The Kurmi community has warned that it will boycott the upcoming bypoll in Ghatshila constituency of Jharkhand and abstain from voting unless the central and state governments begin negotiations on its three key demands within the next 15 days.
The community’s demands include the grant of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, official recognition of the Sarna religion, and inclusion of the Kurmali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
For years, the Kurmi community has been pressing for ST status and constitutional recognition of the Kurmali language. Their agitation gained momentum in 2022 when a nine-day protest marked the beginning of a series of statewide movements.
Most recently, on September 20, the community staged a massive “Rail Teka – Dahar Chheka” (train and road blockade) agitation across Jharkhand, severely disrupting railway services. Demonstrations were reported at several stations, including Muri, Tatisilwai, and Mesra near Ranchi, as well as in Bokaro and Giridih districts, where protesters occupied small railway stations from as early as 4 a.m.
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Kurmi activists said the boycott decision was made to safeguard the community’s rights and privileges. “This time, candidates in Ghatsila will face a tough challenge as nearly 30,000 to 40,000 members of the Kurmi community are expected to abstain from voting,” said a leader, Amit Mahto.
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He added that the community would reconsider the boycott if the government initiates talks within 15 days. An awareness campaign highlighting the community’s three demands has already covered 93 villages, he informed. A meeting of the Kurmi community has been scheduled for October 26 in Ghatsila, where leaders are expected to reiterate their appeal to the government.
Community leaders argue that the Kurmis were recognised as aboriginal tribes under British notification no. 550 of 1913, but were later placed in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) list in Bihar, Bengal, and Odisha when the Centre issued the Scheduled Tribes list on September 6, 1950.
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