Jharkhand HC issues orders to oust Bangladeshi infiltrators
- In Reports
- 10:49 PM, Jul 04, 2024
- Myind Staff
The Jharkhand High Court recently directed the state government to identify Bangladeshis who have entered India illegally and to develop an action plan to take action against them and repatriate them. The High Court, while hearing a petition, also requested a report on the presence of infiltrators within the state.
On 3rd July, a bench comprising Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice AK Rai issued orders to oust Bangladeshi infiltrators from the state. The High Court directed the state administration to locate the infiltrators currently in the state within two weeks, identify them, and submit a report detailing the actions taken against them. The court also requested a report from the Central Government on the matter.
The High Court showed a clear determination during Daniel Danish's hearing. According to his plea, banned Bangladeshi organisations are reportedly engaging in systematic marriage and conversion of tribal girls from Jharkhand in the Santhal Pargana districts bordering Bangladesh.
Additionally, there has been an increase in new madrasas, with 46 new madrasas reportedly opening in this area. The Santhal Pargana districts include Godda, Deoghar, Dumka, Jamtara, Sahibganj, and Pakur.
This observation by the High Court highlights the growing issue in Jharkhand, which has become increasingly problematic. The districts of Santal Pargana share borders with West Bengal, where infiltrators first enter from Bangladesh before moving into Jharkhand.
Several cases have already emerged that echo the concerns raised by the Jharkhand High Court. Earlier in March 2024, Aaj Tak reported exclusively on the issues highlighted in the plea. According to the Aaj Tak article, Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators enter India through West Bengal and then settle in. Some of them reportedly target tribal girls and coerce them into marriage.
After marriage, the girl retains her legal tribal identification. Later, land may be acquired in her name or her existing land may be taken over. According to reports, infiltrators from Bangladesh receive funding to carry out these activities, often aiming to exploit government benefits linked to tribal status. Additionally, in many areas, girls who marry Muslims are compelled to participate in elections.
Aaj Tak's report suggests that Bangladeshis infiltrating this region are primarily interested in mining activities. This influx is gradually altering the local identity. Upon entering Jharkhand, these infiltrators are also provided with fake identity documents, facilitated by those who have already settled in the area.
The issue with Bangladeshi infiltrators goes beyond issues of marriage and property theft; it also extends into electoral matters, particularly impacting Lok Sabha elections. Anant Ojha, MLA from Rajmahal, recently told OpIndia that Muslim votes have seen a significant increase in certain villages within his constituency.
According to Anant Ojha, he received 672 votes in 2019 at his assembly booth number 187. It rose to 1461 by 2024. This indicates it increased by almost 117%. With this, the number of votes cast at the government madrasa booth climbed by 754 to 1189. There are at least 73 such booths within this assembly where voter growth is abnormal.
MLA Anant Ojha informed OpIndia that all these booths are situated within Muslim communities, while during the same period, the number of booths with a Hindu population has decreased to 17. He had lodged a complaint with the State Election Commission regarding this issue. The Commission has directed the formation of a team to investigate and take necessary action.
There is discussion about implementing physical voter verification in this area due to the escalating concerns. The issue has become significant enough for the court to intervene. The upcoming actions of the state administration against Bangladeshi infiltrators following the court's judgment remain to be seen.
Image source: Hindustan Times
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