ON January 31, when the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) arrested former Jharkhand chief minister (CM) Hemant Soren—after a brief period of the alleged rumour that he has gone ‘missing’—political observers didn’t realise that it would take a new turn in Adivasi politics. But Soren made it apparent. While addressing the legislative assembly after his party secured a comfortable win in the trust vote, Soren said, “They can’t stand an Adivasi riding a BMW.” Notably, the ED had seized Soren’s BMW from his Delhi residence, when he was allegedly ‘absconding’ to avoid the 10th summons from the central agency.
However, this is not the first time Soren has been hounded by the ED since he took over as the CM in 2019. In 2022, it questioned him over a case of illegal mining and arrested his close aides, leading to speculation that the Governor might dismiss his government. Interestingly, these investigations started after Soren’s government passed the Sarna Code Bill in the state assembly in November 2020, which seeks a separate religion column for the Adivasis in the upcoming census. He also asked the Union government to include it in the Ninth Schedule to avoid judicial scrutiny.
Till now, neither has the Governor signed the bill nor has the Union government paid heed to the demands. Instead, in the recent past, the Union government has been found to be assertive about the Hindu identity of the Adivasis in every possible political space, including the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony. Addressing the nation after the much-celebrated ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi evoked Ram as the central character to unite India. He also didn’t miss the opportunity to invoke Mata Shabari—presumably an Adivasi character in the Ramayana—whom Ram had recognised as equal.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 01, 2024-Ausgabe von Outlook.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 01, 2024-Ausgabe von Outlook.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Caste Census: To Conquer Or Conserve?
The caste census is generating heated debate, but even its most ardent proponents are not able to articulate a plan about how to use the resulting data
THE FATEFUL COMEDY
Actor-director Rajat Kapoor talks about adapting Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov into a Hindi play
Mad Hatter
When a leader takes off his topi and holds it in his hands while appealing for votes, it signals something extraordinary
Circle Within Circles
The caste question in Muslims.
Backward March
The Maratha reservation question may continue to mire the next government in the state
The 69% Exception
Quota within quota: lessons to be learned from Tamil Nadu
United Indifference
The perils of tweaking tribal identities
Two Nations, Two Destinies
The widely differing balance of power between the military and civilian leadership in India and Pakistan has significantly impacted democracy in the two countries
Crème de la Crème
The mainstream society thinks reservations are against right to equality. It’s high time they are seen in the context of right to justice.
Fading Folks
The recent SC ruling on sub-classification within the SC and ST categories temporarily lifted the hopes of tribal communities in Jharkhand