A broad public discussion was organised in Ranchi on 9 December 2025 under the joint banner of the Adivasi Sangharsh Morcha and the Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha. The meeting reviewed in detail the ongoing violence, state repression and corporate plunder being carried out in the name of eliminating Maoism in the Jharkhand–Chhattisgarh region. Hundreds of Adivasi and Moolvasi people, social activists, women, youth and representatives of various people’s organisations participated, coming from Bokaro, Latehar, Palamu, West Singhbhum, Ramgarh, Hazaribagh, Ranchi and other districts.
Presenting the theme of the discussion, Siraj of the Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha said that operations conducted in the name of ending Maoism have the real objective of destroying Adivasi existence and securing their water, forests, land and minerals for corporate loot.
CPI(ML) State Secretary Manoj Bhakt said that after the Union Home Minister’s declaration to wipe out Maoism by March 2026, encounters, arrests and militarisation in Adivasi regions have intensified. Hundreds of Adivasis, unarmed villagers and ordinary citizens have been killed in both Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. The recent killing of Madvi Hidma has exposed the real face of the so-called anti-Maoist campaign where the government issues appeals for surrender while simultaneously carrying out killings in staged encounters. Devkinandan Bedia of the Adivasi Sangharsh Morcha questioned why violence was chosen at a time when Maoist organisations had expressed willingness for ceasefire and dialogue.
Dinesh Murmu of the JJM said that laws like UAPA and SIR have become weapons of repression. Thousands of Adivasis, youth and activists have been jailed under these laws. The message is clear that the legacy of our ancestors, their land and forests, is being snatched away from us.
Hiralal Tudu from Gomia said that the Hemant Soren government is blindly following the Centre’s anti-Maoist campaign and is paving the way for an anti-Adivasi strategy. The encounters that took place in Gomia on 21 April and 16 July have raised several questions.
Alma Khalkho of the Sangharsh Morcha said that projects are being approved through fake Gram Sabhas to loot land. Constitutional provisions such as 33 percent participation of women in Gram Sabhas are openly violated. Often only one woman is shown on record, that too in the name of the Mukhiya.
Leena Padam highlighted atrocities against women. Citing cases including that of Soni SorI, she said that Adivasi women and girls in conflict regions face forced labour, sexual violence and harassment. She called for bringing forward stories of women’s resistance and courage, giving them recognition and platforms, and educating society on the rights and dignity of Adivasi women.
Tom Kawla of the JJM expressed deep disappointment with the ‘Abua Sarkar’ (‘Our Government’ Slogan of Hemant Soren government). Its silence on the land bank, displacement and repressive policies has raised serious concerns. CPI M State Secretary Prakash Viplav described the Bharatmala project as a blueprint for large-scale displacement in Ranchi and surrounding areas. From West Singhbhum, Ajit Kandeyang reported that security camps are being set up continuously without Gram Sabha consent.
Gautam Munda said that efforts are being made to divert attention from the real issues of Adivasis by promoting divisions within communities on the basis of caste and religion. Representatives of the Chero community shared details about the occupation of 130 acres of hill land in Satbarwa, cases filed against hundreds of people and even notices issued regarding the Nilamber–Pitamber statue, while large-scale displacement continues in the name of the Palamu Tiger Reserve. Ashok Verma said that while the Modi government spreads communal poison using slogans like Vande Mataram, villagers are singing Vande Mataram while resisting the anti-people Gondulpur coal project through democratic struggle.
Speakers pointed out corporate groups such as Adani and said that Adivasi areas are being cleared for mining, infrastructure and energy projects. Those who protest are branded as anti-national. State repression is not limited to armed movements alone. Peaceful democratic struggles against displacement, forced mining, forced construction of security camps and militarisation are also being crushed. Between 2019 and 2023 more than 10,400 arrests were made under UAPA across India, including 501 in Jharkhand.
The meeting proposed a Resistance Week from 1 to 9 January, an Assembly gherao and other programmes. Calls were made for legal awareness, people’s education, organised mass movements and broad unity.
