Amit Shah pledges new land law for tribals in Jharkhand to curb "infiltrator" marriages
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As Jharkhand prepares for its two-phase Assembly election on November 13 and 20, with results expected on November 23, Union Home Minister Amit Shah made significant promises at a campaign rally in Seraikela.
Shah declared that, if the BJP wins, it would introduce legislation to prevent "intruders" from acquiring tribal land by marrying tribal women, hinting at what he termed "infiltrators" from Bangladesh.
"Infiltrators are seizing our land by marrying our daughters," Shah said, vowing to establish a law to prevent this form of land transfer if the BJP comes to power.
Additionally, he pledged to create a committee to identify and expel these individuals and reclaim any land they have acquired. The minister’s comments come shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi similarly criticized the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-Congress-RJD coalition for allegedly supporting these "infiltrators" in an appeal to gain votes, reportedly jeopardizing the state's social unity.
Shah also referenced the dismissal of Champai Soren, former Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader and tribal community representative, from his position as Chief Minister after Hemant Soren's release on bail.
Champai Soren joined the BJP in August, bolstering the party's outreach to tribal voters, a traditionally JMM-leaning base. Shah emphasized that Champai's removal symbolized a broader disrespect toward tribal people, an accusation echoed by PM Modi, who accused the JMM and Congress of "humiliating an Adivasi son."
Addressing corruption allegations, Shah pledged to pursue legal action against the leaders of the current JMM-Congress alliance if the BJP returns to power.
He highlighted recent scandals, including a Rs 1,000 crore jobs scam, a Rs 300 crore land scam, and a Rs 1,000 crore mining scandal, as instances of rampant corruption. Additionally, Shah revisited the Income Tax Department's December raid at Congress MP Dhiraj Sahu’s residence, resulting in the recovery of over Rs 350 crore in cash - the largest seizure in a single operation.
He also pointed to a May incident involving a Rs 35 crore cash seizure from Congress leader Alamgir Alam’s secretary’s office, asserting that funds intended for Jharkhand’s youth had been misappropriated.
Concluding, Shah claimed that, under BJP governance, aid from the central government would be supplemented by the state, ensuring that "Rs 1.25" is received for every rupee sent to Jharkhand’s people.