BJP government authorized amendments on land rights in Jharkhand led to numerous protests and communal violence including mob lynching. The state is terrorized due to such incidents of mob violence.
The opposition leaders criticized the land reforms introduced by the state government along with unpopular measures like the ‘federal government domicile coverage, recruitment policy in Grade III and Grade IV government jobs, and the religious conversion bill’ as reported by FirstPost.
Commenting on the amendments sanctioned by the government led by CM Raghubir Das, Babulal Marandi, ex-CM of Jharkhand and president of Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) said, “We have always welcomed initiatives to build schools, hospitals, and roads. But what was the need to attempt an amendment to the Chota Nagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Act in 2016 to acquire tribal land for these purposes?” He also opined, “The present amendment to the Land Acquisition Act was introduced when Das was forced to scrap the proposed amendments to the CNT and SPT acts. With the deletion of the clause mandating social impact assessment, BJP is shooting itself in the foot and fanning tribal anger against the government.”
The incidents –arrests of 14 missionaries over alleged forced conversion in Pakur and arrest of a priest for abetting the gang-rape of five social workers in Khunti–have led to driving a wedge between Christain tribals and Sarna tribals.
The arrests of 14 missionaries in Pakur was done under the notorious Religious Freedom Act, 2017. The Act states a three-year imprisonment and fine of 50k for ‘forced’ conversion.
Chandan Mishra, a journalist from Ranchi described the cons of the Religious Freedom Act, “Though the government initially went after the Muslim community, it has now been actively targeting Christian institutions as well by attempting to polarise converted and Sarna tribals in the state. The arrest of 14 people in Pakur is the first serious action taken under the new law and important because Santhal Pargana has been a stronghold of both the Sorens of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Babulal Marandi as well. Instead of placating tribals, Das’ BJP government is instead planning to end reservation benefits to tribals who have converted to Christianity or other religion. This is bound to create a deeper schism among the tribal community.”
With unrest in Jharkhand over the state government policies, BJP chief Amit Shah visited CM Das to discuss further strategy on July 11.