchi: Since the formation of Jharkhand, the Kudmi/Kurmi community has been demanding inclusion in the ST list. However, TRI’s first research report in 2004 dismissed their claims as baseless. Previously, the Kaka Kalelkar Committee (1955) and the Lokur Committee (1965) had also rejected this demand based on established criteria.
This proposal has been rejected numerous times, from Parliament to the legislative assemblies of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. Now, once again, the Kurmi community has announced a rail roko movement on September 20.
Under the banner of the All India Tribal Development Council, a delegation submitted a memorandum to the Ranchi Railway Manager and Deputy Commissioner in protest against the ST list demand.
President Geeta Shree Oraon stated that their rail roko movement had previously occurred in 2005, which halted train operations for five days, causing significant inconvenience to millions of passengers. This time, the disruption in rail services will cause hardship to the general public.
The delegation has demanded that the government take action against the leaders of the movement to ensure that passengers do not face any difficulties. The representatives stated that if the administration does not take action, the tribal community will be forced to strongly oppose this movement.
