The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is planning a massive three-year-long Padayatra (foot march) in Jharkhand, focusing on the issues of Bangladeshi infiltration, religious conversions, and the declining tribal population in the state. This initiative aims to raise public awareness about these concerns across every corner of Jharkhand.
The Padayatra is planned to occur four days a week and will be led by senior BJP leaders, including Nishikant Dubey, Champai Soren, and Babulal Marandi. Notably, Sidho Kanho's descendant, Mandal Murmu, who recently joined the BJP during the Assembly elections, will also participate in the march.
According to the BJP, this Padayatra is not related to any upcoming elections, as the Jharkhand elections are still more than four years away. The party asserts that the primary objective is to address the encroachment on the rights of the tribal communities due to illegal infiltration, religious conversions, and Bangladeshi immigrants.
The BJP has been raising the issue of Bangladeshi infiltration in Jharkhand for years. They allege that these infiltrators are exploiting government schemes meant for minorities by obtaining citizenship and usurping the rights of local Muslims. They also accuse them of marrying tribal women to acquire land. BJP leaders have cited census figures indicating a decline in the tribal population in the Santhal Pargana region from over 44% in 1951 to 28% in 2011. However, it's worth noting that the tribal population in Santhal Parganas has increased in absolute numbers from around 10 lakh in 1951 to around 19 lakh in 2011.
Former Chief Minister Champai Soren has accused the state government of inaction regarding the intrusion of Bangladeshi infiltrators using forged Aadhaar cards with addresses in Jharkhand. Soren claimed that the tribal population in regions like Sahebganj, Pakur, and Dumka is under threat due to unchecked infiltration and forced religious conversions. He also raised concerns about the decreasing tribal population in areas protected under the Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Act, which was designed to safeguard Adivasi interests.
The BJP's focus on this issue has led to accusations of attempting to divide tribal and Muslim voters by raising the specter of "Bangladeshi infiltrators". Some analysts believe that the BJP aims to regain its hold on Sarna voters by shifting its strategy from the 'Sarna-Christian' divide to the 'threat of infiltration'. This involves highlighting interfaith marriages, specifically Muslim men marrying tribal women.
However, independent fact-finding teams have found no on-ground evidence to support the BJP's claims of widespread Bangladeshi infiltration. The Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, after conducting an inquiry in Santhal Pargana, stated that the decline in the tribal population percentage is largely due to high mortality and outward migration. In an affidavit filed before the High Court, the Union of India conceded that the decline could be due to migration, high infant mortality, or conversion to Christianity.
