Nisha Bhagat case: CM Hemant Soren orders CBI probe amid BJP’s offensive against Jharkhand govt
Ranchi, November 10: The death of tribal activist Nisha Kumari Bhagat has triggered a major political and social controversy in Jharkhand, with…
Ranchi, November 10: The death of tribal activist Nisha Kumari Bhagat has triggered a major political and social controversy in Jharkhand, with Chief Minister Hemant Soren ordering a CBI investigation into the case amid mounting pressure from the opposition BJP.
Nisha, who had been raising her voice against alleged encroachment on tribal land, land brokers and religious conversion among tribal communities, died under tragic circumstances in Ranchi on November 6. Shortly before her death, she went live on Facebook, making serious allegations of harassment and expressing anguish over what she described as the failure of the administration to protect her.
Her death has brought the sensitive issues of tribal land rights, religious identity, conversion and the safety of grassroots activists back into the political spotlight.
BJP launches offensive, demands accountability
The BJP went on the offensive against the Hemant Soren government following Nisha’s death, alleging that the administration had failed to protect a tribal woman who had repeatedly raised concerns about land-related irregularities and religious conversion.
Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi held the state government responsible for the circumstances surrounding her death and demanded strict action against those named by Nisha. BJP state president Aditya Sahu and other party leaders also questioned the police response to her complaints.
The BJP’s Scheduled Tribe Morcha announced a phased agitation across the five districts of South Chotanagpur division, including Ranchi, Gumla, Lohardaga, Khunti and Simdega, demanding a CBI investigation and action against those allegedly responsible.
The party also announced torchlight processions, candle marches and a proposed regional bandh on November 18.
Nisha’s fight for tribal land and identity
Nisha Bhagat was known for raising issues concerning the protection of tribal land, religious identity, customs and traditions. She had reportedly been campaigning against land brokers and alleged attempts to take over tribal land through questionable dealings.
She was also vocal against the religious conversion of tribal people to Christianity and supported the demand for protecting the distinct religious and cultural identity of indigenous communities.
Her activism brought her into the middle of contentious debates over tribal identity, land ownership and religious conversion in Jharkhand.
The Indian Express reported that she supported the demand for delisting tribals who had converted to Christianity or Islam from the Scheduled Tribes list, an issue that has remained politically contentious.
Final Facebook Live raises serious questions
In an approximately 11-minute Facebook Live session shortly before her death, Nisha appeared visibly distressed and spoke about her alleged harassment by land brokers and the administration’s failure to address her grievances.
She also expressed disappointment over the lack of support despite her efforts to seek police protection. Her video ended abruptly.
Nisha was subsequently found dead at her residence in the Pithoria police station area of Ranchi and was taken to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), where she was declared dead.
Her father, Handu Bhagat, alleged that his daughter had been subjected to sustained harassment and intimidation. He rejected the possibility that the matter should be treated as an ordinary suicide and demanded an independent investigation into the circumstances of her death.
FIR names two persons
Following a complaint by Nisha’s father, police registered an FIR naming Jyotsana Kerketta and Ajay Tirkey under Sections 108 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to abetment of suicide and criminal conspiracy.
The officer-in-charge of Pithoria police station, Satish Kumar Pandey, has gone on leave. Police had earlier constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the case.
The National Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and sought a detailed action-taken report from the authorities within seven days. It has also called for an impartial, time-bound investigation and preservation of digital evidence, including Nisha’s Facebook Live recording.
Tribal community seeks justice
Nisha’s death has caused considerable anguish among sections of the tribal community, particularly in her native Gumla district. Her mortal remains were taken to her ancestral village, Uru, where her last rites were performed on November 7.
Her family and supporters have maintained that the circumstances leading to her death must be thoroughly investigated and that everyone found responsible should face legal action.
With the CBI investigation now ordered by the state government, the focus will be on establishing the sequence of events preceding her death, examining her allegations of harassment, and determining whether any individuals or officials failed to act on her complaints.
The investigation is also expected to bring renewed attention to the larger concerns she had raised about tribal land protection, alleged land-grabbing networks and the preservation of tribal religious and cultural identity.
