JMM Protests Against BJP's Union Territory Proposal

The JMM protested against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's proposal to declare parts of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Bihar as a Union Territory to combat infiltration from Bangladesh. This move was met with resistance from the ruling party and counterclaims from the BJP, leading to a larger debate about regional demographics and politics.

The ruling JMM on Monday protested outside the assembly against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's statement in the Lok Sabha, where he demanded parts of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Bihar be declared a Union Territory to check infiltration from Bangladesh.

During his speech on July 25, Dubey called for a Union Territory comprising Malda and Murshidabad districts of West Bengal, Araria, Kishanganj, and Katihar districts of Bihar, and the Santhal Parganas region of Jharkhand. He alleged that the tribal population in the Santhal Parganas region was declining due to an influx of 'Bangladeshi infiltrators'.

State minister Deepak Birua, staging a protest outside the assembly, accused the BJP of attempting to divide Jharkhand under the guise of combating infiltration. 'The BJP has made its intentions clear in Parliament. We will not allow the BJP to divide the state,' he asserted.

Contrarily, state BJP president Babulal Marandi stated that Dubey's remarks were his personal views, not reflective of the party's stance. Despite this, BJP legislators staged their own demonstration outside the assembly, alleging that Chief Minister Hemant Soren's ruling alliance was protecting 'Bangladeshi infiltrators.'

BJP MLA Anant Ojha echoed concerns about the dwindling tribal population in Santhal Parganas and claimed tribal students faced violence for planning a rally against the infiltrators. The BJP also demanded the implementation of the NRC in the region.

The JMM distanced itself from Congress MLA Shilpi Neha Tirkey's statement attributing demographic changes in Jharkhand to an influx from Bihar. 'The alliance has nothing to do with her statement. We are Jharkhandi by birth and heart,' said state minister Mithilesh Thakur.

(With inputs from agencies.)