A day after Chief Minister Raghubar Das assured the tribals of not changing the basics of CNT/SPT Acts, thousands of tribals from across the State gathered at Morhabadi Ground on Thursday protesting against any amendment in the age-old tenancy laws.
Former Chief Minister and leader of Opposition Hemant Soren also went at it hammer and tongs and echoed the left wing ultras in a spirited attempt to oppose the amendments proposed in the CNT and SPT Acts.
The tribals, under the banner of Adivasi Buddhijivi Manch, vowed to do whatever it took and to whatever extent it needed to travel, to protect the Act in the State.
In one of the largest mass rallies against State Government in recent times, the Manch succeeded to get support of over 20,000 from almost every corner of the State to cry foul in amendments in Acts.
They carried pamphlets against amendment in CNT/SPT Acts and shouted slogans like 'CM resign', 'Tyranny will not do', 'BJP Government shame-shame' and so on.
The Manch president Premchandra Murmu said the outfit would do anything and everything and would go to any extent to protect the rights of tribals in the State. He also focused on new domicile policy by Raghubar Das government and said that this policy was hammering and denting social fabric of the State.
The Manch, comprising of smaller tribal groups from various parts, was also backed by a couple of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), which provided indirect support in the way of deploying their volunteers to manage the gatherings and chose to remain quiet about their identity when asked.
Prabhakar Kujur, one of the conveners in the organising committee, launched attack on the requirement of amendment in Acts, saying that the government was pro-rich and anti-poor.
The gathering that saw females taking part as aggressively and actively as their male counterparts, however, was divided as far as individual opinion was concerned.
"I do believe that the Government must not take our land just for every other purpose. However, I also believe that we need to emerge as a developed society and for that, we need to listen to government also," said Harre Sahu from Gumla.
At the same time, a group of villagers from Khunti said the Government failed to take people in confidence as far as the meaning of development for them was concerned.
Meanwhile, Hemant Soren, at a Press conference, said, "No one is supporting this attempt of the Government to make changes in the provisions of the CNT and SPT Acts. Sentiments of the people are against it. Even the extremists are against making any changes in the Acts and thus we are keeping a close eye on the steps and intentions of the Government."
"Media reports quoted the CM saying in Dumka that not even his father can amend the CNT-SPT Acts. A similar version had come from the Prime Minister during his election campaign in Santhal Pargana earlier. What is being perceived that the CM has started living dangerously and spreading blatant lies to misguide the people. If he is true, then what does the Cabinet note meant for; what the Ordinance is all about and why the Centre has sought opinions of the ST Commission," asked Soren.
The JMM leader, at the same time, also questioned the endeavour of the Chief Minister in order to attract investment in the State while venturing out. "He has gone to several places and now even planning to go to the US to bring investors here. When the investors there come to know that the Chief Minister speaks lie what perception on them about the State would be createdIJ What kind of message would go out," asked Soren.
He also demanded for immediately recalling the Ordinance pending with the President and quashing it, otherwise the JMM would hit the streets in the days to come.