Babulal Marandi seeks Amit Shah’s action on Santhal infiltration
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Ranchi, August 31: Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi has written to Union Home Minister Amit…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, August 31: Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking immediate central intervention into what he described as large-scale infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals and rapid demographic changes in the Santhal Pargana region.
In his letter, Marandi alleged that illegal Bangladeshi migrants were settling on government and tribal land in parts of Santhal Pargana and claimed that forged genealogies, Aadhaar cards and birth certificates were being used to facilitate their settlement.
He urged the Centre to undertake an intensive investigation to identify foreign nationals staying illegally in the region, verify their documents, conduct a special revision of electoral rolls and initiate legal proceedings for deportation wherever infiltration is established.
Marandi cited voter data from the 2019-2024 period to underline his allegation of demographic change across several Assembly constituencies.
According to figures presented in his letter, Pakur recorded a 24% increase in total voters during the period, while the increase among voters belonging to what he described as a particular community was 40.9%, compared with 11.4% among other voters.
He cited similar figures for Littipara, where total voter growth was 10.6% while the growth attributed to the particular community was 35.5%, and Maheshpur, where total voter numbers increased by 13.1%, with the corresponding growth at 24.7% against 9.4% among others.
Marandi also cited figures for Jarmundi, Madhupur, Barhait, Rajmahal, Jamtara, Sarath, Nala, Poreyahat, Mahagama, Dumka and Godda, claiming that voter growth among the particular community was significantly higher than that of other voters in several of these constituencies.
The figures and their interpretation were presented by Marandi as evidence of a rapid demographic shift. However, the letter itself does not establish that the increase in voters belonging to a particular community was caused by illegal immigration.
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Alleges tribal land encroachment
Marandi further alleged that provisions of the Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Act were being violated through encroachment on government land, grazing land and land belonging to tribal families.
He claimed that forged genealogies and identity documents were being used to establish claims over land and obtain official documentation.
The BJP leader also alleged that a section of the local administration and the ruling political establishment was providing protection to illegal migrants for electoral considerations.
These are allegations made by Marandi in his letter and would require investigation by the competent authorities.
Seeks central investigation
Marandi has sought a series of measures from the Union Home Ministry.
Among his key demands is an intensive identification and investigation drive across the border districts of Santhal Pargana to establish the nationality of suspected illegal migrants.
He suggested that old land records, including 2003-04 Khatiyans, be used for technical verification of genealogical claims.
He has also sought the establishment of a detention centre in Santhal Pargana for persons identified as illegal foreign nationals, pending completion of legal procedures.
Another major demand is a special revision of electoral rolls by the Election Commission of India to identify and remove names allegedly included on the basis of forged documents.
Probe sought into alleged document racket
Marandi has also called for a probe by central agencies into what he described as a network involved in preparing forged documents and facilitating the settlement of illegal migrants.
He alleged that political and administrative protection was being provided to such networks and sought strict action against those found involved.
The BJP leader warned that unchecked infiltration and land encroachment could adversely affect the demographic composition and indigenous identity of Santhal Pargana.
Focus on Pakur, Sahibganj and adjoining areas
The letter particularly highlights constituencies in Pakur, Sahibganj and adjoining parts of Santhal Pargana, where Marandi claimed that demographic changes have been visible over the years.
He also referred to population trends recorded in the 2001 and 2011 Census, claiming that the Muslim population had increased in parts of Pakur and Sahibganj while the proportion of the tribal population had declined.
Marandi argued that the issue required examination not merely from a political perspective but also from the standpoint of land rights, electoral integrity, border security and the protection of tribal interests.
Political issue gains fresh momentum
The letter comes amid an increasingly sharp political debate in Jharkhand over demographic change, tribal land rights and alleged infiltration in Santhal Pargana.
The BJP has repeatedly raised the issue, while the ruling parties have faced demands to explain the causes behind changes in population and voter patterns in parts of the region.
Marandi has asked the Union Home Minister to take prompt action, saying that protecting the identity and land rights of indigenous communities in Santhal Pargana is a matter of national and regional importance.
