Some 200-odd voters of Gai Bathan village under Dumka lok Sabha are perhaps vindicating the Election Commission of India’s point of view behind introducing ‘None of the Above’ (NOTA) button in EVMs. Pressing for their grievances pending for the past 59 years, out of 64-year old history of parliamentary democracy in the country, the Ghatwar or Ghatwal dominated village would press NOTA on April 24 i.e. the polling day.
Behind the decision is the community's demand for restoration of Scheduled Tribe status in the Constitution which was marked at 13th place of ST list against it till 1952. “Our movement is as old as of the Shibu Soren’s and started in 1970. The community was figuring in ST list after the Independence but removed under certain conspiracy. Several movements have taken place but of no use. When no one came to support us why would we vote for any leader,” asked Niranjan Singh, who has been fighting for the
demand for long.
Traditionally, the Ghatwars belong to Bhuian that has been inducted into Scheduled Caste list in some parts of Jharkhand and getting benefits. Though despite being in desperate need to get special attention the strong 10 lakh members in the Santhal dominated Santhal Pargana area have been denied the privilege.
In February, the agitating community had brought the entire Santhal Pargana to a stand still for 48 hours by giving a bandh call. Godda MP Nishikant Dubey of the BJP raised the matter in Parliament and also JVM’s Pradeep Yadav on several occasions in the Jharkhand Assembly.
Moreover, about 1.5 lakh Ghatwal voters of Dumka, about 70,000 of Raj Mahal parliamentary constituency and others scattered in
different parts of the poll abound Santhal Pargana have not been able to catch attention of political parties and their candidates. Nirajan Singh recounts the reason behind.
“Even after 64 years of Independence the community has been exploited. Politicians have scuttled the movement by creating divide among Ghatwars. Whenever the movement catches some momentum some leaders are lured for money and like that. It is also the reason why we have chosen for NOTA. It is also a big NO to the kind of politics being played out
with us,” says Singh.
But it is not just the demand for ST status that has made them disenchanted. “You can see for yourself what the facilities are in the village. For last one and half years we are living without power as someone stole the transformer. We complained at Jarmundi (block headquarter) but of no heed. Those who even have
little land cannot do much as there is no irrigation facility in the village,” told Jugal Ray with great dismay.
The only primary school at the village — ironically half of its premises is presently being occupied by road construction labourer and materials — has no regular teacher and discontinued mid-day meal. There is just one hand pump for the entire Gai Bhathan and the most of the villagers have no idea when the Gram Sabha meetings
take place and what decisions it takes.
“Few people decide everything. They came pressurising us to vote but it cannot
happen,” said Parvati Devi carrying a placard in one hand and a dagger in her second. Anyway, those who ruled over the land spreading among 27 princely states from Birbhum to Khadagpur and had marital relations even with Nepal kingdom and laxmipur of Deoghar, the Ghatwars are now pushed to the margins and that also in a democracy. Thankfully, they are finding refuge in NOTA, a button given in a democracy itself.