PM Modi repeats claims that alleged ‘infiltrators’ are taking over Jharkhand panchayats

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday repeated the claims that alleged “infiltrators” were taking over positions in panchayats in the Santhal Pargana, the northeastern region of Jharkhand.

The region comprises six districts: Godda, Deoghar, Dumka, Jamtara, Sahibganj and Pakur. It has traditionally been home to the Santal Adivasi community.

In the run-up to the Assembly elections in Jharkhand, several Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have alleged that “Bangladeshi infiltrators” were marrying Adivasi women to grab their land and property, and to use them as proxies to gain power in the region.

A Scroll investigation has found such claims to be false.

On Sunday, the prime minister claimed that the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led government in the state was aiding Bangladeshi and Rohingya “infiltrators” to build its vote banks based on religion.

“In Santhal Pargana, the Adivasi population is decreasing rapidly,” claimed Modi at a public rally in Jamshedpur. “The lands are being grabbed. Infiltrators are taking over positions in panchayats.”

The prime minister claimed that the incidents of crime against women were increasing. “Every Jharkhandi is feeling unsafe because of the infiltrators,” he said. “The JMM [Jharkhand Mukti Morcha] is standing with Bangladeshis and Rohingyas...These infiltrators and extremists are taking over the JMM.”

प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जमशेदपुर, झारखंड में विशाल जनसभा को संबोधित कर रहे हैं। https://t.co/tuHfmPZDKl— BJP (@BJP4India) September 15, 2024

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