Jharkhand Politics: Hemant Soren Slams BJP’s ‘Beti Bachao’ Rhetoric Over Manipur Tribal Women Atrocities

Ranchi, November 06, 2024: In a sharp rebuttal to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over its ‘Roti, Beti, Maatri’ (Food, Daughter Soil) slogan for the upcoming assembly elections, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has raised strong concerns about BJP’s selective stance on women’s safety. Speaking at a public rally on Wednesday in support of JMM candidate Sukhram Oraon in Chakradharpur constituency, Hemant Soren questioned BJP’s credibility on women’s protection, pointing out their silence over the atrocities faced by tribal women in Manipur.

BJP’s Silence on Manipur Tribal Women’s Struggles: A Matter of Concern

Chief Minister Soren criticized BJP leaders, particularly Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, for their silence on the horrific crimes against tribal women in Manipur, accusing them of ignoring the ongoing violence. “How can these leaders, who kept mum when the dignity of tribal women in Manipur was violated, speak about saving daughters in Jharkhand?” Soren remarked, highlighting the contrast between their political rhetoric and their inaction.

Manipur has been plagued by severe violence targeting women, with reports of abductions, sexual assault and other atrocities. Despite being the Chairman of the North-Eastern States Development Council, Sarma, along with other BJP leaders, remained silent on the issue. Soren’s comments come at a time when BJP is actively campaigning in Jharkhand, promising to protect women’s rights, which Soren termed as “hypocritical.”

BJP’s Past Record on Women’s Rights Under Scrutiny

Hemant Soren further pointed to BJP’s controversial handling of cases involving women’s safety in other parts of the country, mentioning the release of convicts involved in the Bilkis Bano case in Gujarat and the controversial parole granted to rape convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim in Punjab. He questioned how the same party could now claim to be the champion of women’s rights, especially in Jharkhand, a state that has faced its own challenges with women’s safety and empowerment.

Roti, Beti, Maatri: A False Promise for Jharkhand

The Chief Minister also took a dig at BJP’s promises of providing food security and women’s safety, emphasizing the harsh reality during their tenure in the state. “Under BJP’s rule in Jharkhand, people were left to starve, with families dying of hunger while calling out for ‘bhath’ (rice),” Soren stated, accusing the BJP of attempting to sell Jharkhand’s natural resources to capitalists and corporate giants.

Hemant Soren’s Vision for Jharkhand: Empowering Women and Workers

Hemant Soren reminded voters of his government’s initiatives aimed at empowering women, including the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme and financial assistance for women. He announced that his government, starting December, would increase financial aid for women to ₹2500 per month, offering them dignity and economic independence. This initiative is part of the larger agenda to support women’s autonomy and secure their future.

Additionally, Hemant Soren attacked BJP for its divisive tactics, accusing them of sowing division in the state’s politics. “They have tried to break the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) by stealing our candidates and attempting to destroy our party,” he said.

Electoral Battle Heats Up Ahead of Jharkhand Assembly Elections

As the 2024 Jharkhand assembly elections approach, political campaigns have intensified. Hemant Soren’s comments were a pointed attack on BJP’s track record, particularly regarding women’s safety and social justice. This development underscores the broader tensions in the state’s political landscape, with both major parties trying to sway voters with promises of security, economic growth and social justice.

Hemant Soren’s remarks are expected to resonate with Jharkhand’s electorate, many of whom have faced the brunt of issues like hunger, unemployment and lack of healthcare during previous BJP-led administrations. The battle for the state’s future promises to be a defining moment for political discourse in Jharkhand.