Himanta Biswa Sarma Claims Infiltration Behind Rising Muslim Population In Jharkhand

Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Assam Chief Minister and BJP's co-in-charge for the upcoming Jharkhand assembly elections, raised concerns over the demographic changes in the state, attributing the growth of the Muslim population and decline of the tribal populace to infiltration.During his campaign, Sarma emphasized the necessity of addressing what he perceives as a demographic imbalance.

He suggested that the increasing Muslim population in Jharkhand, especially in the Santhal Pargana division, is not due to natural population growth but rather the result of people moving into the state from other regions.

Sarma compared his campaign against infiltrators to the mythological act of Lord Hanuman setting Lanka ablaze, declaring a similar intent to combat infiltration in Jharkhand. He questioned the rapid growth of the Muslim population every five years, hinting at an unnatural increase and pondered whether large family sizes or infiltration were to blame. Sarma's comments highlighted his belief in the urgent need to address these demographic changes, not only for the electoral victory but to safeguard the interests of the tribal population and ensure justice for women.

In his statement to ANI, Sarma explicitly linked the demographic shifts to infiltration, expressing skepticism about the natural growth of the Muslim population in the state. He posed a rhetorical question about the possibility of Muslim families having an unusually high number of children, suggesting instead that migration from outside the state could be a significant factor. This stance underscores Sarma's commitment to identifying and addressing the root causes of population changes in Jharkhand.

The BJP leader also announced plans to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the Santhal Pargana division of Jharkhand if the BJP comes to power. This move, he believes, will help in identifying and dealing with infiltrators, thereby protecting the demographic composition of the region. Sarma cited recent government communications as evidence of infiltrators receiving training in Madrasas and fraudulently obtaining Aadhar cards, which he sees as a threat that needs to be tackled post-election.

The upcoming Jharkhand assembly elections, set to take place in two phases on November 13 and November 20, are poised to be a significant battleground. In the last election, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha secured 30 seats, followed by the BJP with 25 and the Congress with 16. Sarma’s remarks and the BJP's proposed policies are part of a broader electoral strategy aimed at addressing national security concerns and ensuring the socio-economic welfare of the indigenous population.

Sarma's call for action against what he terms as infiltrators reflects a broader national discussion on immigration and demographic change, signaling the BJP's commitment to these issues as central themes of their campaign in Jharkhand. His comparison to mythological warfare and the implementation of the NRC underline the party's aggressive stance on identity and security, framing the election as not just a political contest but a fight for cultural and demographic preservation.

In conclusion, Himanta Biswa Sarma's comments and proposed actions highlight the BJP's focus on demographic changes in Jharkhand as a key electoral issue. By advocating for the implementation of the NRC and drawing parallels to mythological narratives, Sarma and the BJP aim to address concerns about infiltration and population growth, positioning these issues at the forefront of their campaign strategy.