Jharkhand Minister Irfan Ansari is under intense scrutiny following allegations of making derogatory remarks about Sita Soren, the BJP candidate and estranged sister-in-law of Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Ansari, who represents the Congress party in Jamtara, has denied the claims, stating that the video used against him was edited to misrepresent his words.
The controversy erupted after Sita Soren filed her nomination papers and accused Ansari of targeting her since her candidacy was announced. “The derogatory remarks he made are unacceptable and an insult to the tribal community. The tribal community will never forgive him,” she asserted, visibly emotional. Sita Soren is the widow of Durga Soren, son of JMM chief Shibu Soren, who died in 2009. She recently joined the BJP after a fallout with her family amid political turmoil surrounding the chief minister’s office.
In response to the allegations, the BJP has ramped up its criticism of Ansari, submitting a formal complaint to Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar. The complaint condemns Ansari’s remarks as disrespectful to tribal women, emphasizing that such behavior undermines the dignity of a community that Jharkhand was established to uplift. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the BJP’s election in-charge for the state, stated, “If Hemant Soren has any shame or self-respect, he should resign immediately. A person who cannot honor his sister-in-law has no right to hold office.”
Irfan Ansari, defending himself, told The Indian Express, “The entire video has been edited. I consider Sita Soren my sister-in-law and never named anyone specifically. This is a tactic by the BJP’s IT Cell to manipulate the narrative.” He maintained that his comments were not aimed at any individual, but were intended in a colloquial context.
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has demanded an action report on the matter, while Jamtara Police have registered an FIR against Ansari under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023, citing disobedience to public orders. The unfolding situation highlights ongoing political tensions in Jharkhand as parties gear up for upcoming elections.
(Input from the Agencies)
