BJP vows to bring NRC in poll-bound Jharkhand amid Bangladeshi Infiltrators row

The BJP has pledged to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Jharkhand if elected, citing concerns over alleged Bangladeshi infiltration that has impacted the tribal population.

In Short

• Shivraj Chouhan expresses concerns over Bangladeshi infiltration in Jharkhand
• He accuses Hemant Soren government of aiding illegal immigration
• NRC implementation a key election issue for BJP in Jharkhand

As the political battle heats up in Jharkhand ahead of the upcoming elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has vowed to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state if it comes to power. The promise comes amid rising concerns over alleged Bangladeshi infiltration, particularly in the Santhal region, which has sparked fears of demographic changes and a declining tribal population.

Union Minister and BJP's in-charge for Jharkhand assembly elections, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, emphasised the party’s commitment to safeguarding the state from illegal immigrants. Chouhan claimed that the infiltration has not only altered the region's demographics but also affected the tribal community’s cultural and social fabric.

Speaking on the issue, Chouhan said, “The BJP's detailed manifesto will be released soon, but this election is not just about choosing a Chief Minister. It is about protecting our land, our daughters, and our livelihoods. This is our commitment. The demographic changes in Santhal Pargana due to Bangladeshi infiltrators are alarming. The tribal population, which once accounted for over 44%, has now dwindled to 28%. The rest of the population is also being impacted due to continuous infiltration.”

Chouhan accused the current state government, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, of encouraging illegal immigration for political gains, saying, “In the greed for vote banks, the Soren government is facilitating this infiltration by issuing Aadhaar cards and enrolling infiltrators in voter lists. This is a serious threat as these infiltrators take over our lands, marry tribal women, and exploit them. Our daughters are being brutally murdered.”

Reiterating BJP's resolve, Chouhan added, "We are committed to implementing the NRC in Jharkhand and ensuring that every infiltrator is identified and expelled from the state."

Last month, during a visit to Jharkhand, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the BJP "will hang every Bangladeshi infiltrator upside down to give them a lesson", if people elect the party to power in Jharkhand.

The issue of Bangladeshi infiltration is expected to be a key talking point as election campaigns intensify in the coming weeks.