Jharkhand Demography Row: Babulal Marandi targets Congress, Church
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Ranchi, August 30: The political battle over delimitation in Jharkhand took a sharper turn on Sunday, with Leader…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, August 30: The political battle over delimitation in Jharkhand took a sharper turn on Sunday, with Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi targeting the Congress and Christian missionaries over the Adivasi Ekta Mahajutan held in Ranchi against any possible reduction in tribal representation.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP state headquarters, Marandi alleged that Congress had historically “deceived” tribal communities and accused missionaries of playing a supporting role in influencing and mobilising tribals for political purposes.
His remarks came a day after the Congress-led Mahajutan, which witnessed a major tribal mobilisation in Ranchi and was backed by sections of the Church. The organisers had invited Chief Minister Hemant Soren as the chief guest, but he did not attend the rally. Instead, Soren attended the Urs of Hazrat Qutubuddin Risaldar Baba in Doranda and sent a message to the tribal gathering backing unity against any reduction in ST-reserved seats.
Marandi sought to question the political intent behind the Mahajutan, which was organised primarily around concerns over the proposed delimitation exercise and its possible impact on tribal representation.
He alleged that Congress was trying to project itself as the protector of tribal interests despite, in his words, having historically ignored the aspirations of Jharkhand’s tribal population.
Referring to tribal leaders including Jaipal Singh Munda, Kartik Oraon and Shibu Soren, Marandi alleged that Congress had repeatedly attempted to suppress or politically manage tribal movements.
He also accused missionaries of working alongside Congress to “mislead” tribal communities.
Church backing becomes BJP’s target
The Church’s reported support for the Mahajutan became a major point of attack for the BJP leader.
Marandi alleged that the Archbishop had appealed to believers to participate in the rally. He further claimed that an audio clip indicated that people who did not attend could face fines of ₹100 to ₹500.
Marandi played the audio during his press conference and alleged that the episode demonstrated the influence of missionary institutions in the political mobilisation of tribal Christians.
The allegations, however, were made by Marandi at the press conference and were not independently established in the material provided.
Soren backs tribal unity despite skipping rally
Marandi’s attack comes against the backdrop of Soren’s carefully positioned response to the Mahajutan.
Although the Chief Minister did not attend despite being invited as chief guest, his message was read out at the rally by MLA Vikas Munda.
Soren recalled the 2007 delimitation episode and said tribal unity had helped stop the exercise at that time. He vowed to remain united in efforts to prevent any reduction in tribal representation.
The Chief Minister’s message effectively placed him alongside the principal demand of the Mahajutan, even as he stayed away from the Congress-led platform.
Babulal shifts focus to demography
Marandi also sought to broaden the delimitation debate by linking it to what he described as the changing demographic profile of Jharkhand.
He alleged that the decline in the proportion of the tribal population posed a serious long-term threat to tribal political representation.
According to figures cited by Marandi, the tribal population declined from 35.38% in 1951 to 26.20% in 2011, while the Muslim population increased from 8.9% to 14.53% during the same period.
He also cited a decline in the proportion of the population he described as Sanatanis, from 87.79% in 1951 to 81.17% in 2011.
Marandi projected further changes by 2051 if the alleged trend continued, arguing that the issue needed urgent political attention.
‘Congress, missionaries and government silent’
Marandi accused Congress, missionaries and the Hemant Soren government of remaining silent over demographic changes, particularly in Santhal Pargana.
He alleged that the ruling establishment was reluctant to address the issue because of vote-bank considerations.
“The changing demography of Jharkhand and Santhal Pargana is a matter of serious concern,” Marandi said, arguing that tribal communities must examine the long-term implications for their political and constitutional rights.
His demographic projections were presented as political claims at the press conference and are distinct from official population projections.
Tribal land issue linked to demographic debate
Marandi also produced a letter attributed to the Adivasi Kalyan Samiti, Pakur, alleging encroachment on tribal raiyati land in parts of Santhal Pargana.
He claimed the letter referred to alleged construction of multi-storey buildings, factories, mosques and madrasas on tribal land and alleged that fraudulent gift deeds had been used in some cases.
He also raised allegations concerning illegal immigration and alleged land grabbing, demanding that the state government investigate the complaints and make public details of action taken.
These allegations were made by Marandi and require verification by the concerned authorities.
BJP counters Mahajutan’s delimitation narrative
The BJP’s response has effectively expanded the political contest beyond the immediate question of delimitation.
While the Mahajutan and Congress are seeking to build a united tribal front around the protection of ST seats and constitutional safeguards, Marandi is attempting to place demographic change, tribal land and alleged missionary influence at the centre of the debate.
The competing narratives are likely to intensify as political parties prepare for a wider discussion on the future distribution of political representation in Jharkhand.
For the Congress-led Mahajutan, the core argument remains that tribal representation must not be diluted through delimitation. For the BJP, Marandi’s intervention seeks to challenge the Congress’s tribal credentials while raising concerns over demographic and land-related changes.
The contrasting positions have turned the delimitation question into a broader political battle over tribal identity, representation, land rights and Jharkhand’s demographic future.
