The movement of this Sayam Kudmi society in Jharkhand is becoming fierce. On 20 September, the Kudmi community disrupted several trains under the ‘Rail Roco’ movement by the Scheduled Tribes Kudmi Samaj.

They demand that they be included in ST (Schedule Tribe) status and Kudmali language in the eighth schedule of the Constitution. Due to the ‘Rail Roko’ agitation, more than 100 trains were canceled, stopped or stopped in the middle in many divisions of Southeast and East Central Railway. Thousands of passengers were trapped and railway operations were completely disrupted.

The scope of the movement and the main demands

Members of the Kudmi community sat on the tracks at stations in several districts including Ranchi, Dhanbad, Giridih, Hazaribagh and East Singhbhum under the banner of Adivasi Kudmi Samaj (AKS). The agitators said that until their demands are met, they will not withdraw from the tracks.

Since being removed from the ST list in 1931, the community has been constantly struggling for its rights. Due to this movement, 12 trains including Vande Bharat and Rajdhani Express were canceled in Ranchi division, while 25 passenger trains in Dhanbad division were canceled and 24 routes were changed.

Impact on passengers and action of administration

Thousands of passengers were stranded at different stations. Malti Ghosh, stuck at Ghatshila station, said that her daughter is ill in Pune, but there is no information about when the trains will run. Passengers created a ruckus after the Tata-Patna Vande Bharat Express canceled at Muri station. Railway officials started alternative arrangements to bring passengers to their original station.

Prohibition was implemented under Section 163 of BNSS in Ranchi and East Singhbhum districts. The security personnel tried to calm the protesters and vacate the tracks, while the Director General of Police directed to deploy additional force, CCTV and drones.

Many leaders including AJSU chief Sudesh Mahato supported the movement and said that it is necessary for the rights of the Kudmi community. On the other hand, various tribal organizations staged a protest near Raj Bhavan in Ranchi and described it as “undemocratic”. According to PTI, he says that the Kudmi community wants to take away the rights of real Scheduled Tribes. Meanwhile, the police and railway administration are constantly trying to control the situation and restore rail operations.