Hemant Soren government’s first decision: withdraw Pathalgarhi and CNT-SPT protest cases

In its first cabinet decision, the new Jharkhand government on Sunday began the process of withdrawing all cases filed against tribals involved in the Pathalgarhi movement and against people who protested over amendments to the Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act. The decision was taken in Ranchi soon after Hemant Soren of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha was sworn in as Chief Minister for a second time.

The swearing-in

The oath ceremony was attended by many opposition leaders and regional leaders. Their presence was seen as a show of unity that could point towards a wider anti-BJP alliance, at a time of protests against the new citizenship law.

Why the cases were filed

The previous Raghubar Das government amended the two land laws, the Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) and Chotanagpur Tenancy (CNT) Acts, in 2016, angering tribal communities. The changes were passed in the Assembly reportedly without debate, amid opposition protests, and several memorandums asked the governor not to sign them. The amendments sought to allow land acquisition for development projects, and set off large protests across the state. Protesters were denied buses and police were told to keep them out of Ranchi. The JMM and the rest of the opposition protested both inside and outside the Assembly.

The Pathalgarhi movement took shape last year, with thousands of villages declaring themselves autonomous by placing a special stone outside their boundaries. Some referred to the area as an “adivasi corridor”. These villages ran their own schools for children taken out of government schools.

Other decisions

• Clearing arrears owed to para-teachers, contract staff and aanganwadi workers, and pending student scholarships.
• Filling vacancies in government departments.
• Setting up fast-track courts in every district for cases of sexual offences.
• Calling a three-day assembly session from January 6, with senior JMM MLA Stephen Marandi as pro-tem Speaker until a regular Speaker is elected.

The cabinet meeting was chaired by Soren and attended by three ministers who had been sworn in earlier that day.

Background

In the 2019 Jharkhand election the JMM won 30 seats, the BJP 25 and the Congress 16.

Originally published on 30 December 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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