Bengal: People Unite Against ‘Import’ of Caste Politics by BJP/TMC in Jangal Mahal

A significant number of migrant workers, who used to reside thousands of kilometres away from their families, have returned home temporarily for a few days, with many more en route. They have come back to their villages to cast their votes. Apart from exercising their democratic right, many of these migrant workers, most of whom are under 40 years old, are actively participating in the upcoming election campaign. Elections will be held in Jangal Mahal areas on May 25.

Waving the red flag in their ancestral villages, several migrant workers can be seen engaging in campaign activities on behalf of the Left Front candidates. Some of them told this reporter about their experiences of having to migrate for work, recounting the hardships endured during Covid-19 when they felt abandoned. The appreciate the solidarity represented by the red flag then. Election will be held in Janglemahal areas on May 25.

They said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress-led Central and Bengal governments, respectively, along with their party activists, instead of providing support, had ridiculed them during the pandemic. As they actively participate in the campaign, they share their narratives in various urban and rural areas of Bankura, Bishnupur, Jhargram, Purulia, and Medinipur parliamentary constituencies.

Local reports the BJP and TMC are somewhat taken aback by the large number of migrant workers, who until now were largely apolitical, actively engaging in the electoral campaign under the banner of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)).

The two parties are unable to cite any significant developmental initiatives in these regions, despite their claims in numerous political rallies and government-sponsored events over the years. Moreover, they are unable to make any credible promises to meet the basic needs of the people, as they have repeatedly failed to fulfil their previous electoral pledges. The people of Jangal Mahal are demanding accountability for these unmet promises.

Vote campaign janglemahal

Both BJP and TMC are also resorting to divisive politics in Jangal Mahal, in a bid to prevent unity around common demands. Both are introducing the issue of caste politics into the political discourse during their campaigns, said some local workers.

The Jangal Mahal region is home to numerous ethnic communities that have coexisted for decades in this vast and culturally diverse forested area. However, a narrative of division is being actively promoted, with both the ruling parties attempting to sow seeds of discord between the tribal and Kurmi communities, suggesting that the development of one community is impeded by the other. This has resulted in a palpable atmosphere of hostility, with thousands of marginalised individuals from these communities unwittingly becoming victims of their propaganda. The pressing issues of livelihoods are being overshadowed by political manoeuvring.

Undoubtedly, the upcoming election in Jangal Mahal is being conducted under challenging circumstances, unprecedented in the post-Independence era.

Why did thousands of youths migrate during Covid?

“I reached my native village, Lodda, in Ranibandh, Bankura, after cycling 300 km from Rourkela with my wife. We cycled continuously for two days, surviving solely on biscuits and water due to a lack of funds. Borrowing Rs 600 from a fellow factory worker, I bought a used bicycle to return home. If we hadn't come back, both my wife and I would have perished. If there were opportunities for employment here, would I have had to seek work so far away? Yet, there are still no job prospects, compelling me to migrate for work again," said 35-year-old tribal youth, Tapan Sardar.

The story of Jagannath Mahato from Sindurpur, under Ranibandh Block, Bankura, is even more disturbing. Jagannath and his nephew Jayanta worked at Reliance Chemical hub in Jamnagar, Gujarat. He alleged that despite the factory being closed during the Covid-19 lockdown, the few workers who couldn't return home were forcibly made to work. This situation was unknown to outsiders.

Tragically, there was a boiler explosion at the factory, resulting in the death of 260 workers, he says, adding that Jayanta was among the deceased. Jagannath suffered severe ear injuries and hearing loss. He returned home to retrieve his nephew's body. Despite this tragedy, he had to seek work in Bengaluru months later due to the lack of opportunities locally.

Jaleswar Hansda, a labourer from Hariharpur village in Binpur 2 Block, Jhargram district, said he went to work in Gujarat with his younger son, Khandu Hansda, due to the absence of local employment opportunities. Jaleswar fell ill and died, while Khandu couldn't come back.

"If I decide to permanently return home, how will my family sustain themselves?" he said. Recently, he returned to the village and began campaigning for the Left Front candidate in the Jhargram constituency.

