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J’khand: BJP promises NRC, makes dubious claims of “infiltration” in tribal areas

After the party loss in the state’s Assembly election in 2019, it is arming itself with a divisive campaign for the upcoming state election in 2024

Keeping its eye on the Assembly elections in Jharkhand as well as the General elections next year and in desperate need of a win in the state, the BJP has promised that the exercise of National Register of Citizens (NRC) will be conducted in the state, if voted to power. This promise is being made after building up the “infiltrator” issue in the state, the basis of which are quite dubious.

While speaking at a gathering in Giridih on June 22, BJP national president JP Nadda said, “Bangladeshi infiltrators, Rohingya are exploiting our tribal daughters and sisters in Santhal Pargana, and all this is happening under the patronage of the government.” He was referring to the case of Rebeka Paharin who was killed by her partner Dildar Ansari in December last year.

Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, from BJP, Raghubar Das said on June 22 that the demography of the tribal dominated Santal Paragana was changing, especially in Pakur and Sahebgunj districts. He made similar claims like Nadda, saying that “illegal migrants from neighbouring countries” have infiltrated the state and acquired lands and are marrying local women.

This trope being used by BJP is quite similar to what they use throughout the country, that is to demonise the Muslim community, discouraging inter faith unions and make such baseless claims that they are illegal migrants. Dehumanising the minority Muslim community is a tool persistently used by the party on all fronts, which helps them cash in on voted from the majority Hindus and in the case of Jharkhand, the party is trying to turn even Dalits and Adivasis against the Muslim community, which, if they are successful could create absolute animosity against Muslims in all states, by all communities.

“Considering the prevailing situation in 2018, I requested the central government to implement the NRC as the situation had become a great concern. The NRC will be implemented if the BJP is elected to power in 2024 state elections.” He also accused the Hemant Soren led government of “appeasement” and said that the “infiltrators were being patronized by the JMM”.

Nishikant Dubey, MP from Godda is known to have said that “grooming gangs” of “Bangladeshi Muslim” boys were “exploiting” underage girls from Dalits and tribal communities in the state.

Are the ‘demography change’ claims based on fact?

These claims about ‘declining’ nature of the Adivasi population in Jharkhand were made at a Digital Hindu Conclave recently as well where media professional Pradeep Bhandari spoke. CJP’s analytical fact-check found these claims to be baseless.

The Adivasi population in the state of Jharkhand has experienced a decline over a period of 80 years, from 38% in the 1931 Census to 26.2% in the 2011 Census. The Adivasi population stood at 27.7% in 1991, 26.3% in 2001, and 26.2% in 2011. A study conducted by Outlook magazine revealed that the reason for the decline in population was outward migration as many locals from Gumla, Simdega, and Latehar districts, are leaving their hometowns and migrating to larger towns and cities due to high unemployment rates. Migratory labour patterns are the cause no devious motive.

Further, the Muslim population was 13.08 % in 2001 in Jharkhand. In 2011, it was 14.53, showing no significant increase. Since the increase in population over 10 years is only marginal, BJP leaders, use hysteria and propaganda, not data while making bizarre political claims. Besides, the absence of any data post 2011 census assists them in making wild claims.

Clearly, BJP’s claim that “Muslim Bangladeshi” immigrants are responsible for the decline in the Adivasi population in Jharkhand is unfounded and misleading. The actual decline in the population is due to intra-state migration caused by high unemployment rates, poverty, and displacement caused by mining activities.

Did NRC in Assam in work?

The BJP advocating the NRC in states would have one believe that the exercise worked wonders in the state of Assam, the only state where NRC has been conducted. The truth from Assam belies this.

The exercise of conducting the Assam NRC in Assam has been ridden in controversy and misery for vast sections of the people. The draft final list was released in August 2019 has left a population of 19 lakhs potentially excluded with individuals and their families socially disbarred by being interminably denied citizenship. The process of enumeration under NRC  has been inconclusive, is at a standstill making the uncertainty even more acute. To date these 19 lakh persons have not been officially given reasons for their inconclusion. Looking at the state of the residents of Assam, the rest of the country fears similar or worse repercussions. This is why the 2019-2020 opposition to CAA-NRC-NPR was so strong, diverse and vibrant.

Those excluded from NRC in Assam are not foreigners. The process of issuing notices by the Assam Border Police is arbitrary and procedures adopted by the Foreigners Tribunals problematic.

CJP’s six-year long engagement in two dozen districts of the state, handling cases of the citizenship affected, reveals that all economically and socially marginalised groups are severely impacted. Citizens for Justice and Peace, working closely with the people of Assam, especially those trying to prove their citizenship, has seen the plight of the people, Hindus and Muslims alike.

Related:

Distorting facts about Muslim population growth at the Digital Hindu Conclave

CJP in Assam: The evolution of our campaign to avert a humanitarian crisis

Citizens for Assam: A Quest for Hope and Justice

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