The Hemant Soren-led government in Jharkhand is under scrutiny for its alleged failure to address two significant and interlinked issues: the rise of extremism and the unchecked influx of illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators.
These challenges not only threaten the social fabric and security of Jharkhand but also raise serious concerns about the state's administrative and governance capabilities.
Al-Qaeda's Roots in Jharkhand?In a recent operation led by the Delhi Police, Jharkhand ATS, and other central agencies, a major Al-Qaeda module was busted, revealing a conspiracy to establish Khilafat in India. This operation resulted in the arrest of 12 individuals, including a doctor, madrasa teacher, and others involved in petty jobs. The mastermind behind this group, Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed, an MBBS doctor from Jharkhand, allegedly had international links. Dr. Ahmed approached Mufti Rahmatullah Majhiri, a madrasa teacher in Chanho, Ranchi, to recruit youths for the organisation.
What is striking about this development is not just the involvement of educated professionals, like Dr. Ahmed, but also the deep-rooted connections these individuals had with local communities. The majority of those arrested come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, performing menial tasks such as making number plates and fixing flat tires. The diversity in the backgrounds of these individuals highlights a deliberate attempt by extremist groups to penetrate various social strata to propagate their ideology.
The Illegal Infiltration CrisisRunning parallel to the rise of extremist elements is the ongoing issue of illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators in Jharkhand. This problem is particularly acute in the Santhal Pargana region, which includes districts like Pakur. The population growth rate in Pakur is officially recorded at 28% according to the 2011 Census. However, a recent verification process revealed that the voter growth rate in Muslim-majority areas of Pakur stands at an astonishing 65%. Such a discrepancy suggests an influx of illegal migrants who may be influencing the demographic and electoral landscape of the region.
Despite the gravity of these findings, the verification process conducted by the Pakur district administration was superficial at best. Completed in just three days, the process relied merely on matching voter cards with Aadhaar, without a thorough examination of the documents. This rapid verification has come under criticism for failing to address the large-scale fabrication of documents such as Aadhaar cards and birth certificates, which have been reported in Santhal.
Jharkhand Government's Role and ResponsibilityThe underlying cause for these alarming developments is the perceived leniency of the Hemant Soren-led government towards illegal Bangladeshi infiltration. Critics argue that the JMM-Congress government is tacitly encouraging this influx for political gain. By potentially bolstering a voter base sympathetic to their interests, the government may be turning a blind eye to the broader implications for national security and communal harmony.
Furthermore, the administration's inadequate response to the verification of voter lists raises questions about its commitment to upholding electoral integrity. The fact that only 9 out of 263 polling stations in Pakur-Maheshpur were investigated for increased voter numbers suggests a lack of seriousness in addressing this issue. The explanations provided by the administration, which attribute the rise in voter numbers to natural population growth and awareness campaigns, fail to account for the specific demographic anomalies observed.
The Bigger PictureThe convergence of these two stories-the rise of extremism and the unchecked infiltration of illegal migrants-paints a concerning picture for Jharkhand. The state's inability to effectively address these challenges could have far-reaching consequences, not only for its internal security but also for the broader socio-political stability of India. The rise of extremist ideologies, if left unchecked, could destabilise the region, while the continuous influx of illegal migrants threatens to alter the demographic balance and undermine the rule of law.