‘Adivasi jhukega nahi. It’s not in our DNA…Corruption isn’t peculiar to Jharkhand. What matters is how action is taken’

Kalpana Soren, wife of former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, made her political debut just as Soren resigned as CM before ED took him into custody four months ago. As Hemant Soren’s bail plea comes up in SC on May 17, Kalpana tells TOI that the JMM chief “paid the price for not succumbing to pressure”. The daughter of an army officer, Kalpana gave her first election speech in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan in INDIA bloc’s rally protesting Kejriwal’s arrest. She’s contesting as a JMM candidate in Giridih’s Gandey assembly bypoll on May 20.Soren’s bail plea called the arrest a ‘conspiracy’.Hemantji’s paid the price for not succumbing to pressure. Jharkhand has always been treated as a stepson. He raised the issue of state govt not having been paid royalty on minerals. When allotment of around 8L PM Awas schemes for Jharkhand was cancelled, and diverted to states with ‘double engine govts’, Hemantji introduced Abua Awas scheme from the state coffers. Obviously, the challenge was growing bigger for the Centre. He wasn’t arrested for corruption. Were investigators really serious, they would’ve at least asked the owners of the land, those who claimed the land is theirs. Instead, even they’ve been clubbed as accused in the case.Central agencies’ raids in Jharkhand were alleged to be ‘political vendetta’. But you can’t deny recovery of cash and bureaucracy’s involvement.Corruption is not peculiar to Jharkhand. It’s rampant and a global phenomenon. What matters is how action is taken. Action was being taken in the state selectively, on select matters. What about corruption of different forms — when Centre refused the state legitimate share of state royalty? When schemes were diverted to other states? When promises of providing jobs were not fulfilled?You talk up tribal identity, tribal pride. Will you champion these at the national level?Our demand is for a separate code for Sarna religion for tribals so that their identity, culture and traditions remain protected. They cannot be clubbed with any other religious group. When I was asked to speak at Rahul Gandhi’s Nyay Yatra in Mumbai, I realised it was a big platform from where I could raise the matter of injustice to Hemantji. For tribal rights, instances of oppression must also be highlighted. As far as taking a decision to give voice to tribal issues nationally, I’m waiting for Hemantji’s release from jail. He’s already a national icon of tribal fighters who chose to go to jail but never compromised.Were you ready to join politics?I had no plans to enter politics. I was happy in my role as a homemaker, but my life changed completely after Jan 31. We faced a lot of challenges on the family front, and politics as well. My in-laws are not keeping well, Hemantji was jailed and there was a political vacuum in his absence. In the same period, I learnt from the media that my sister-in-law was joining BJP. From taking care of my in-laws to taking care of legal aspects of Hemantji’s case, I also had the challenge of keeping Baba’s (Shibu Soren) JMM in order. It was on my birthday, March 3, that I decided to take up our political responsibilities as well.How are you coping with the challenges?Born in an army family, I was always prepared for challenges. Since I must devote time to the party, my parents are here to support me. My father travels with me when needed. Mother takes care of the kids back home.You often speak of your multicultural upbringing.My schooling was in central schools across the country. Later I completed my engineering degree from Odisha, my home state, and after marriage pursued MBA. Being in central schools, I was exposed to various cultures and traditions and fortunately after my marriage into a political family, I found it very comfortable, where we participated in all festivals and mingled with people from all sections of society.Is this a stopgap arrangement, till Soren’s return?Certainly not. If I’ve entered politics, I’m here to learn from the elders and carry forward the ideals of Dishom Guru, Hemantji and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. Tribals are known for their struggle. They’ve not learnt to succumb to any sort of pressure. Aadivasi jhukega nahi. Hamare DNA mein hi nahi hai. Be it a dictator or anyone standing against us, we live with our heads held high.Jharkhand votes on May 20 in the second (3 seats) of its 4-phase polls.