Understanding the Pathalgadi Movement's Operational Area

The Pathalgadi Movement is a socio-political movement that gained prominence in certain tribal areas of India. The term 'Pathalgadi' refers to the practice of erecting large stone slabs (pathals) as a traditional way of marking community land, boundaries, and commemorating ancestors.

In the context of the recent movement, these stone slabs were used to proclaim the autonomy of the Gram Sabha (village council) and assert tribal rights over land and resources, often citing provisions from the Constitution of India, particularly those related to tribal self-governance (like the Fifth Schedule areas and PESA - Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act).

The movement primarily focuses on tribal-majority areas where issues related to land alienation, resource control, and governance are critical. While similar sentiments and practices exist in various tribal regions, the recent surge and prominence of the Pathalgadi Movement have been most significant in a specific cluster of states.

Let's look at the options provided and identify the cluster where the Pathalgadi Movement has been prominently operational:

• Option 1: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh - While these states have tribal populations and issues, they are not the primary focus of the recent Pathalgadi movement as it gained widespread attention.
• Option 2: Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha - This cluster of states in Eastern and Central India has significant tribal populations and falls under the Fifth Schedule. These states, particularly parts of Jharkhand, have been the epicenter of the recent Pathalgadi Movement, with related activities observed in bordering areas of Chhattisgarh and Odisha. The movement's assertion of Gram Sabha authority and customary laws has been most visible and impactful here.
• Option 3: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar - Parts of Madhya Pradesh and Bihar have tribal areas, but Uttar Pradesh has a smaller tribal population compared to the others. This combination does not represent the core area of the Pathalgadi Movement.
• Option 4: West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh - Odisha is part of the core area. However, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, while having tribal populations, have not been as prominently associated with the large-scale Pathalgadi actions seen in Jharkhand and nearby regions.

Based on reports and geographical focus, the Pathalgadi Movement has been most prominently operational in the cluster comprising Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.