Ranchi, Aug 13 (IANS) Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has strongly objected to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, passed by both Houses of Parliament, and demanded that the Centre withdraw it immediately.

Warning of statewide agitation, Soren said that if the legislation is not rolled back, Jharkhand will launch a massive movement that “the entire country will witness”.

Addressing party MPs, district presidents and office-bearers through video conferencing on Thursday, the Chief Minister announced a coordinated campaign against the Bill across the state.

He said protests would be organised in every district, block, panchayat, and urban centre to oppose what he described as an anti-Jharkhand measure.

Soren termed the legislation an injustice to Jharkhand and its people, arguing that it poses a serious threat to the state’s development and the future of coming generations.

He asserted that Jharkhand would not accept what he called the Centre’s “stepmotherly treatment” towards the state.

Questioning the Centre’s authority over the state’s mineral resources, Soren said, “If the minerals belong to Jharkhand and the land belongs to Jharkhand, then why should decisions regarding the state’s rights and interests be taken in Delhi?”

The Chief Minister alleged that the Union government had weakened Jharkhand’s rights by pushing the Bill through Parliament in haste.

He further claimed that the legislation could adversely affect the state’s social security and welfare programmes, including the Maiyan Samman Yojana, Abua Awas Yojana, pensions, and education and healthcare initiatives.

Soren said the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) would strongly oppose the Bill and reiterated his demand that the Centre withdraw it without delay.

He warned that if the Union government failed to address the state’s concerns and restore Jharkhand’s rights, the state would not hesitate to take decisive and historic steps.

Directing the party organisation to intensify its campaign against the Bill, Soren said the protest movement would be taken to every village and panchayat across the state.

Among those present during the virtual meeting were MPs Vijay Hansda and Mahua Maji, state minister and party General Secretary Sudivya Kumar, General Secretary Vinod Pandey, Abhishek Prasad Pintu, along with district unit presidents and several party functionaries.

–IANS

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