Shivraj Chouhan Warns: 'Maa, Beti, Roti' Under Threat In Jharkhand Due To Infiltration

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Union Minister, voiced his concerns about the challenges facing Jharkhand due to the issue of illegal infiltration, particularly pointing out the threats to the state's land, women, and sustenance, on Friday.

The accusation was levelled against the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led alliance, suggesting that their governance had put the state at risk of losing its cultural and material wealth to infiltrators from Bangladesh.

Chouhan, who is spearheading the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) campaign in the election-bound state, criticized the Congress party for not disavowing statements made by its state in-charge, Gulam Ahmed Mir. Mir allegedly proposed, if elected, to extend the benefit of domestic LPG cylinders at a reduced price to all residents, implicitly including illegal migrants. This proposal, according to Chouhan, exposes the Congress party's supposed leniency towards infiltrators, which he deems as endangering the state's integrity.

The issue of illegal immigration, as Chouhan highlighted, has led to demographic shifts in several villages within the Santhal Pargana region, turning indigenous tribes into minorities. This situation, he argued, is a direct threat to the legacy of local tribal martyrs like Sidho and Kanhu. Chouhan's statements were aimed at underlining the election's critical nature, framing it as a pivotal moment for safeguarding Jharkhand's 'Mati, Beti, and Roti' against the backdrop of unauthorized migration.

The controversy was further fueled by Chouhan's reference to Mir's controversial promise, captured in a widely circulated video, to slash the price of gas cylinders to ₹450 for all citizens, regardless of their legal status. This move by the Congress, according to Chouhan, contradicts their accusations against the BJP of fostering division, showcasing their own divisive policies instead.

Chouhan lamented the lack of condemnation from senior Congress leaders like Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge regarding Mir's statement. He questioned the Congress's intentions towards infiltrators, accusing them of compromising tribal lands and dignity for political gains. Chouhan's challenge to the Congress and JMM to clarify their stance on this issue was a direct appeal to voter sentiments around national integrity and local identity.

The Jharkhand elections kicked off with the first phase of voting on November 13, with the subsequent phases set for November 20 and the vote count on November 23. Chouhan's allegations and the surrounding controversy underscore the election's high stakes, with issues of national security, local identity, and political accountability at the forefront of the electoral battle.