RANCHI: In a startling revelation, several makeshift schools operating in Maoist-affected villages such as Kurunga, Muhiya, and Bargari under the Arki Block of Khunti are allegedly instructing students not to believe in the Indian Constitution.
These schools, run by villagers, do not follow any structured syllabus, and there are no designated classes. Instead, children and young adults study together in a single class made of bamboo and iron sheets from 7 am to 9 am.
According to estimates, more than 500 students attend these schools daily without books or notebooks. Interestingly, the parents of these children, who also study in these schools, claim to belong to the AC Kutumb family and reject the Indian Constitution. Many families in Kurunga, Muchia, and Bargadi are associated with this ideology.
These are the same people who attempted to establish a parallel government through the Patthalgadi movement in Khunti and surrounding areas a few years ago. That movement was later suppressed by the then Raghubar Das government through strict measures.
Although these families belong to the tribal community, they do not follow traditional tribal customs. Instead of greeting others with Johar, they say, “Swarta Pitu Ki Jai.” They also refuse to keep any government-issued identity documents.
They consider Kunwar Kesari Singh, originally from Gujarat, as their ‘Sarkar’ (government) and refuse to follow Indian laws. After his death, his son, Ravindra Gaamith, took over and now runs what they call the AC Bharat Sarkar. He is accused of misleading the tribals of Khunti, persuading them to join his movement and boycott the government by running AC Kutumb schools in the region.
“Villagers of Kurunga, Muchia, and Bargadi are being misled due to the non-implementation of the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA Act). Followers of Kunwar Kesari Singh, who claim to be the original government of India, have made inroads among the innocent tribals here, due to which they are not ready to accept the Constitution of India,” said Rozgar Sevak in Arki Block, Surendra Singh Munda.
Under the influence of Gujarat’s Kesari family, these people have become anti-Constitution, he added. “They have been fooling local tribals and children, depriving them of education while teaching them whatever they wish in these schools. Nobody knows what is actually being taught,” Munda said.
Locals argue that the situation has worsened due to the lack of proper schools in the region. They demand that schools, which were previously closed under the merger policy, be reopened to provide children with quality education.
“There are schools here, but they are run by people of AC Kutumb Parivar. Due to a lack of resources, parents do not send their children outside for education. Nearly 50 children study in these schools,” said Mukhiya Geeta Samad.
Khunti Deputy Commissioner Lokesh Mishra confirmed that the matter had been brought to his attention and that an inquiry had already been ordered. “If found true, strict action will be taken against those responsible for running these schools,” he said.
“I have already asked the District Education Officer (DEO) to look into the matter and submit a report. If such schools are found to be operational, strict action will be taken against those involved in this conspiracy,” he added.
Mishra also noted that all government schools in the region are functional. “If I receive requests to reopen schools that were closed during the merger, I am asking the Gram Sabha to submit an application, which I will forward to higher officials,” he said.