The Tribal–Indigenous Rights Forum has voiced significant anger over the Jharkhand government’s prolonged failure to implement the PESA Act. Vijay Shankar Nayak, the forum’s Central Vice President, declared that PESA is not just a law but the bedrock of Jharkhandi society’s survival, identity, and self-determination. He criticized the government’s evasive stance, stating it erodes the foundational power of village assemblies. Nayak demanded accountability, asking, ‘The public wants to know whose agenda the government is serving.’ He highlighted concerns that the delay is particularly advantageous to sectors involved in mining and land acquisition, leading to widespread speculation about corporate influence on the government’s decision-making. The government needs to provide a clear explanation for its inertia.
Nayak underscored the current limitations of Gram Sabha powers. He noted that despite various statements, the official PESA implementation notification has not been released. Crucially, there is no concrete clarity on the rules for empowering Gram Sabhas or defining the precise operational roles of local panchayats, leaving the people of Jharkhand in a state of uncertainty. This sluggish progress, he argued, appears to be a tactic to postpone rather than enact the promised empowerment. ‘The non-implementation of PESA will exacerbate the existential crisis,’ Nayak asserted.
He emphasized that PESA is vital for the existence of Jharkhand’s indigenous communities. Without its implementation, land will be lost, mineral resources will be exploited by external entities, and the local population will face further marginalization. Nayak issued a stark warning of impending widespread displacement, weakened traditional governance, and ramped-up exploitation of mineral wealth if the government persists in its inaction. The message to the government is unequivocal: ‘Act now or never.’ As the first year of the government’s second term draws to a close, Nayak emphasized this as a critical juncture for fulfilling the hopes of Jharkhand’s people. He called for an immediate announcement of a clear PESA implementation date, ideally by November 28, 2025, or very soon after. The forum is prepared to launch a state-wide protest campaign if the government continues its silence, indicating that the people’s patience has reached its limit.