Shubhendu Adhikari announces withdrawal of cases against Kurmi community

West Bengal Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari has announced that all legal cases filed against members of the Kurmi community during previous protests will be withdrawn. Speaking at a Karam festival event in Purulia, Adhikari criticized the previous Trinamool Congress administration, alleging it sought to divide the community rather than support its demands.

The Kurmi community had previously engaged in road and rail blockades to demand Scheduled Tribe (ST) status and the inclusion of the Kurmali language in the Constitution’s Eighth Schedule. Adhikari pledged that his government would make every effort to include both the Kurmali and Rajbanshi languages in the Eighth Schedule.

To support community development, the state has allocated 50 crore rupees in this year’s budget, with intentions to increase this amount. Additionally, the government plans to reactivate the Kurmi Development Board and execute development works valued at 1,600 crore rupees. Adhikari also noted that the Kurmi community will be excluded from the scope of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) currently being developed by a state commission.