Dhansbad, February 4: Chief Minister Hemant Soren has accused the central government of consistently neglecting Jharkhand. Speaking at a public gathering at the Golf Ground in Dhansbad on the 54th foundation day of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), he stated that the central government has withheld funds that rightfully belong to Jharkhand for a long time.
Soren warned that just as the state fought for its separate identity, it would also struggle to reclaim its pending dues. He claimed that if Jharkhand had received its fair share of financial resources, it would have been far ahead of states like Telangana, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh today.
He emphasized that Jharkhand has contributed minerals, labor, and resources to the nation, yet its people face poverty, illiteracy, and exploitation in return. Soren also highlighted the exploitation of tribal workers in tea gardens across the country, stating that the tea industry thrives on their hard work, yet the same community continues to suffer from neglect and exploitation.
He noted that approximately 150 years ago, tribal people from Jharkhand were forcibly taken to work in tea gardens in Siliguri, Arunachal Pradesh, Telangana, and other states, often at gunpoint. Today, they still fight for their existence, but their struggles remain unheard.
Describing this situation as serious and shameful, Soren announced plans to meet Prime Minister Modi soon to demand a dignified life and better working conditions for tribal workers in tea gardens.
He asserted that the tribal community has played a crucial role in the development of not only the tea industry but also various states, including Gujarat, yet they have not received their constitutional rights. Referring to the ongoing municipal elections in the state, Soren urged the tribal community to unite and demonstrate their political strength.
The JMM president noted that the party was founded at midnight on February 4, 1973, in Dhansbad, which is why the Golf Ground holds symbolic significance in the party’s history. He mentioned that while foundation days are celebrated on different dates in various districts, the event in Dhansbad serves as a reminder of the party’s roots.
