Jharkhand — Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday addressed a rally in Baghmara, Jharkhand, where he called for reforms to the Waqf Board, accused it of unjust land acquisitions, and promised changes in Jharkhand under BJP rule. Shah’s rally marked part of the BJP’s electoral push ahead of the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections on November 13 and 20. During his address, Shah unveiled major campaign promises, including the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), with assurances to exclude tribal communities from its effects.
Waqf Board Reforms and Anti-Infiltration Stance
Amit Shah strongly criticized the Waqf Board for allegedly encroaching on lands belonging to temples and farmers in Karnataka, which he cited as an example of the board’s overreach. “The Waqf Board has devoured the lands of villagers and temples. The BJP will bring amendments to the Waqf Act to prevent such actions, despite opposition from leaders like Hemant Soren and Rahul Gandhi,” Shah said. His call for reform is part of the BJP’s broader strategy to prevent what they view as unauthorized land seizures and ensure land protections for Jharkhand’s local communities.
He also addressed the issue of illegal immigration, accusing the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led coalition of using immigrants as a vote bank. Shah promised that if BJP is elected, they would launch a thorough investigation into such activities and prevent unauthorized demographic changes due to immigration.
Implementation of Uniform Civil Code (UCC)
Shah emphasized the BJP’s commitment to introducing the UCC in Jharkhand to promote social cohesion and manage demographic shifts due to immigration. In a bid to reassure tribal communities, he pledged that the UCC’s framework would specifically exclude tribal groups to safeguard their cultural and traditional practices. This exclusion is in response to concerns raised by regional leaders that UCC implementation might disrupt tribal lifestyles.
BJP’s Sankalp Patra for Jharkhand’s Growth
During the rally, Shah also introduced key initiatives from the BJP’s manifesto, or Sankalp Patra, which envisions Jharkhand as a major hub for employment and industrial growth. Notably, the manifesto promises to create 5 lakh jobs, including nearly 3 lakh government roles, and establish industries focused on Jharkhand’s mineral wealth. Shah underscored that under BJP rule, economic initiatives would ensure that “no one will have to migrate out of Jharkhand for work,” reinforcing his commitment to making Jharkhand self-sufficient.
Conclusion
As BJP campaigns on the themes of land protection, anti-infiltration, and economic self-reliance, Shah’s rally laid out a roadmap to address Jharkhand’s unique socio-political challenges. With assembly elections approaching, these promises are positioned to galvanize voter support for a BJP-led administration that aims to balance traditional values with modern governance.
Web Team, C6N
