JMM, Cong. attempt to divide society, undermine tribal rights will fail: BJP

Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi addressed the media in Ranchi on Sunday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Congress, accusing them of engaging in “divisive politics”. Mr. Marandi criticized the Congress for opposing the ‘Adivasi Samagam (tribal conclave)’.

He issued a warning, claiming that their plot to divide society and undermine the fundamental rights of tribal people would not succeed.

At a press conference at the BJP state headquarters in Ranchi, Mr. Marandi pointed out that there is no difference between “sarna, sanatana and Hindu traditions; rather, they all emphasize the worship of nature – trees, mountains, stones, water bodies and earth”.

“There are over 700 distinct tribes across the country within the community and there are 32 to 33 recognized tribes in Jharkhand alone. In their respective villages and homes, these communities worship their own specific deities. This ‘unity in diversity’ is an integral part of the Sanatana, Hindu and J Sarna traditions. Yet these are Congress members who share such deep similarities and similarities with Hindus,” the BJP leader said.

‘wrong statements’

He added: “However, the truth is that there is absolutely no tradition of ‘making’ someone a Hindu; one is born into it. People are really ‘made’ Christians or Muslims. Sarna, Sanatana and Hindu identity are a matter of birth.”

Attacking the ruling party, the former chief minister said the Congress was “following in the footsteps of the British by dividing society and pitting people against each other”.

“The Congress follows the British philosophy of divide and rule. Now that the Congress is facing exit from the national scene, the party is resorting to a new tactic to divide the society,” he said.

Mr. Marandi said there was an “urgent” need to preserve, protect and develop all places of worship belonging to tribal communities such as Sarna Masna, Pahanai, Jaherthan and Manjhi Than.

He also claimed that land associated with tribal worship was being encroached by the mafia.

‘Sowing discord’

The former CM alleged that Congress and JMM are actively working to sow discord in the tribal community due to vote bank politics.

He said the Jharkhand government, through new rules governing the Panchayat Extension Scheduled Areas Act (PESA), announced in January, had tried to undermine tribal traditions and customary systems. “There is currently a conspiracy – driven by vote bank politics – to isolate the indigenous tribal communities of this region. This conspiracy will not be allowed to succeed at any cost,” Mr Marandi said.

Published – 25 May 2026 01:13 IST