A nationwide bandh has been declared for Tuesday, July 4, according to the Olchiki Hul Baisi organisation, which is calling for a four-point agenda to better the Santali community. A torchlight procession was led from Jamshedpur’s Sunder Nagar to Karandih Chowk on the eve of the bandh. Majhi Baba of the hamlet of Podhesa led the procession.
The organisation has been calling for a separate Santali academy, the printing and reading of literature in the Santali language using the Olchiki alphabet, and the reinstatement of Santali instructors.
The organisation has demanded a total closure of Jharkhand on Tuesday in response to the Jharkhand government’s alleged disregard for its demands.
According to reports in the area, people dressed in traditional attire flocked to the streets to express their demands while being backed by the rhythmic beats of drums.
The organisation said that they would block highways and railroad lines to support their demands and that the bandh would be successful.
All business owners were urged to lock their doors and to cease moving any cars on the roads in order to ensure the success of the Jharkhand Bandh.
The government was given till June 27 to begin publishing and disseminating books in Santhali script.
The Olchiki Hul Baisi were referred to be the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s B squad by national Adivasi Sengel Abhiyan Salkhan Murmu president.