Jharkhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spotlighted infiltration as the most pressing issue in Jharkhand during a rally in Deoghar district’s Sarath. Addressing a massive gathering, Modi emphasized the impact of infiltration on the tribal population, claiming that it had halved in the Santhal region, and urged citizens to protect their tribal heritage and families.
PM Modi expressed his concerns regarding the diminishing tribal population in Santhal, stating, “Wherever I have traveled in Jharkhand, the biggest worry has been about infiltration… As per the data available, the tribal population in Santhal has reduced to half… We have to protect our tribal families and every Jharkhandi from this.” His remarks resonated with the ongoing assembly elections in the state, where 43 out of 81 constituencies have already witnessed voting in phase one.
Targeting the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-Congress coalition, Modi accused them of enabling infiltrators to become permanent residents of Jharkhand. He claimed that this has resulted in a loss of jobs and livelihood for the state’s indigenous people. “Under JMM-Congress, every wrong thing was done to make these infiltrators permanent residents in the state. These infiltrators snatched your jobs and ‘roti’. JMM government said in court that there has been infiltration in the state,” he alleged. Modi pledged that a BJP-led government would safeguard the “roti, beti, and maati” of the people.
The prime minister also criticized the Congress for its alleged disregard for tribal communities, accusing the party of attempting to end reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). “When the BJP decided to make a tribal daughter the President of India, Congress tried its best to defeat her. Even today they insult President Murmu,” Modi said.
The Jharkhand assembly elections are being conducted in two phases on November 13 and 20, with results set to be announced on November 23. Modi’s fiery speech is expected to further polarize voters ahead of the decisive second phase of polling.
