PM Modi Prioritizes Protection of Jharkhand’s Identity in Upcoming Elections

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spotlighted the protection of “roti, beti, and maati” (livelihood, daughters, and soil) as the main election issue, accusing the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) of enabling infiltration that jeopardizes Jharkhand’s unique cultural identity. Speaking at a rally in Deoghar’s Sarath, Modi emphasized the threat that infiltration poses to the tribal population and criticized the JMM-Congress coalition for its alleged neglect of Jharkhand’s indigenous communities and interests.

According to Modi, infiltration has led to significant demographic changes, with reports suggesting a concerning decline in tribal populations in areas like Santhal. Modi pledged that, if elected, the BJP would enact stringent laws to curb infiltration and restore tribal land rights, ensuring local resources remain safeguarded for Jharkhand’s people. Modi contended that under JMM’s rule, infiltration had been ignored, even allowing non-tribal settlers to establish permanent residence, thereby displacing local populations and seizing opportunities meant for Jharkhandis.

The prime minister also took aim at Congress, accusing the party of sidelining tribal rights and opposing the BJP’s efforts to empower tribal communities nationally, including the appointment of Droupadi Murmu, a tribal leader, as India’s President. Modi further alleged that Congress’s “vote-bank politics” contradicts its claims of supporting tribal welfare, suggesting the party’s agenda could threaten reservation policies for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.

With Jharkhand voting across two phases, Modi’s rhetoric has intensified, aiming to draw a clear line between the BJP’s commitment to protect Jharkhand’s cultural heritage and what he describes as the current administration’s failure to uphold it. Modi concluded by urging the state’s electorate to prioritize the protection of Jharkhand’s identity in their voting decisions, resonating with the BJP’s broader promise to safeguard “roti, beti, and maati.”