Kurmi Community in Ghatshila Announces Poll Boycott Over ST Status Demand

Kurmi Community in Ghatshila Announces Poll Boycott Over ST Status Demand

Jharkhand News : The Kurmi-Kudmi community’s growing discontent in the Ghatshila Assembly constituency has taken a political turn. Frustrated by the lack of concrete action from the government and feeling betrayed over unfulfilled promises during talks with railway officials, the community has announced a boycott of the upcoming bypolls. Their slogan is clear: “No ST, No Vote.”

According to sources, in the next ten days, signature campaigns and organizational expansion at the village level will be launched across 93 Kurmi-dominated villages in the region. These efforts aim to bring renewed attention to their long-standing demands from both the state and central governments.

The Kurmi community has been agitating for three major demands:

  1. Inclusion of the Kurmi caste in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list,

  2. Recognition of the Kurmali language under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, and

  3. Approval of a separate Sarna religious code.

Speaking at a public awareness meeting in Surda on Sunday, youth leader Amit Mahato warned that if the government does not initiate dialogue with community representatives within 15 days, they will fully boycott the Ghatshila by-election. “Our fight is for our identity and culture, and we will continue this struggle at all levels,” he said.

Prominent members including Manik Mahato, Piyush Mahato, Malaya Ji, and Bhav Taran Ji were also present during the meeting. Discussions were held on expanding the organizational network, the upcoming Gram Sabha campaign, and the future course of the movement. The community pledged to continue their fight until their constitutional rights are recognized.

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