Why did indigenous communities seek a separate Jharkhand state?

Indigenous communities, primarily the Adivasis or Scheduled Tribes, sought a separate state to address long-standing socioeconomic neglect and to protect their distinct identity and resources. Following Indian independence, the region—then part of southern Bihar—received relatively few benefits, leading to widespread discontent with the Bihar administration.12

The movement gained significant momentum through the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), which was formed in 1973 to advocate for the rights of tribal communities, peasants, and industrial workers in the resource-rich region. The struggle was rooted in the desire to:2

• Promote inclusive growth: Ensure that the region's wealth directly benefited its local inhabitants.2
• Protect identity and rights: Safeguard the cultural and social interests of indigenous groups who existed outside the traditional caste hierarchy.12
• Secure political autonomy: Gain control over local governance to better address the specific needs of the tribal population.12

This decades-long effort culminated in the creation of Jharkhand as a separate state on November 15, 2000.12