Ranchi, Aug 30: The Congress on Sunday expressed concern over the possible impact of a future delimitation exercise on the political representation of tribal communities in Jharkhand, alleging that any reduction in seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes would be strongly opposed.
Addressing an Adivasi gathering at Morabadi Ground in Ranchi, Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat said tribal communities had faced significant displacement over the years due to mining, industrial projects, major infrastructure development and dams.
He also raised concerns over the protection of tribal land and alleged that changes in constituency boundaries or reserved seats could weaken the political voice of Adivasi communities.Bhagat accused the BJP and the RSS of attempting to reduce tribal representation through the delimitation process, a charge made as part of the Congress’s political criticism of the proposed exercise.
He said tribal communities would oppose any move that resulted in a reduction of their representation in legislatures.Former Jharkhand minister Bandhu Tirkey also called for resistance against any delimitation exercise that, according to him, could adversely affect the constitutional and political rights of tribal communities.
He said the protection of tribal identity and rights was central to Jharkhand’s history and statehood movement and maintained that any attempt to weaken tribal representation would face opposition.
The issue has gained political attention in the context of the wider debate surrounding delimitation, the process through which the boundaries of parliamentary and assembly constituencies are revised.The Centre accepted the recommendations of the Delimitation Commission in 2008, but the implementation of the exercise was deferred in Jharkhand and several northeastern states.
The future delimitation process is now expected to remain an important political issue, particularly in states where changes in population and constituency boundaries could affect the distribution of reserved seats.
Congress leaders said they would continue to raise the issue and seek safeguards to ensure that the representation of Scheduled Tribe communities is protected in any future exercise.
