In the freedom movement of India the Tana Bhagats of Jharkhand had significant contribution. Specially they strictly followed the ideology of Mahatma Gandhi during the freedom struggle and even after independence the way they adhered and followed are appreciable and imitable.
But it is a matter of deep concern that 70 years after independence and 16 years after the formation of Jharkhand, least attention is given to the great and real followers of Gandhi ji. The Tana Bhagats were very close to land and were deprived from getting their own land rights. Their land related issues were ignored and not given sufficient attention.
On October 02, 2017, the birth anniversary of Gandhi ji, Tana Bhagats of Khaksi Tola Bero Ranchi invited me for Swacchata Abhiyan and handed over a charter of demands in the name of Chief Minister of Jharkhand.
As per the aspiration of Tana Bhagats I forwarded the paper to the Chief Minister of Jharkhand. After submission of the memorandum within one month, the Chief Minister conducted a meeting with Tana Bhagats on November 07 and announced several development and welfare measures for uplifting their moral and respect.
It shows the determination and dedication of the chief Minister towards Tana Bhagats and primitive tribal groups. For this I extend my wholehearted thanks to CM Raghubar Das and entire Ministry of Jharkhand.
In the year 1983 in Bishunpur, Gumla I started working with the tribal groups. I vowed to uplift the social status of the tribal people of Bishunpur and to enhance their general awareness in the field of agriculture, education healthcare, etc simultaneously running some specific programme for their betterment with their help.
This led to the establishment of the organization "Vikas Bharti Bishunpur" in the year 1983, which till date is tirelessly working to achieve its objective for the upliftment of the tribesman in Jharkhand. Also in the year 1983 in the village Chingri a memorial was commissioned by Vikas Bharti as homage to the initiator of the "Tana Bhagat" movement.
The initiator of the movement was "Zatra Tana Bhagat". From that day Vikas Bharti is working to implement the idea of social justice expounded in that movement. The organaisation is engaged with these tribal groups from the Tana Bhagat movement days which is now bearing fruits.
Fulfilling the aspirations of Tana Bhagats the Chief Minister has fixed the present land rent for Re 1.00 and removed all previous rents besides making announcements related to provision for their concrete house and construction of Guest House in Ranchi are real honor for the Tana Bhagat movement.
The CM also announced that August 30 will be commemorated as Mukto Diwas in Jharkhand and will be celebrated as Rajkiya Maha Sammelan, and Tana Bhagat "Vikas Pradhikar" will be constituted in with five Tana Bhagats. They will receive monthly pension, women members will receive 4 cows on 90% subsidized rate, 10th pass Children will be enrolled in Raksha Sakti University, Chief Minister Fellowship scheme - which are all as per the chartered demanded submitted by them on October 2, 2017.
The writer is a noted social worker, thinker awarded with Padma Shri by the Government of India and is Secretary of Vikas Bharti Bishunpur.