Jharkhand Hindu Population To Decline By 50% In 20 Years, Claims BJP's Himanta Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday accused Jharkhand's JMM-led coalition of "patronising infiltrators" and claimed the upcoming election would centre on expelling illegal immigrants and protecting Hindus. Speaking at a BJP rally in Palamu, Himanta Sarma, who also serves as the BJP’s Jharkhand election co-incharge, called for Hindu unity to safeguard 'Sanatan Dharma,' claiming that continued infiltration could reduce the Hindu population to 50 per cent in Jharkhand within 20 years.

Himanta Biswa Sarma said the 2024 Jharkhand assembly election is crucial to "drive out infiltrators and protect Hindus," urging voters to unite against the JMM-led coalition. He alleged that the Hindu population has been declining in several parts of Jharkhand due to rising infiltration.

"This election is for driving out infiltrators from Jharkhand and saving Hindus. It is time to remain united to save Sanatan. If infiltration is not checked, the Hindu population in Jharkhand will decline to 50 per cent in the next 20 years," Himanta Sarma said while addressing a BJP rally at Panki in Palamu. 

झारखण्ड में जो हो रहा है अगर वही जारी रहा तो भविष्य में हिंदुओं की आबादी 50% हो जाएगी और घुसपैठियों की 50%। इसीलिए घुसपैठियों को बाहर निकालना अनिवार्य है।@BJP4Jharkhand pic.twitter.com/KC8S8mW2AI

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 2, 2024

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The BJP leader further claimed that there have been demographic changes in the Santhal Pargana region, where, according to him, the Hindu and Adivasi population dropped from 91 per cent in 1951 to 63 per cent today, while the Muslim population reportedly rose to 37 per cent. 

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Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the JMM, Congress and RJD of depending on a specific community’s vote bank, appealing to Hindus to rally under the BJP’s banner. Sarma also targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of promoting divisive politics to fragment the Hindu vote. He promised that a BJP government would fill 2.87 lakh vacant government positions and create 1.5 lakh jobs within the first year if elected.

The 81-member Jharkhand Assembly election will be conducted in two phases on November 13 and 20, with vote counting scheduled for November 23.

(With PTI Inputs)