Critically evaluate the problem of nation building in India with special reference to Jharkhand movement.
Answers
The word Jharkhand , meaning "forest region," applies to a forested mountainous plateau region in eastern India. The term dates at least to the sixteenth century. In the more extensive claims of the movement, Jharkhand comprises seven districts in Bihar, three in West Bengal, four in Orissa, and two in Madhya Pradesh. Ninety percent of the Scheduled Tribes in Jharkhand live in the Bihar districts. The tribal peoples, who are from two groups, the Chotanagpurs and the Santals, have been the main agitators for the movement.Jharkhand movement repudiated the Nehruvian model of nation building by reinventing regionalism as the basis of state reorganization in India. The modern tribal movement for regional autonomy is a phenomenon after India got independence. Jharkhand movement too is such a phe Jharkhand movement repudiated the Nehruvian model of nation building by reinventing regionalism as the basis of state reorganization in India. nomenon. The main aim of the Jharkhand movement was the creation of a separate “Adivasi state”. Before independence, it was the main issue. But after independence, decks were clear to orient the movement from ethnicity to regionalism. With this, Adivasi Mahasabha got affected since they were the champions for separate Adivasi state. According to 1941 census the “land” of Jharkhand had only 44 percent of tribals, thus the demand of having a separate tribal state could not be fulfilled.
According to Arunabha Ghosh, the Jharkhand movement lacked ideological bond over a period of time. In last quarter of 18th and throughout 19th century the fight was against British expansionism over tribal land and forest
In the first half of present century the struggle was for freedom against the colonial masters
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (1973) had Marxist ideology which included a demand for separate state as well as freedom from exploitation.
These series of changes within the movement with time reflected the confusion in ideology of the movement. Those who believed in socialism were not clear what they really mean, their ideas about communism varied, the leaders frequently changed their positions and all these led to the absence of any particular ideology.
Perhaps because of this lack of genuine ideological bond, in spite of leftist inclinations expressed sometimes, the result has been the emergence of new groups like the Jharkhand Liberation Front or the Jharkhand People’s Party to complicate matters further.