Jharkhand roll revision must to weed out fake voters, curb infiltration: BJP leader

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and BJP leader Champai Soren has strongly demanded the implementation of the SIR in the state. In an exclusive conversation with India Today sister news channel Aaj Tak, he asserted that Jharkhand needs SIR just as much as Bihar.

Highlighting a case of large-scale fraud, he said that in certain areas, 4,143 fake birth certificates have been issued. Matiyabagh in Chakulia, Jamshedpur, is one such example, where none of the people whose fake certificates were made actually live. After the exposure of this case, the DC took action.

Soren said that the process of depriving tribals of their rights through infiltration has been ongoing for the past 350 years. After independence, the tribal population in Jharkhand fell from 44% in 1951 to 28% in 2011, with infiltration drastically altering the state’s demography.

Recalling history, he mentioned that Tilka Manjhi fought for the tribals in 1770, followed by struggles in 1855 and later between 1875–1900 when Birsa Munda fought for water, forests, and land. He added that Shibu Soren’s image endures because of his concern for tribals and his continuous protests, yet the condition of tribals has not improved. Their land, he alleged, has been seized by intruders from Bangladesh.

He questioned how fake birth certificates were being issued and who was behind them, suggesting that the motive could be votes. According to him, while the minerals of Jharkhand light up the country, tribal households remain in darkness. He also accused the current government of being indifferent to tribal issues.

Soren stressed that infiltration must be stopped in order to protect the water, forests, and land of tribals. For this, he said, SIR is essential.

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