The state of Jharkhand is constantly facing a threat to its demography on multiple counts be it the rampant evangelical activities of the Christian Missionaries or illegal Muslim Infiltrators but the issue remained relegated to the sidelines. Now, underscoring the need to address this, the Jharkhand unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party has made the demographic shift a central focus in its campaign for the upcoming state assembly elections.
BJP’s focus on anti-infiltration has become a key issue for the Jharkhand assembly elections. On the 28th of October, the Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who is also the co-in-charge for the Jharkhand elections highlighted the concern of demographic shift.
While addressing the crowd, CM Sarma highlighted that the Muslim population in the state is rising due to illegal infiltrators adding that it could turn the state into “mini-Bangladesh.”
Speaking with ANI, CM Sarma said, “The infiltrators are causing a huge disturbance in Jharkhand’s culture and ‘Adivasi asmita’. If this continues, Jharkhand will see a demographic change and it will become a mini-Bangladesh. Santhal Pargana is in line to become mini-Bangladesh.”
He added, “I ignite fire against infiltrators. Lord Hanuman had also set fire in Lanka. We have to set fire against infiltrators and make Jharkhand a golden land.”
He assured the people of Jharkhand of bringing the National Register for Citizens (NRC) to Santhal Pargana in order to solve the problem of illegal infiltrators.
He also stated the fact that some madrassas in Jharkhand are actively helping illegal immigrants by issuing Aadhar Cards. He even accused the Jharkhand CM of supporting the same.
“Not every Muslim is an infiltrator, but how is it that the Muslim population increases every five years?”, Sarma questioned, “Are families having 10-12 children? If that’s not the case, then people are certainly coming from outside.”
Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasized that winning the elections is secondary; the primary goal is to drive out infiltrators and secure justice for women. During his address, supporters chanted slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” as he pledged to implement the National Register for Citizens (NRC) in Santhal Pargana to address the issue.
Highlighting the party’s poll promises, Sarma added, “I have made three announcements- when we form government, NRC will be implemented and will throw out infiltrators. Second, if an immigrant has lured and married a tribal girl, their children will not be entitled to the benefits of STs. Third, if an immigrant marries a tribal girl, we will ensure that the girl does not contest the elections for the head of the tribe. It gives the immigrant an undue and indirect advantage to rule.”