Children of infiltrators won't be given Adivasi status: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has taken a firm stance on the issue of illegal immigration, warning of its impact on Jharkhand's cultural fabric. Speaking to the media on October 28 during the Jharkhand Assembly election campaign, he reiterated concerns about the growing presence of infiltrators, especially in the Santhal Parganas, a region known for its rich tribal heritage.

Referring to his earlier remarks at a public rally in Dumka, CM Sarma cautioned that the influx of illegal immigrants is threatening to transform Jharkhand’s demographic composition, with the Santhal Parganas at risk of becoming a “mini Bangladesh.” He claimed that the continued entry of infiltrators is eroding the cultural and traditional structures of the indigenous communities in the state.

Announcing a three-pronged approach to address the issue, the Chief Minister outlined his party’s proposals should they come to power in Jharkhand. The first measure would involve implementing a National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state, aimed at identifying and legally expelling unauthorized immigrants. 

The second policy would directly impact the children of infiltrators, with the government refusing to grant Adivasi status to those born out of marriages between infiltrators and local tribal women. Additionally, Sarma emphasized that infiltrators who marry Adivasi women would not only be denied tribal status for their offspring but would also be barred from holding local leadership positions, such as 'Mukhiya' (village head).

The chief minister of Assam continue to reiterate his strong stand against infiltrators. Earlier, CM Sarma expressed concerns about demographic shifts in the Santhal Pargana region, pointing out a decline in the tribal population while the Muslim population has reportedly seen a significant rise. He clarified that while not every Muslim is an infiltrator, the increase in the Muslim population every five years raised questions. "Is a family giving birth to 10-12 children? If not, then people are definitely coming from outside. This is simple mathematics," he remarked.

CM Sarma even said, "I will set fire against infiltrators, just as Lord Hanuman set Lanka ablaze, we must set fire against infiltrators to make Jharkhand a golden land."