Kurmi Community Stages Peaceful Rail Blockade for ST Status

Members of the Kurmi community in Jharkhand will conduct peaceful rail blockades to advocate for Scheduled Tribe status and the inclusion of Kurmali language in the Constitution. Despite a court ruling declaring the protests unconstitutional, the community plans to proceed without violence, emphasizing cultural display and dialogue with authorities.

The Kurmi community in Jharkhand is set to launch an indefinite 'Rail Teka' agitation across various railway stations on Saturday, demanding Scheduled Tribe status and the inclusion of Kurmali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. The peaceful protests will not disrupt railway traffic or damage public property, as stated by Adivasi Kurmi Samaj official Sheetal Ohdar.

In light of the Calcutta High Court's directive deeming the planned rail and road blockade illegal, Kurmi leaders have reminded community members to protest without carrying weapons or showing resistance against security forces. The High Court has urged authorities to ensure law and order and unobstructed public movement during the agitation in the Chotanagpur area, spanning Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha.

Ohdar has indicated the community's willingness to halt the agitation if Union Home Minister Amit Shah engages with their cause. As tribal groups plan counter-protests, Jharkhand police have ramped up security measures at sensitive locations, deploying additional forces equipped with surveillance tools to ensure passenger safety.

(With inputs from agencies.)