With only a few days left for voting in the Jharkhand Assembly elections, the issue of Bangladeshi infiltrators and demographic changes has become a hot topic in the state. Reports of "love jihad," "land jihad," illegal infiltration, and forced conversions frequently surface from different parts of Jharkhand. This time, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken up the issue more seriously.
The tribal heartland, with districts like Sahibganj, Dumka, and Pakur, has emerged as a key battleground. Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is campaigning on promises such as a monthly allowance of ₹2,500 for women and increased Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for farmers.
Image Source: OpIndia Hindi
Meanwhile, the BJP is centering its campaign around tribal identity (Adivasi Asmita) and is highlighting concerns over illegal immigration. According to the BJP, unauthorized settlements are altering the demographic balance in the region. The JMM, however, refutes these claims, accusing the BJP of fear-mongering.
A report by Organiser offers a glimpse into the situation. In the predominantly Muslim areas of Santhal Pargana, 35 Hindu families are striving to uphold their traditions despite numerous challenges. These families are vastly outnumbered, surrounded by over 11,000 Muslim households.
Despite facing social pressure, Hindu families in Santhal Pargana were seen celebrating Chhath Puja when the Organiser team visited. In villages like Mansingha and Rajmahal, the Hindu population has dwindled significantly, while mosques and madrasas have become a common sight.
These areas have long been a point of concern for the BJP. The isolated Hindu communities reportedly face numerous hardships, including restrictions from the local Muslim majority that prevent them from engaging in traditional livelihoods such as fishing.
Comment from the locals
Speaking to the organizer, Dhani Chaudhary from the region mentioned, “We have been paying tax for years, but things changed after 2014 when we felt that the central government has supported us. This change also brought challenges. Now we are not allowed to go to fishing areas.” Ashok Chaudhary, another villager, shared his experience of celebrating the Chhath festival under challenging circumstances.
Chaudhary said, “Even during weddings, controversies are created due to music. When azan is given or namaz is read, the baraat has to go silent. If this is not done, then the occasion is often spoiled by quarrels and fights with us.”
Another resident, Rajkumar Chowdhury, expressed apprehension about the rapid demographic change. “These newcomers are not the Muslims of our country. Their number is increasing month by month and soon they will spread to Bengal,” he mentioned that Chhath Puja has evolved beyond being just a festival in the face of demographic changes;. it has become a symbol of resilience.
The situation for Hindus in the area is not favorable
Hindus who spoke with journalist Aditi Tyagi, who visited Madhupur for on-the-ground election reporting, shared similar views. One elderly Hindu remarked that Hindus are not even permitted to draw water from the wells. When Aditi inquired about the key issues affecting the people in the area, the man became emotional and replied, "Getting a well."
He said, “We went to local minister Hafizul Ansari four months ago to get a well constructed. He refused to help and said Hindus will not get anything.” He claimed that Muslims receive all the benefits, while Hindus receive nothing. As he pointed to his field, he continued, “If we had a well, we could grow vegetables.”
The immersion of Durga idols is also prohibited
Another local Hindu resident shared his experience, revealing that there was an attempt to set fire to the house of a Hindu man named Pradeep Modi. He said, “During Durga Puja, our idol immersion procession was stopped… During this Durga Puja, pressure was maintained from the police station to every other department.” The man also held Minister Hafizul Ansari responsible for this situation.
He stated that Minister Hafizul Ansari has been exerting pressure on the local administration to prevent Hindus from celebrating festivals and organizing events. He said, “Wherever Hindus become a minority, they do not allow us to play DJ during azaan or take out processions through Muslim-dominated areas.”
Stone pelting incidents targeting Hindus in Gopinathpur
In another video, Hindu women recounted their ordeal, describing how they were targeted with stone-pelting by Muslims in Gopinathpur this past June. An elderly man standing nearby said, “They were more than 10,000 in number. The police could not control them. They had to fire in the air to disperse the crowd. It was only because of the police that we were all saved that day.”
The Hindu woman said, “They still attack us. They enter our homes.” The situation in areas of Jharkhand where Hindus have become a minority has grown increasingly precarious. Demographic and cultural tensions are running high, raising significant concerns about whether residents in these regions will be able to vote freely in the upcoming election.
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