Tribal seats will get reduced after delimitation, says Jharkhand minister

Jharkhand’s ST, SC and Backward Class Welfare minister Chamra Linda on Tuesday expressed concern over the proposed delimitation of parliamentary and assembly seats and said that population-based allocation of constituencies could result in a "reduction of seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes" in the state.

He said that the tribal population declined after every delimitation exercise in the state.

Reacting to this, the BJP also expressed concern over the declining tribal population in Jharkhand and demanded for a National Register of Citizens (NRC).

"Six tribal seats would have reduced in 2008 under Delimitation Act 2002, if JMM chief Shibu Soren had not opposed it strongly. Now, I am more concerned about the upcoming delimitation process in 2026. I fear six tribal seats may again reduce," he said in the Assembly.

The tribal population, he added, was 39 per cent in 1951 in the state but it reduced after every delimitation process. "It is a matter of concern why the tribal population is declining. If it declines in such a way, tribals will vanish one day. I seek the opposition's support to protect tribals," he said.

Supporting Linda’s concern, Congress legislator Rameshwar Oraon said that the proposed delimitation is being opposed by many states, mainly southern states. "It will not be correct to reduce tribal seats based on population," he said.

Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi of BJP said the opposition is with the government over the preservation of tribal seats.

"It is a serious concern that tribal population is declining in the state and Muslim population is rising. The tribal population in Santhal Parganas declined by around 17 per cent since 1951 till 2011, while the Muslim population grew during the period," Marandi said and added that NRC would make it clear who belongs to Jharkhand and who doesn't.