Tribals in Ranchi rally against Kurmis’ demand for ST status

13 OCTOBER 2025

Thousands of people from various tribal groups took out an ‘Akrosh Maharally’ in Ranchi to protest the Kurmi community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
The rally sawparticipation by tribal leaders, youths and women from different districts of the State.
Kumudini Dhan, a tribal leader, said it is just a token protest by all 32 tribes of the State to showcase the tribal strength.
On September 20, 2025 thousands of protesters squatted on railway tracks at various stations across the State under the banner of Adivasi Kurmi Samaj (AKS) to press their demand for a Scheduled Tribe status for the Kurmi community and inclusion of the Kurmali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Kurmi refers to a Hindu agricultural caste or community found in India and Nepal, also known as Kunbi.
Believed to be descendants of the Aryan Kshatriya (warrior) caste who became farmers, they are known for their agricultural skills and hard work.
Today, they are a prominent community, categorized as Other Backward Classes (OBC) in some regions and actively seeking further representation and status.