MANBAZAR, PURULIA — The football ground turned into a parliament.
On Monday, Nov 3 [mobalised on Nov 2], Patharkata Maidan, Manbazar, in West Bengal's Purulia saw what organisers called a Mahasamabesh — a mega rally of Adivasis from Jungle Mahal. Called by Purulia district unit of Bharat Jakat Majhi Pargana Mahal, joined by around 20 other tribal outfits including Prakiti Banchao O Adivasi Banchao Mancha, it drew people from Purulia, Jhargram, Bankura, West Midnapore, with drone shots showing a sea of red-white flags.
The Telegraph reported the crowd as nearly a lakh — figure claimed by organisers, not independently verified — but visuals confirm thousands.
Demand: Jal, Jungle, Jamin.
"We want to protect our rights, including our constitutional rights to land, forest and water. Today, it was a mega rally to protect tribal rights," said Ratanlal Hansda, Purulia Majhi Pargana (district chief) of Bharat Jakat Majhi Pargana Mahal.
The immediate trigger: sponge iron and mining.
Read more - The Sacred Soil of Sex Workers
Leaders flagged Raghunathpur — Purulia's industrial belt — where two sponge iron factories recently got public hearing clearance without inviting tribal representatives. Purulia, with its Precambrian granite hills Tillaboni, Panjaniya, Ajodhya, has seen granite mining leases given to private firms like Todi Minerals since 2019, despite Forest Rights Act 2006 requiring Gram Sabha consent. Tillaboni villagers moved Calcutta High Court, mining stayed.
In Manbazar, villagers say illegal stone quarries operate at night, dust kills paddy, trucks crack mud houses. Water sources dry as mining hits aquifers. This is repeat of Ajodhya Hills movement — where earlier government tried three projects including tourism resort and power plant on sacred hills.
"Setting up mineral-based industries in Purulia has been regular phenomenon during tenures of all past governments," Hansda said. Rally was message to new government after 2026 Assembly polls.
Rajen Tudu, south Bengal convener of Prakiti Banchao O Adivasi Banchao Mancha, said public hearing is a farce — 90% attendees are company men, real Gram Sabha never consulted, violating PESA and FRA.
Read more - Same Story, Two Bodies In Bengal
Context matters. Purulia is 19% ST, largely Santhal, Bhumij, Munda, Birhor. After Lalgarh 2008-09 uprising that began in same Jungle Mahal against Jindal SEZ, state promised to respect tribal rights. Yet sponge iron — West Bengal's most polluting industry, with 400% higher PM emission than steel — keeps clustering in Raghunathpur, Barabhum.
Manbazar's message is not anti-development. Villagers showed placards: "We want schools, not smoke." They demanded implementation of FRA titles, stop to fake ST certificates that divert jobs, and mining lease cancellation without free, prior, informed consent.
Administration was present but silent. No clash.
As dusk fell on red laterite, thousands dispersed chanting "Disom Marandi Jitkar" — victory to Majhi Pargana. The football ground was empty, but the issue — who owns Purulia's hills — is back in court and on ground.
*Tags:* #Purulia #Manbazar #Adivasi #JungleMahal #MajhiParganaMahal #SpongeIron #IllegalMining #FRA #PESA #Tillaboni