“Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and current state BJP president, Babulal Marandi, has raised concerns about the issue of religious conversion, describing it as a significant problem not only in Jharkhand but across the entire country. In an interview with ANI on Monday, Marandi accused the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha government, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, of allegedly promoting religious conversion in the state.
Marandi asserted that religious conversion had become a major challenge, stating, “The previous state government had enacted laws to penalize individuals involved in converting people through allurements or force, following a complaint against them.” However, he claimed that there was a noticeable decline in vigilance after the Hemant Soren government assumed power.
The former Chief Minister attributed the decrease in vigilance to a lack of attention towards conserving religious places, a measure he believes is crucial to addressing the issue. Marandi emphasized the need to preserve and develop religious sites to deter conversion activities.
He criticized the current government for alleged laxity in various sectors, including industry and tourism, contributing to a rise in migration from Jharkhand in search of employment opportunities. Marandi urged the government to focus on creating employment opportunities within the state to curb migration.
Addressing concerns about the declining tribal population in Jharkhand, Marandi attributed it to people migrating in search of employment. He stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of migration by focusing on sectors like tourism and industry.
During his recent ‘Sankalp Yatra,’ covering a distance of 3,749 km in Jharkhand, Marandi interacted with the people and observed a shift in focus from crucial sectors during the current government’s tenure. He expressed disappointment over the alleged neglect of industries and tourism, which, according to him, has contributed to the migration of Jharkhand workers to states like Uttarakhand, Hyderabad, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Mumbai.
Marandi called attention to the challenges faced by the Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Jharkhand, emphasizing the need for distinct approaches to address their unique issues. He highlighted the lack of land and irrigation facilities for tribals and the limited employment opportunities for the Dalit class in the state.
As the debate on religious conversion and migration intensifies in Jharkhand, Babulal Marandi continues to advocate for measures to preserve religious places and stimulate economic growth within the state to mitigate these challenges.”
