Background:

From the past nine months Jharkhand is burning over the issues of amendment in the Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act (CNT) and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act (SPT). The Adivasis have a long of history of struggle and movement against state repression. All these struggles are related to protection of land, Adivasi identity and esteem. The CNT and SPT act were a result of continuous Adivasi movements and revolt against the oppression of Britishers, zamindars and local money lenders. These revolts were done under the leadership of various Adivasi leaders, prominent among them were Birsa Munda and Sidhu-Kanhu. The CNT act was enacted in 1908 (Eight years after the death of Birsa Munda) and the SPT act was enacted in year 1949. These acts safeguarded the land and identity of the Adivasis. Since time immemorial the Adivasis have demanded autonomy and freedom from the oppression of the ‘dikus’. The Jharkhand movement was based on such ideals, drawing leadership from the likes of Jaipal Singh Munda, N.E. Horo, Bagun Sumbrai, Sibu Soren etc. Finally, after a long struggle, Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar in the year 2000. From then on, the state had never received a stable government, with BJP ruling the most in short tenures.

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