JMM Responds to Babulal Marandi's Remarks on Paharia Tribe with Accusations of Insincerity
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Ranchi, Dec 3 (NationPress) The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) strongly responded on Tuesday to comments made by BJP state President Babulal Marandi concerning the situation of the state's indigenous tribe, the Paharia, accusing him of "shedding crocodile tears" for their welfare.
JMM General Secretary and spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya stated during a press conference that if Marandi genuinely cares about primitive tribes, he should first investigate their economic and social conditions in BJP-led states such as Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.
He highlighted that under BJP governance, Madhya Pradesh is home to 18 primitive tribes, yet their conditions are overlooked. Likewise, Odisha has 15 primitive tribes, and Chhattisgarh hosts 12. Bhattacharya challenged whether Marandi was familiar with their names or locations. "We are prepared to inform him about these tribes and propose a comparative analysis of their social, economic, educational, health, and employment conditions with those in Jharkhand," he remarked.
On Monday, Marandi called for Chief Minister Hemant Soren to establish a special committee aimed at fostering comprehensive development for primitive tribes, particularly focusing on the Paharia group. "The economic and social condition of the primitive tribes of Jharkhand, especially the Paharia, is evident. There is inadequate access to roads for reaching their villages, nor do they benefit from health services. Basic necessities such as quality education and drinking water are severely lacking," he expressed in a post on X.
Bhattacharya further criticized Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of misleading tribals in Jharkhand on religious grounds during election campaigns. "The tribals from Jharkhand employed in Assam's tea gardens have not been granted Scheduled Tribe status to this day. My question to Marandi is whether he ever addressed their issues when he was a minister, MP, or MLA," he questioned.
Highlighting the initiatives of the JMM-led government, Bhattacharya credited former Chief Minister Shibu Soren and current Chief Minister Hemant Soren for implementing direct government appointments for Paharia tribe members. "Our government has undertaken numerous measures for their welfare and upliftment," he stated.
He further emphasized the JMM's strong electoral performance in the tribal region, noting that the party won 27 out of 28 tribal seats in the state. "The tribal population has given a resounding response to leaders from outside the state who sought to displace the government of a tribal son, Hemant Soren," he asserted.
The spokesperson also announced that under the Maiya Samman Yojna, an amount of Rs 2,500 would be credited into the accounts of lakhs of women in Jharkhand on December 11, as part of the government's ongoing development initiatives.
Bhattacharya reiterated the JMM's dedication to the advancement and welfare of tribal communities, urging Marandi to refrain from making empty declarations.
