States » NorthPosted at: Oct 25 2026 12:14AM


Congress accuses Chhattisgarh govt of hurting tribal sentiments

Raipur, Oct 24 (UNI) The Congress has accused the Chhattisgarh government of hurting tribal sentiments by making the family responsible for the traditional Jogi ritual leave Jagdalpur's Sirhasar Bhawan before the conclusion of the Bastar Dussehra ceremonies.
The administration has denied forcibly removing the family, saying it left voluntarily.
The controversy comes after an earlier incident in which a JCB machine was used to pull the festival chariot when a wheel broke during its circumambulation.
Tribal participants objected, saying the use of machinery violated established customs. Protests followed, along with allegations that force was used against those opposing the move.
The latest dispute centres on Daulat Nag and his family, who have performed the Jogi ritual for generations. The family alleged that it was asked to leave Sirhasar Bhawan without prior notice and before completing the customary ceremonies.
Daulat Nag said officials cited preparations for President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Jagdalpur and the Muria Darbar, held at the venue on Friday, as reasons for their departure.
The family expressed resentment over being unable to participate in several important rituals. The Jogi ritual holds spiritual significance in Bastar Dussehra, one of the region’s most important traditional festivals.
However, Jagdalpur tehsildar Rahul Gupta disputed the family’s account, saying the Jogi and his relatives had returned to their village voluntarily.
Officials had also completed the customary farewell ceremony before their departure, he said.
Chhattisgarh Congress president Deepak Baij criticised the government over the controversy, alleging that the Muria Darbar, traditionally a forum for public concerns, had been turned into a political spectacle.
While welcoming the President’s visit, Baij questioned what Bastar had gained from her visits to the region. He alleged that the administration had removed the Jogi family and had earlier forced out a person involved in making the festival chariot.
Baij also referred to an accident involving the chariot in which, he said, one tribal person died and another was injured. He alleged that compensation had not been paid.
The Congress leader further accused the authorities of misrepresenting a traditional Dussehra image by presenting a different girl in place of the customary representative of Kachhan Devi.
He claimed the alleged substitution had angered and insulted members of the Panka community. Raising the issue of tribal people facing criminal cases, Baij claimed that more than 4,000 people are in jail and over 25,000 have permanent warrants against them.
He questioned why they had not received relief. The figures were not independently verified.
Responding to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s assertion that the Congress had done little for tribal communities over the past 50 years, Baij said his party had worked to protect tribal culture and secure constitutional safeguards.
He cited the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, job reservations and political representation as measures introduced under Congress governments. Baij said the Congress and its INDIA bloc allies would hold a “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao” rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on November 1.
A large contingent of party office bearers and workers from Chhattisgarh would participate, he said.
Baij also criticised the state government for not announcing the paddy procurement start date as of October 24, saying the delay had left farmers anxious ahead of the festive season.
He alleged that preparations at procurement centres remained incomplete, including arrangements for the availability of gunny bags and the purchase of paddy. Under previous governments, procurement began around November 1, allowing farmers to receive payments in time for the festivities, he said.
The PCC chief demanded that procurement must begin before Diwali. If that is not possible, the government should provide advance payments to farmers, Baij said.
He also demanded a procurement rate of ₹3,158 per quintal for the current year. Referring to increases in the minimum support price over the past three years, he argued that these should be added to the BJP’s promised rate of ₹3,100 per quintal, taking the total to ₹3,358 per quintal.
UNI SRC RN
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