That 117 year old law which is still the soul of Jharkhand, know why it is so special:

News India Live, Digital Desk: 117 years ago, when the country was under the British rule, a law was made on the land of Jharkhand which is still considered as the ‘protector’ of the tribal society here. we are talking Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act (CNT Act) Of, which was implemented on 11 November 1908.

But what is this law after all? And why was there a need to make it? Let us understand its entire story today in very simple words.

Why was this law made?

This story is from the time when outsiders, who were called ‘Diku’, were coming to the area of ​​Chhotanagpur and grabbing the lands of the simple tribal people here. Sometimes they used to take over their lands by trapping them in debt and sometimes by cheating. Earth aba against this Birsa Munda Had launched a huge movement, which is known as ‘Ulgulan’.

The sacrifices of Birsa Munda and his countless comrades did not go in vain. His movement shook the roots of British rule. The British had understood that if the water, forests and land of the tribals were not protected, the fire of rebellion would never be extinguished. The CNT Act was enacted to pacify this rebellion and provide the tribals their rights.

What is the biggest strength of this law?

The most direct and important rule of the CNT Act is that No non-tribal person can buy any tribal land under this law.

• This law ensures that the land of the tribals remains with their community.
• Even if a tribal has to sell his land, he can sell it only to a person from his own community (such as Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste or Backward Class) living in his own police station area. For this also he has to take permission from the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the district.
• This law has saved tribals from being evicted from their land for years and has played a huge role in saving their culture and identity.

Even today, after 117 years, when Jharkhand is a separate state, the CNT Act remains the biggest legal weapon to protect the tribal identity and existence here. This is not just a law, but a living symbol of the struggle and sacrifice of great heroes like Birsa Munda.