Jiban Lodha in Simulpal, Nayan Shing in Gopiballavpur, Jhargram district, Gobinda Hansda, Tanmoy Mahato in Bandowan, Purulia, Dilip Mudi, Sheikh Kalimuddin, Sanjoy Bauri, Santimay Bauri, Sridam Mudi in Jhariakocha village, Hirbandh under Bankura district, and many other migrant workers highlighted the challenges they face at their workplaces, including low wages, inadequate accommodation, and the absence of medical facilities. They assert that contractors profit immensely by exploiting them.

The main livelihood for people in the Jangal Mahal areas used to be collecting resources from the nearby forests. They gathered Kendu leaves (used in bidi-making), Babui grass, Mahua flowers and fruits, Shal leaves, neem fruits, and other forest products. These items were guaranteed to be bought by the state government-sponsored cooperative, Large-Sized Aadibasi Multipurpose Society (LAMS). However, LAMS was shut down after TMC came to power in 2011.

Vote campaign jangle mahal

Recruitment in government departments has also ceased for a long time. Many school hostels and Madhyamik Shiksha Kendras (MSKs) have been closed for the past seven years. Moreover, numerous male and female teachers have been transferred from schools in Jangal Mahal to urban areas through the state government's 'Utsoshree portal.' Due to the lack of teachers, classes are irregularly held, forcing students to abandon their studies.

Pulin Bihari Baske, former Sabhadhipati of undivided Paschim Medinipur, Madhu Sudan Mahato, a CITU leader from Ranibandh Bankura, and Rathu Shing, a farmer leader from Purulia, highlighted all the4se issue while talking to this reporter.

According to them, approximately 60,000 youths have left as migrant labourers from the four districts of Jangal Mahal, with their families dependent on remittances sent by them. Currently, the economy of Jangal Mahal is entirely reliant on remittances sent by these migrant workers.

On Sunday (May 12, 2024), in Jhariacocha village of Hirbandh Block under Bankura, residents witnessed migrant workers Dilip Mudi, Sheikh Kalimuddin, and Sridam Bauri marching with red flags to campaign for Nilanjan Dasgupta, the Left candidate from Bankura. They, too, said that due to lack of local job opportunities, they were compelled to seek work outside.

"The Red volunteers supported our families during the Covid-19 pandemic, and thanks to former CPI(M) MP Basudeb Acharia's efforts, we were able to return home. However, our present MP, Subash Sarkar, has never visited our village, nor has he inquired about our well-being. TMC activists or local panchayat representatives have also not extended any assistance.

Left front candidate of Bankura constituency Nilanjan Dasgupta in  campaigning with beedi workers at Bankura cooperative factory.

The said the Chief Minister had promised a grant of Rs 1 rupees to all migrant workers who were outside the state. “Where is this promised grant?" asked Kalimuddin. He and other migrant workers said during their campaign that the ‘red flag’ representatives would amplify their problems in Delhi. "Therefore, we are going door-to-door to ensure victory for the ‘lal jhanda’ candidates," they added.

Ujjal Sarkar, the state leader of the West Bengal Migrant Workers Union affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), said migrant workers in various parts of the country were being contacted via telephone and were being urged to return to their respective areas before the elections. The organisation is actively facilitating their return before the elections.

BJP, TMC Politics in Election Campaign

In the last parliamentary election (2019), the BJP won all five parliamentary constituencies in Jangal Mahal. People from these areas said a significant portion of the electorate voted for BJP to escape the alleged atrocities of TMC. It was campaigned then that since the BJP held power at the Centre, it would take action against TMC hooligans and address rampant corruption.

Additionally, following the departure of the Left Front government, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) opened numerous schools under the names Saraswati Bidhyamandir and Banobasi Chatrabas across Jangal Mahal, including in Ranibandh, Jhilimili, Haludkanali, Rautora, Barikul, and Khatra, Raipur in Bankura District; Jhargram, Belpahari, Noyagram, and Lodhasoli in Jhargram district; and Bandowan, Joypur, and Manbazar in Purulia.

“The TMC-led government has not taken any action regarding their legality. Instead, these schools have fostered a close relationship with local TMC leaders and activists. Five years ago, the RSS tactfully campaigned with the slogan "aage ram, pore bam" (first Ram, then Left), which has led to confusion among some individuals”, said Left campaigners.

