Jharkhand Ulgulan Manch
JUDAV has initiated a number of peoples’ organisations in Jharkhand. One of the most important one is that of the Jharkhand Ulgulan Manch.
The Second State Convention of Jharkhand Ulgulan Manch was held at Madhupur on 3rd March 2005. In his inaugural address, Siddheshwar of Gaon Ganarajya Parishad, said formation of Manch as a Forum in 1996 on 8th/9th June of that year, was an effort to recall the pledge of Birsa Munda to work for Swashasan. Gaon Ganarajya Parishad was formed and villages to carry on the practice of self-rule. It took protest action against Auranga Dam Project and has succeeded in preventing coming up. In also Koel-Karo Project area it actively supported Koel Karo Jana Sanghatana in its agitation against the Project. Ulgulan Manch actively worked and supported local organisations. These were political issues of the people. Manch became a people’s organisation at the beginning of the century.
Outgoing Joint Coordinator, Baijanath Prasad Baiju, gave an account of activities in the last one year, especially detailing out agitations for Gram Sabha Rule and Swashasan purposes. He underlined need for a membership drive and involving people at district levels.
Sunder Basera from Sahebganj District, urged Ulgulan Manch to step up activities among primitive communities in the hills of Santhal Parganas. These communities have been neglected and ignored for long periods of time and they were in dire straits. Nirmala Murmu from Dumka District questioned efforts to force Panchayat Raj on indigenous peoples. We have our own traditional gram sabhas through which chart out our own developmental processes. Ms Murmu urged Manch to help Santhals in protecting their homelands through Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act (SPTA).
Fulchand, Mukhia in Chaibasa Region of Kolhan on in south-west Jharkhand, asserted villages in Kolhan would be governed by traditional gram sabhas and would not partake in Panchayat Raj elections. Through traditional gram sabhas, we will bring development to the village. Self rule /Swashasan was right of Ho people, he said.
Murlidhar Mandal, from Kali Dumaria in Godda District said development could not be complete without active participation of women in decision making. Kusum Kamal Singh from Chandil in Saraikela-Kharsanwa District asserted Self-rule/Swashasan could alone lead towards a self-reliant society.
Shekhar from Ranchi said power equations in Assembly were unconcerned with poor. He said that though Panchayat Raj elections had been announced it was doubtful if bureaucracy would allow it.
Charan Kumar from Dumka said government was bent upon dividing people of Jharkhand by forcing Panchayat Raj System in Scheduled Areas and cautioned that Ulgulan Manch should come to assistance of Indigenous Communities by insisting that traditional Gram Sabhas should be protected and Swashasan should be system of governance there.
Hemant said all this would be possible only if we organise ourselves and assert our unity and not fall prey to machinations of bureaucracy, which often resorts to giving our activists bits and pieces here and there. People are ready to fight for their rights and many a times they are ahead of their leaders, he cautioned.
Salge Mardi. Jharkhand Mahila Hulgulan Manch Leader said the slogan should be “Abua Dishum Abua Raj” (Our Rule in Our Land). Ulgulan Manch should insist on equal participation for women in decision making process in Panchayat Raj Institutions as well as in Traditional Gram Sabhas, she asserted. Chotu Kisku from Madhupur in Deoghar District said oppression on women was increasing in Jharkhand and Ulgulan Manch should give a priority on this issue.
Baijanath Prasad Baiju said these elections had been delayed for long despite promises to the contrary and Supreme Court’s directions. Umesh S. Usha from Dhanbad insisted Panchayat Raj elections should be held without delay in all Jharkhand. Arun Vinayak said that Jharkhandi Society had accepted diversity of cultures. Why not accept this diversity? Let there be Panchayat Raj elections in general areas and traditional gram sabha rule in areas dominated by indigenous peoples!
Raijen Gudia from Ranchi District laying stress on Self-rule said villagers, particularly in indigenous communities’ areas should be persuaded to recall their traditional form of governance. Intelligentsia who were for such a rule should consult local indigenous communities before embarking on ventures.
Ghanshyam said on 30th June this year is 150th anniversary of Santhal Hul led by Sidhu-Kanu against British Imperialist efforts to intervene in self-rule and communitarian lifestyle of Santhal Indigenous People. It is now important to reiterate cause of self-rule this year. Asserting Swashasan and Gram Sabha rule was not an easy task as government was making all efforts to delay the elections. It is not concerned with constitutional rights and ignores directives of Supreme Court! He suggested that a Yatra be organised from 9th June, the day when Birsa Munda became a martyr to the cause of Self-rule.
Gaon Ganarajya Parishad leader, Kumar Chand Mardi stressed importance of implementation of 5th Schedule provisions of the Constitution. Self-rule, should main theme of all villages. That was the culture of Jharkhand. Land belonged to community and community takes decisions on its utilisation and development.
Members unanimously elected, Charan Kumar and Ms Anita Haadi as Joint Coordinators of the Manch. Participants at district levels also nominated their Joint Coordinators.
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