BJP asks Jharkhand CM to follow Kerala High Court order on tribal caste certificates

THE JS NETWORK

Ranchi, Sept 28: Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and BJP national Vice President Raghubar Das has written a letter to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, requesting him to issue ST caste certificates only to the people of Scheduled Tribe community who follow the established customs, traditional costumes and traditions.

Citing the decision of the Kerala High Court, Das has urged the chief minister to direct the Personnel Department to issue a letter in this regard.

Das, in his letter, said that the tribal society had appointed him to the post of chief minister with great confidence, but now they are feeling betrayed. “The tribal society expects justice from him, but with regret, it has to be said that by becoming the chief minister, he has betrayed the tribal society the most. It is not hidden from anyone that the tribal society is going through a bad phase in Jharkhand today. The tradition and identity of the tribal society in Jharkhand are in danger because of the Soren government. Those running his government behind the scenes want the Scheduled Tribe community here to take up the guitar instead of Mandar,” Das has said in his letter.

“So, instead of misleading the tribal community, especially the Sarna community, in the name of Sarna Code, he should at least implement what is in his hands. There is an age-old demand of the Scheduled Tribe community that an ST caste certificate should be issued only to those who follow established customs, traditional costumes, and traditions,” Das maintained.

Das further said that in 1997, in the case of the State of Kerala and another versus Chandramohan, the Kerala High Court had given a clear verdict as to what should be the basis for issuing Scheduled Tribe certificates. But the Hemant Soren government is silent on this important issue, the ex-CM has said.

Pointing out the essence of the decision of Kerala High Court, the BJP leader said that both the mother and father of the applicant should be members of a Scheduled Tribe. “The marriage of their parents should have been done as per the customs and traditions of the respective tribe. Their marriage should have been done by the tribal society and it should have been recognized by the society. Caste conventions, traditions, and rituals are being followed by the applicant and his parents,” he said.

“The authority should also enquire whether the applicant and his parents are following the rules of inheritance and succession of their ancestors or not. Caste certificate should be issued only after investigation of all these matters,” he signed off.