Members of the Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (save democracy campaign), a collective effort of rights activists and public organisations in the JMM-Congress-RJD-ruled Jharkhand, claim that there is people’s anger against the Narendra Modi-led Centre.

Members of the Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan told media at Ranchi on Monday that based on their year-long interaction with the masses, public meetings, yatras and conferences in various parliamentary constituencies in the context of 2024 Lok Sabha elections, “there is a widespread anger against the Modi government, especially among the tribal, Dalits and working class people”.

“In the last year, our campaign has established contact with people across the state and organised public awareness programs, meetings, yatras, conferences etc. in the context of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. It is clear from the yatras and meetings in various Lok Sabha constituencies that there is widespread anger against the Modi government, especially the Adivasis, Dalits and other people of the working class,” said woman tribal rights activist Aloka Kujur.

“People are continuously flagging three issues against the Modi government — promises became empty words in 10 years, attack on people’s rights and increase in violence and social divisions in the name of religion,” said Kujur, who is based in Ranchi.

“Even in rural areas, people recall the deceptions of Rs 15 lakh in every account, 2 crore employment annually, doubling of farmers’ income. People remember the arbitrary and disastrous decisions like demonetisation and lockdown. They are troubled by daily inflation. Over the past decade, there has been no increase in the real wage rates or improvements in the working conditions and social security of workers, especially migrant workers,” she added.

The campaign members felt that in the Scheduled Tribe reserved Lok Sabha constituencies, “The Adivasi society is unanimous of the opinion that during the tenure of Modi government, the pro-people laws and provisions related to the protection of forest, water, land and minerals have been weakened. The attempts by the RSS and the BJP to divide the Adivasis in the name of Sarna-Christians also stand exposed. There is widespread anger over the recent arrest of tribal chief minister Hemant Soren on fabricated charges.”

Incidentally, among the 14 Lok Sabha seats in Jharkhand five (Dumka, Rajmahal, Khunti, Singhbhum and Lohardaga) are ST reserved.

“Majority of the people from rural areas have also clearly shared that under Modi’s rule, religious divisions and violence increased. The Modi government is trying to establish the dominance of Hindu religion in the country. People understand this and have little tolerance for such divisive politics. They are unequivocally against India becoming a Hindu rashtra,” said Siraj Datta.

The members felt that there was anger regarding the weakening of reservations and privatization of government jobs by the Modi government.

“People during our interaction also said that BJP workers are spreading lies in their villages, such as the Modi government giving 5 kg ration and pension and ending poverty. The campaign has exposed these lies. Ration is provided under the National Food Security Act 2013 made by the UPA government and most of the pension is given by the state government,” added Siraj.