Jharkhand Celebrates Statehood Day on November 15

Ranchi, November 14 (Daily Kiran) : Jharkhand’s Statehood Day is celebrated annually on November 15. This date marks the establishment of Jharkhand as India’s 28th state in 2000, when it was carved out from the southern districts of Bihar. Coincidentally, November 15 also commemorates the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda.

The creation of Jharkhand followed decades of political movements and discussions. During the tenure of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Parliament passed the Bihar Reorganization Act in 2000. This legislation came into effect on November 15, 2000, and Babulal Marandi was sworn in as the first Chief Minister of the newly formed state.

In the aftermath of India’s independence in 1947, various princely states decided to join the Republic of India. Regions such as Chhattisgarh, Jashpur, and Korba became part of Madhya Pradesh, while Ganjam and Bonai joined Odisha, and Kharsawan and Saraikela were included in Bihar. In 1955, under the leadership of Jaipal Singh Munda, the Jharkhand Party submitted a memorandum to the State Reorganization Commission for a separate Jharkhand state. However, this proposal was rejected due to linguistic diversity and the tribal population being a minority.

Over time, various ethnic groups joined the movement for a separate state, strengthening the cause. In 1972, Binod Bihari Mahto, Shibu Soren, and A.K. Roy established the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). Nirmal Mahto founded the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), leading protests for statehood. The Jharkhand Coordination Committee (JCC), led by figures like Ram Dayal Munda and Dr. B.P. Keshari, sought to unify different political factions.

In July 1988, led by prominent BJP leaders, the party demanded the formation of a separate state called Vananchal from the forested areas of South Bihar. Key leaders organized rallies advocating for this cause, prompting the central government to form a committee in 1989 to address the Jharkhand issue.

The movement witnessed various phases, including the establishment of the Chotanagpur and Santhal Pargana Development Board under the provisions of the Fifth Schedule in 1972. Political tensions arose as AJSU incorporated violent elements into the movement, while JMM opposed this approach. In December 1994, the Bihar Assembly passed the Jharkhand Autonomous Council Bill, granting the council authority over several subjects, including agriculture and public health.

By 1998, as the movement faced challenges, Justice Lal Pingle Nath Shahdev emerged as a key figure. The central government decided to send the bill for the formation of Jharkhand to the Bihar Assembly, leading to significant protests and demonstrations advocating for statehood.

In 1999, the BJP promised to form a separate state if it won the elections. Following a hung assembly, the Congress party’s support was contingent upon not obstructing the Bihar Reorganization Bill. Ultimately, with the backing of both the RJD and Congress, the NDA government passed the Bihar Reorganization Act during the monsoon session of Parliament in 2000. This legislation paved the way for the creation of Jharkhand by merging the Chotanagpur Division and the southern Santhal Pargana Division. The NDA subsequently formed the first government in the state, appointing Babulal Marandi as Chief Minister.