The district administration on Monday refused permission to a tribal organisation to host a mega rally, just an hour before it was supposed to start on a field near the BJP state headquarters in Harmu here, to which ironically it had earlier given a nod two days ago.

Named Adivasi Astitva rally, and scheduled from noon with an expected turnout of over 20,000 from all across the state, its proceedings were halted by police personnel from Argora thana around 11am.

Policemen reached the venue with an administrative order issued by the office of subdivisional officer Garima Singh, Sanjay Pahan, state in-charge of Jai Adivasi Yuva Shakti, which had organised the rally, said.

Appearing shocked at the sudden turn of events, Pahan said he did not understand why the mega rally was cancelled so suddenly when he had the administration’s permission in writing dated March 23.

“On March 6, I wrote to the district administration about the proposed rally,” he told this paper. “On the basis of that information, the SDO allowed us to organise the rally, in writing again, on March 23. But today (Monday), on the very day, I was suddenly asked to cancel it.”

He added his organisation lost at least Rs 2 .5 lakh owing to the sudden cancellation. “We spent the money on pitching tents, arranging the sound system, transport and food, as well as the Jharkhand State Housing Board fees for booking the field as the venue,” Pahan said. “But more important, the scheduled rally was an important one for Jharkhand tribals.”

He said they had invited speakers to discuss issues of tribal rights and protection, such as attempts of non-tribals to get tribal (Scheduled Tribe) status for political and economic benefits, the attempts of the state government to displace tribals from forestland, the right of tribals over mines and minerals in Scheduled Areas, besides others. “On a lighter note, we would have also celebrated Sarhul Milan,” Pahan added.

Contacted, SDO Singh justified her stand. “Look, we cancelled the rally based on the report given by the circle office and the local police station,” he said. “I received a joint report of the circle officer of Argora (Vandana Bharti) and Argora thana officer in-charge (Rajeev Ranjan Lal) on Sunday suggesting the tribal rally might cause a law and order problem. The report also suggested that it could also be a case of violation of model code of conduct ahead of the Lok Sabha elections,” she said, adding these concerns prompted her decisions.

But, Christopher Xalxo, a speaker from Khunti invited to the rally, called it “anarchy”. “Why cannot tribals assemble to discuss their identity issues during election time?” he questioned. “Plus, the administration gave its permission two days ago and then revoked it an hour before the event. This is anarchy.”

State co-ordinator of Bharat Jan Andolan Junas Lakra echoed Xalxo. “Those running the state administration have no respect for tribal sentiments. Tribals in Scheduled Areas are reduced to vote banks. It seems they don’t have any right in this state to discuss strategies for their existence,” Xalxo said.