The winter session of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly commenced on Friday, immediately plunging into a heated debate over tribal identity and rights. The demand for implementing the Sarna religious code emerged as the dominant issue, setting a contentious tone for the five-day session.
Sarna Code: A Precondition for Census Revision
State Rural Development Minister and Congress legislator Deepika Pandey Singh launched a sharp critique against the central government on the very first day. She asserted that conducting the proposed Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls or any delimitation exercise in Jharkhand without first implementing the long-pending Sarna code would constitute a grave injustice to the state's tribal community.
Addressing reporters outside the assembly, Singh framed the delay as a deliberate act. "While the ongoing SIR in other states has exposed several flaws, initiatives for such revisions, census, and delimitation without the Sarna code in Jharkhand would mean a planned conspiracy by the BJP government at the Centre against the tribals," she alleged.
She reminded that the Hemant Soren government had already passed a resolution from the state assembly advocating for the Sarna code's implementation, which includes a separate column in the census form. This resolution has been sent to the President but remains pending with the central government. "The Sarna code will grant the tribals their religious identity," Singh emphasized, adding that her government intends to raise the matter again when the assembly reconvenes on Monday.
Counterpoint on Tribal Identity and Conversion
The debate took another turn with BJP legislator and former Chief Minister Champai Soren presenting a different perspective on protecting tribal identity. He stressed the need to de-list tribals who have undergone religious conversion from the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category to safeguard traditional tribal practices and identity.
"Religious conversion today is a major threat to the existence of the Adivasis," Champai Soren stated, introducing a parallel but contentious dimension to the discussion on preserving indigenous heritage.
Session Commences with Tributes, Sets Legislative Agenda
The first day began with the customary homage to noted personalities who passed away recently. Speaker Ravindranath Mahto, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, and Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi, along with leaders from various parties, acknowledged the contributions of the departed souls in their addresses.
In his inaugural speech, Speaker Ravindranath Mahto set an aspirational tone, describing the house as a heritage where people's hopes resonate and democracy finds expression. He appealed to all parties to conduct the session in a constructive, organized, and smooth manner.
The government has lined up a busy schedule of financial and legislative business. The session's agenda includes:
- Monday: Question Hour and discussion on the second supplementary expenditure statement for the current financial year.
- Tuesday: Discussion on the supplementary budget.
- Wednesday: Presentation of various departmental bills.
The government has indicated that apart from the critical financial proposals, several pending bills will also be advanced during this short but significant winter session, making the coming days crucial for Jharkhand's polity.
