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

Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Congress, accusing them of participating in “divisive policies”. Mr. Marandi criticized the Congress for ‘opposition’.Adivasi Samagam (tribal meeting)’.

He issued a warning, asserting that their conspiracy to divide the society and undermine the fundamental rights of the tribal people would not succeed.

Addressing a press conference at the State BJP headquarters in Ranchi, Mr. Marandi stated that “there is no difference between Sarna, Sanatana and Hindu traditions; instead, they all emphasize the worship of nature – trees, mountains, stones, water bodies and soil.”

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

‘False allegations’

He added, “But the truth is that there is absolutely no custom of ‘making’ someone a Hindu; one is born into it. People are actually ‘made’ Christian or Muslim. Sarna, Sanatana and Hindu identities are innate.”

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

“The Congress follows the British philosophy of Divide and Rule. Now, as the Congress is about to exit the national stage, the party is resorting to new tactics to divide the society,” he alleged.

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

He also alleged that lands related to tribal worship were encroached upon by the mafia.

‘I sow discord’

The former CM alleged that the Congress and JMM were actively working to create discord within the tribal community for the sake of vote bank politics.

He said the Jharkhand government was taking initiatives to undermine tribal traditions and traditional systems through new rules governing the Panchayat Scheduled Areas Expansion (PESA) Act notified in January. “A conspiracy driven by vote bank politics is currently being planned to isolate indigenous tribal communities in this region. This conspiracy will not be allowed to succeed at any cost,” Mr. Marandi said.