Alarming Infiltration Crisis in Santhal Pargana: Jharkhand Govt’s Disappointing Support Draws Centre’s Concerns
Centre Alleges Infiltration in Santhal Pargana Region Ahead of Polls
Amid heightened political tension over demographic changes in Jharkhand’s Santhal Pargana region leading up to the Assembly polls, the Union government informed the Jharkhand High Court about suspected infiltration in the region via Sahibganj and Pakur districts. The Centre criticized the Jharkhand government’s efforts to curb this, calling them "less than expected."
This statement is a response to a 2022 Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by a BJP worker alleging that illegal Bangladeshi immigrants were impacting the region’s Scheduled Tribe (ST) population by marrying into ST families to gain land and political influence. The Centre corroborated claims that the ST population decreased from 44.67% in 1951 to 28.11% in 2011, attributing this change to multiple factors, including migration, conversion to Christianity, and low birth rates among tribals. However, it did not conclusively link these changes to infiltration.
Instances of legal loopholes allowing land transfers from tribals to non-tribals were cited, with a reference to a July 2024 conflict in Pakur district. Yet, no direct connections to Bangladeshi immigrants were established.
The High Court of Jharkhand is now considering a fact-finding committee on demographic changes, seeking recommendations for its members from both the Centre and the State. The BJP has seized this opportunity to stress alleged infiltration, with leaders publicly asserting this claim.
Conversely, JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey demanded Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation if infiltration was occurring, blaming the Centre for border management failures. The JMM criticized the Centre for deflecting blame and highlighted the Union List’s jurisdiction over international borders.
The Union government insisted the enforcement of laws tackling illegal immigration relies on State cooperation, with Jharkhand’s government reportedly informed about potential illegal immigrants in 2021.
District reports highlighted minimal illegal immigration cases, with only four cases detected in Sahibganj between 2016 and 2024.
Significant demographic shifts from 1951 to 2011 in Santhal Pargana were noted, including a 22.42% decrease in the Hindu population’s share, a 67.48% rise in the Christian population growth rate, and a 13.3% increase in the Muslim population’s share, according to the Census.
The Centre emphasized that religious shifts among ST populations, who followed multiple religions, were contributing to these demographic changes.
(With inputs from Amit Bhelari in Patna) Published: September 14, 2024, 03:51 am IST
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/infiltration-has-taken-place-in-santhal-pargana-jharkhand-govt-support-less-than-expected-centre-in-hc/article68639513.ece
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