Congress tried to buy Jharkhand movement, JMM sold it: Marandi’s sharp attack on rivals
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Ranchi, Sept 16: Leader of Opposition and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi on Wednesday launched a sharp…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Sept 16: Leader of Opposition and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the JMM and Congress, accusing the two parties of exploiting and deceiving the tribal community for political gains.
Addressing a gathering at the Jharkhand BJP headquarters in Ranchi during the charge-taking ceremony of newly appointed Scheduled Tribe Morcha state president Sunny Toppo, Marandi claimed that the separate state of Jharkhand could have been created earlier but alleged that the Congress and JMM had used the Jharkhand movement for their political interests.
Marandi said the BJP had committed to creating a separate Jharkhand whenever it formed the government at the Centre and credited the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led Union government with fulfilling that promise in 2000.
“The BJP had promised to create a separate Jharkhand when it came to power at the Centre, and the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government fulfilled that promise,” Marandi said, asserting that the BJP had demonstrated its commitment to the aspirations of the state’s tribal and indigenous communities.
Marandi Accuses JMM, Congress of Exploiting Tribal Issues
Marandi alleged that the JMM and Congress had failed to address the genuine concerns of tribal communities and instead used their issues for political purposes.
He said the challenges facing the tribal community were not merely traditional problems but, in his view, included issues created and aggravated by political interests.
Marandi also accused the JMM of spreading apprehension among tribal people that a BJP government would take away their land. He claimed that tribal land had not been “looted or snatched” during governments led by him, Arjun Munda, Madhu Koda or Champai Soren, while alleging that tribal land had been exploited when the JMM was in power.
He also raised the issue of the proposed RIMS-2 project at Nagri, alleging that the project was being constructed on tribal land under the patronage of the present government. These remarks were part of Marandi’s political address.
Raises Concern Over Tribal Population
Marandi also expressed concern over what he described as a decline in the proportion of Jharkhand’s tribal population.
He cited figures claiming that the tribal population had declined from 35% to 26%, while the Muslim population had risen to 14%. He described the demographic change as a major challenge for the tribal community and called for greater awareness.
The figures were cited by Marandi during his address and were not independently substantiated in the statement issued by the party.
Marandi also referred to the election of Droupadi Murmu as President of India, describing it as an important recognition of the tribal community. He highlighted the declaration of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas on November 15 as another initiative aimed at highlighting the contribution of tribal leaders to the country’s history.
Sunny Toppo Takes Charge
The programme marked Sunny Toppo’s formal assumption of charge as State President of the BJP’s Scheduled Tribe Morcha.
Before taking charge, Toppo participated in a traditional tribal ceremony. Eleven Pahans, led by community head Jaglal Pahan and Shibu Pahan, conducted prayers invoking nature, the village deity and Sarna Mai. The traditional Danda Kattna ritual was performed before Toppo entered the Morcha office.
Marandi urged Toppo to strengthen the BJP’s organisation among tribal communities and bring together the state’s 35 tribal communities.
BJP Organisation General Secretary Karmveer Singh asked Toppo to expand the organisation’s outreach to villages and propagate the message of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas.” He also called for organisational efforts aimed at forming a BJP government in Jharkhand in 2029.
Toppo Calls for Protection of Tribal Identity
Addressing the gathering, Toppo thanked the BJP’s central and state leadership for giving him the organisational responsibility.
He said the party needed to work for the political, educational, social and economic advancement of tribal communities while also protecting their traditional customs and practices.
Referring to the tribal demand concerning water, forests and land, Toppo said protecting these resources was the responsibility of the community.
He also appealed to tribal voters and workers to work towards a BJP victory in the 2029 Lok Sabha and Jharkhand Assembly elections.
Former BJP national president Samir Oraon said the party had provided organisational opportunities to young people from tribal communities and urged workers to take the party’s welfare initiatives to villages.
Community chief Pahan Jaglal Pahan blessed Toppo and urged him to work towards the unity and prosperity of the tribal community.
Bindeshwar Oraon conducted the proceedings, while Ravi Munda proposed the vote of thanks.
