Jharkhand BJP chief accuses Soren’s government of robbing the rights of tribals

Jharkhand Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State President and Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi on Thursday (January 8, 2026) launched a scathing attack on the Hemant Soren government over Panchayat Extension Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act rules.

The Jharkhand government notified the rules on January 2, after it was approved by the state cabinet on December 23, 2025.

Mr. Marandi said that the Jharkhand government has given a major blow to the traditional system of the tribal community in the long-awaited PESA rules.

He said that the Congress-led central government had enacted the PESA Act in 1996, the objective of which was to strengthen the weakening traditional practices of more than 700 tribal groups residing across the country. He alleged that the Soren’s government has misled the tribal community with the notified rules.

“Section 4(a) of the PESA Act, 1996, clearly states that any state law made regarding Panchayats shall be in accordance with customary law, social and religious practices, and traditional management systems of community resources,”Mr. Marandi said while addressing the press at party office in Ranchi.

He added that customary law means beliefs and worship practices and these vary among all tribal communities.

Giving an example, Mr. Marandi said that the Santhal tribal community worships Marang Buru and Jahir Ayo, and performs puja at Jahir Than and Manjhi Than.

Similarly, the Munda, Oraon, Ho, Kharia also have their own beliefs and worship practices.

He asserted that according to the Act, only someone who is connected to traditional beliefs and worship can be the chairperson of the Gram Sabha, and if someone has abandoned these, then according to the Act, they cannot be the chairperson of the Gram Sabha.

Under the approved rules, Gram Sabhas in rural areas will have authority over the use of minor forest produce, preparation of local area development plans, and management of water resources.

Mr. Marandi alleged that the rules framed by the Jharkhand government have betrayed the tribal community.

“The rules include tradition and customs, but the word “customary laws” has been omitted. The state government has taken a decision against the Act. Those who have abandoned traditional beliefs and practices are not entitled to become the head of the Gram Sabha,’Mr. Marandi said.

He demanded that the Chief Minister must incorporate the exact words of the Act into the rules and regulations.

Attacking the Congress, the alliance partner of the state government Mr. Marandi said, It is surprising that the then Congress-led central government enacted the PESA Act in 1996 to protect and promote the traditional customs, beliefs, and worship practices of the tribal community, but today the same Congress party, for the sake of power in Jharkhand, is attacking the very spirit of the Act.”

He added that Congress and its allies are infringing upon the rights of the tribal community claiming that those who have abandoned traditional beliefs and practices are being given power.

Mr. Marandi accused the Hemant Soren government of robbing the tribal community and its rights.

He warned if the state government does not reconsider the rules in accordance with the Act, the BJP will take the matter of the violation of tribal rights to the court of public.

Even Congress legislator Rameshwar Oraon echoed the same saying that the there is no mention of customary laws, social and religious practices. Mr. Oraon also said that he will write to Mr. Soren and party leader Rahul Gandhi with regards to this.