Calcutta High Court Orders Action to Prevent Rail Blockade Disruptions on September 20
In a key move, the Calcutta High Court has stepped in to ensure that a planned rail blockade by the Kurmi community doesn’t disrupt daily life in West Bengal. On Thursday, a division bench led by Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Smita Das De directed Indian Railways and the West Bengal government to take swift steps. Their goal? Make sure the September 20 protest doesn’t cause chaos for commuters and the economy.
The protest call comes from Adivasi Kurmi Samaj, the biggest group representing the Kurmi community. Last month, they announced a simultaneous rail blockade in tribal areas of West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha. The main demand is Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Kurmi community, which they say will help with better opportunities and recognition.
This isn’t the first time. The court pointed out that similar Kurmi community rail blockades happened in 2022 and 2023, leading to massive financial losses for both the railways and the state. A petition against the upcoming blockade highlighted these risks, urging the court to intervene and avoid huge economic hits.
During the hearing, the bench recalled directions from another Calcutta High Court panel in September 2023. Those guidelines focused on controlling such rail blockades effectively. Now, the current bench has ordered Railways authorities and the West Bengal government to follow those same steps for the September 20 event in West Bengal.
Tensions are rising across the region. In Jharkhand, political and social campaigns for Kurmi ST status are gaining steam, with organizations gearing up for more agitations in Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. But not everyone agrees—other tribal groups are pushing back hard, worried it could spark clashes.
In West Bengal, Kurmi leaders have long claimed there’s an "administrative conspiracy" at play. They accuse the state of stirring up the Santal community against them, which they say is weakening their movement. The West Bengal government has firmly denied these charges from the start.
As the date approaches, all eyes are on how authorities will handle the Kurmi community rail blockade to keep things running smoothly. Stay tuned for updates on this ongoing ST status demand and its impact on rail services in eastern India.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
