Ranchi
Train services across parts of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha were severely disrupted on Saturday (September 20) as members of the Adivasi Kudmi Samaj launched an indefinite “Rail Teka” (Rail Roko) agitation.
The protesters are demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Kudmi community and recognition of the Kudmali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Kudmis in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and Assam had on earlier occasions too halted trains on important lines to press for their demand.
The agitation, which began early in the morning, had its biggest impact on the Dhanbad Division of East Central Railway, where several trains were cancelled, diverted, or held up mid-route. South Eastern Railway (SER) also reported significant disruptions at multiple points in its Ranchi, Chakradharpur, and Kharagpur divisions.
Several passenger and express trains were cancelled in view of the protests, including Hatia–Barddhaman MEMU, Tatanagar–Gua MEMU (both directions), Hatia–Kharagpur Express, Hatia–Asansol Express, Ranchi–Patna Express, Ranchi–Patna Vande Bharat Express, Ranchi–Dumka Express, Bhojudih–Chandrapura MEMU (both directions).
In the Dhanbad Division, cancellations included Dhanbad–Patna Intercity, Barwadih–Gomoh MEMU (both directions), Chandrapura–Dhanbad MEMU, Gomoh–Asansol Passenger, and Sindri–Dhanbad Passenger.
Protesters also blocked several express and intercity trains on open tracks and at major junctions. Among them were Dhanbad–Sasaram Intercity (stopped at Gomoh), Patna–Barkakana Express (stopped at Tori), Asansol–Hatia Passenger (ran only till Hazaribagh Town), Patna–Ranchi Jan Shatabdi Express (short run till Koderma) and Patna–Ranchi Vande Bharat Express (short run till Gaya).
To ensure partial connectivity, many long-distance trains were diverted through alternate routes. Notable diversions included: Jammu Tawi–Kolkata Express, Bikaner–Sealdah Duronto Express Ajmer–Sealdah Express, New Delhi–Howrah Poorva Express, Howrah–Ranchi Shatabdi Express (via Asansol–Joychandi Pahar), Sealdah–Gandhidham Special (via Asansol–Jhajha–Kiul).
Some trains were either short-terminated or short-originated to avoid protest-affected sections. For instance: Kharagpur–Ranchi Express was short-terminated at Purulia, Kharagpur–Hatia Express ended at Adra, Asansol–Ranchi Express was curtailed at Kotshila, and Ranchi–Asansol Express began from Purulia.
According to South Eastern Railway, demonstrations took place at Bhanjpur (Kharagpur Division), the Sini–Gamharia section (Chakradharpur Division), Rakhamines–Galudih (Kharagpur Division), and Latemda–Jhimri & Namkum–Tatisilwai (Ranchi Division).
At several points, trains were held under “controlled movement,” including the Ranchi–Varanasi Vande Bharat, Tatanagar–Patna Vande Bharat, Hatia–Purnia Court Express, and long-distance trains from Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Jammu Tawi bound for Howrah or Tatanagar.
The Demand Behind the Agitation
The Kudmi community has long sought ST recognition. Community leaders argue that Kudmis were listed as a Scheduled Tribe in the 1931 Census but were “erroneously dropped” in the revised list of 1950. “Our exclusion was a historical mistake that must be corrected,” said Chhotelal Mahato, senior vice-president of the central Kudmi Mahasabha.
In addition to ST status, the protesters are demanding constitutional recognition for the Kudmali language under the Eighth Schedule. The movement has found traction across the broader Chotanagpur region spanning Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha.
Administrative Measures
Anticipating large-scale disruption, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were imposed around major railway stations including Tatanagar on Friday. Security has been tightened across sensitive stretches, with state administrations on high alert.
With the agitation declared indefinite, railway passengers across Jharkhand, Bengal, and Odisha are likely to face further disruptions in the coming days. Officials said train operations will continue to be regulated until the protest is withdrawn or a resolution is reached.
What The Adivasis Say?
Tribal communities oppose the Kudmi community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status, fearing a loss of land and jobs, and citing cultural and historical differences with existing tribal groups. Tribal organizations have organized counter protests and demonstrations to express their dissent, arguing that granting ST status to Kudmis would negatively affect the rights and economic status of the aboriginal tribes.
