JMM, Cong. bid to divide society, undermine tribal rights won’t succeed: BJP

Leader of the Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Congress, accusing them of engaging in “divisive politics”. Mr. Marandi criticised the Congress for opposing the ‘Adivasi Samagam (tribal conclave)’.

Issuing a warning, he asserted that their conspiracy to divide society and undermine the fundamental rights of the tribal people would not succeed.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP State headquarters in Ranchi, Mr. Marandi pointed out that there is no difference between “Sarna, Sanatana, and Hindu traditions; rather, they all emphasise worshipping nature — trees, mountains, stones, water bodies and earth”.

“Within the community, there are over 700 distinct tribes across the country and in Jharkhand alone, there are 32 to 33 recognised tribes. In their respective villages and homes, these communities worship their own specific deities. This very ‘unity in diversity’ is an integral part of the Sanatana, Hindu, and Sarna traditions. Yet, despite such profound similarities, members of the Congress and the JMM claim that these communities are being “converted” into Hindus,” said the BJP leader.

‘Wrong claims’

He added, “The truth, however, is that there is absolutely no tradition of ‘making’ someone a Hindu; one is born into it. People are indeed ‘made’ Christians or Muslims. Sarna, Sanatana and Hindu identities are matters of birth.”

Attacking the ruling party, the former Chief Minister said the Congress is “following in the footsteps of the British by dividing society and pitting people against each other”.

“Congress is following the British philosophy of Divide and Rule. Now, as the Congress faces its exit from the national stage, the party is resorting to novel tactics to divide the society,” he alleged.

Mr. Marandi said there is an “urgent” need to preserve, protect, and develop all worship sites belonging to tribal communities such as Sarna Masna, Pahanai, Jaherthan and Manjhi Than.

He also alleged that land associated with tribal worship is being encroached upon by the mafia.

‘Sowing discord’

The former CM claimed that the Congress and the JMM are actively working to sow discord within the tribal community for the sake of vote-bank politics.

He said the Jharkhand government has made attempts through new rules governing the Panchayat Extension Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, notified in January, to undermine tribal traditions and customary systems. “A conspiracy is currently being hatched — driven by vote-bank politics — to isolate the indigenous tribal communities of this region. This conspiracy will not be allowed to succeed at any cost,” Mr. Marandi said.