After the Lok Sabha elections, the confusion dissipated within a few days. However, the real reflection of the Prime Minister's slogan 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' and the Chief Minister of Bengal's claim that 'Jangal Mahal Hasche' (Jangalmahal is smiling) is nowhere to be seen, said local residents.

“The people are disillusioned," Chinmoy Saren, a professor and resident of Hirbandh, told this reporter.

Marginal farmers like Dibakar Hansda from Hariharpur in Jhargram district, social worker Ratu Shing from Bandowan in Purulia district, and retired teacher Badal Chandra Mahato from Barikul from Bankura, have all stated that no initiatives have been taken to improve people's livelihoods. Rather, the few existing opportunities that were present for decades have also gone.

Unemployed youth like Mittan Sabar from Simulpal Village in Belparari region, Jhargram district, said that tourists come here to admire the beautiful landscape of hills and dense forests, but also witness the poverty experienced by the people of Jangal Mahal.

"People in Jangalmahal are suffering from malnutrition. Due to insufficient income, they are unable to afford nutritious food. There is gross negligence in medical care, with shortages of doctors and health workers being common," stated Dr. Jagadish Mahato, a resident of Ranibandh and a respected doctor in the area.

"TMC and BJP will have to answer why projects like MGNREGA and PMAY are stalled in the state. Why hasn't TMC filed any cases against the Central government for halting these projects?" said Partha Pratim Majumdar, former Sabhadhipati of Bankura Zilla Parishad. Similar sentiments were echoed by Kalyan Dule and Janardan Baske at Goyalbari in Sarenga Block. They said that they want to know why work under MGNREGA and PMAY had stopped and neither party had provided satisfactory answers.

"People allege that both the ruling BJP and TMC are being challenged by the people of Jangal Mahal. They have resorted to dirty caste politics and are preparing the ground out of fear of this challenge. In these four districts of the Jangalmahal area, various tribal and non-tribal communities such as Santal, Bhumij, Munda, Lodha, Sabar, Kora, Pahariya, and Mahali reside, and they have lived here for many years in harmony. Although tribal communities hold Scheduled Tribe status, the Kurmis have yet to receive ST status and continue to fight for it. Both BJP and TMC are promising tribal communities that if the Kurmis receive ST status, they will share their reservation of jobs and other opportunities. Conversely, both ruling parties are tacitly supporting Kurmis in their fight for Scheduled Tribe status. As a result, an atmosphere of mistrust has been created in Jangalmahal, as a significant number of tribal and Kurmis reside in these areas.

Many people in the Jangal Mahal area assert that while the BJP, by stoking religious tensions, fostered animosity between tribal and Kurmi communities and secured the support of these two prime communities, the ruling TMC is allegedly attempting to garner the support of the same communities by exploiting religious sentiments. The TMC government regularly offers contributions at worship places of Kurmis and of the Santhal community.

According to several locals, certain Kurmi sections claim to be representatives of the Kurmis and hold public meetings with TMC support in various places. TMC is also being accused of campaigning with government funds in the name of tribal development board.

On the other hand, the BJP has been campaigning that those who have converted to Christianity from Santhal would be excluded from reservation benefits.

“How many people have been employed in these areas through reservation opportunities? Can BJP and TMC reveal this number? This is being done to create a divide among the poor," said Pulin Bihari Baske, state secretary of Aadibasi Adhikar Manch West Bengal.

Usha Mahato, an Integrated Child Development Services worker from Ranibandh, said: "We, the poor people, want work, not caste and religious politics. Children, expectant and maternity mothers are suffering from severe malnutrition. Where is the focus, and who cares for them?"

BJP’s Bankura candidate Subash Sarkar said he was campaigning for people-oriented projects of the Central government. Arup Chakrobarty, the TMC candidate, said he was amplifying Mamata Banerjee's “development” work in Jangal Mahal to the people.

Madhu Sudan Mahato, the area committee secretary of CPI(M) said people have seen the dire situation in Jangal Mahal and would respond to it in the upcoming election.

Many people the area told this reporter that despite the CPI(M) lacking financial resources, administrative power, and media support, many individuals, especially youth and women, were campaigning tirelessly to support Left Front candidates.

All pictures taken by Madhu Sudan Chatterjee.