A recent fact-finding report by the Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha and Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan has refuted the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) claims of “Love-Jihad” and Bangladeshi infiltration in Jharkhand’s Santhal Pargana region, accusing the party of exploiting these issues for religious polarization ahead of upcoming state elections.
The comprehensive report challenges the BJP’s narrative, highlighting that the primary issues affecting the tribal population are economic hardships, inadequate healthcare, and violations of the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act (SPTA), rather than the alleged influx of Bangladeshi immigrants. The BJP has repeatedly alleged that Bangladeshi infiltrators are settling in the region, occupying tribal land, and marrying tribal women, leading to a supposed decline in the tribal population. These accusations have been linked to recent violent incidents in the area.
The fact-finding team, which visited several key villages including Gayabthan, Taranagar-Ilami, Gopinathpur, Kulapahari, and KKM College, found no evidence supporting the claims of infiltration or forced marriages. They discovered that the conflicts were localized disputes rather than issues related to external immigration.
In Gayabthan, a 30-year land dispute between tribal and Muslim families resulted in violence on July 18. This was followed by a student protest at KKM College, which escalated when students were reportedly beaten by police. The report clarifies that this violence stemmed from a local land dispute, not from Bangladeshi infiltration.
Similarly, tensions in Taranagar-Ilami arose after a social media post led to violence against a Muslim family. The subsequent rumors about a Muslim woman’s death exacerbated the situation, but investigations found no evidence of Bangladeshi involvement. In Gopinathpur, clashes over Bakrid sacrificial practices were identified as local disputes, unrelated to immigration issues.
The BJP Mandal President of Taranagar-Ilami confirmed that Muslims in the area are long-time residents, contradicting claims of infiltration. Furthermore, BJP leader Asha Lakra’s attempt to link tribal women married to Muslim men with a broader conspiracy was debunked, as the fact-finding team found that most of these marriages were with local residents.
The report criticizes the BJP for communalizing local issues, arguing that their claims of “Love-Jihad” and “Bangladeshi infiltration” are misleading and serve only to inflame religious tensions. It also points out that the real problems in Santhal Pargana include violations of the SPTA, with tribals selling land to non-tribals, reflecting broader socio-economic challenges rather than demographic shifts due to immigration.
The report calls for several actions from the state government:
- Action Against Communal Rhetoric: Address the use of divisive terms by BJP leaders and organizations.
- Justice for Victims: Ensure accountability for those involved in violence and police misconduct.
- Protection of Tribal Land: Strict enforcement of the SPTA to prevent illegal land sales and a revisional survey of tribal land.
- Review of Public Information Systems: Disband the district-level telephone system for reporting alleged infiltrators.
- Economic Study: Establish a committee to examine and address the economic conditions of tribals.
As Jharkhand’s elections approach, the report underscores the dangers of leveraging unverified claims for political gain and calls for a focus on addressing the genuine issues affecting the tribal population.
