Jhodias threaten to boycott 2024 polls over tribal status

Koraput: People of the Jhodia community in Rayagada district have threatened to boycott the 2024 general election unless their demand for tribal status is fulfilled. Hundreds of members of the community assembled at Bagrijhola village under Kashipur block in Rayagada district on Sunday to press for their demand. “For the past several years, we have been demanding tribal status for our community but to no avail. From time to time, we have staged demonstrations demanding tribal status but the government hasnot taken any action yet,” said Sumani Jhodia, a prominent leader of the community. If our community is not included in the tribal list beofre the 2024 election, then we will not take part in the electoral process,” she added. Around 50,000 Jhodias live in around 85 villages, particularly in Kasipur block of Rayagada district, and eke out a living by collecting forest produce and as daily wage labourers. The Jhodias even refused to share details with the enumerators for the 2011 Census unless they got tribal status. They also boycotted the 2012 panchayat election. A source said there was some confusion over the tribal status of Jhodias in Rayagada district for the past two decades. The community leaders claimed they were enjoying tribal status, but since the late nineties they have been included in the OBC list. Recently, community members met Koraput Congress MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka in Delhi to press for their demand.