Restriction on Ram Navami procession, BJP MLA asks if Jharkhand is ruled by Taliban

The BJP on Tuesday created a ruckus in the Jharkhand Assembly over the restrictions imposed on Ram Navami processions and wondered whether the state was being ruled by the Taliban.

During question hour, BJP legislator Maish Jaiswal demanded that DJ (big music system) be allowed in the Ram Navami procession in Hazaribag. An upset Jaiswal also tore his kurta while making the statement.

Jaiswal questioned whether people were living in a Taliban-ruled state and claimed that an FIR had been lodged against innocent people while five people are on a fast unto death in his Hazaribag constituency, demanding that a DJ be allowed during the procession.

Jaiswal also alleged that there was a deliberate attempt to destroy the 104-year-old tradition of the Ram Navami procession in Hazaribagh. BJP MLAs chanted slogans like "Jai Shri Ram" and "Jai Hanuman" in the House, creating rowdy scenes. Minister Mithilesh Thakur alleged that those staging the dharna who want to play DJ in Hazaribag are BJP workers.

“There is a directive to follow the Supreme Court and High Court orders regarding the decibel limit. We respect all religions – Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian. We are true devotees of Rama,” he said. Hundreds of people recently rallied in Hazaribagh against the government's order banning the playing of recorded music and the carrying of traditional weapons including lathis during Ram Navami processions.

Ram Navami processions in Hazaribagh are held for a longer period of time compared to other parts of the state. Amid the uproar, Congress MLA Deepika Pandey Singh reached the well of the House and alleged that she was insulted by the BJP as the party's saffron MP described her as a 'Nagarvadhu' (bride of the city).

She said, “I am a mother. I am a nurse. They (BJP) don't want goddesses and gods. They want a city bride. They are not Hindus; they are acting in the name of Hindus.” Meanwhile, the Assembly passed two bills to set up private universities in the state amid BJP's demand to send the proposed legislation to Select Committing for proper scrutiny.

Thakur said the establishment of two more universities would lead to an increase in the number of students enrolled in higher education. There are 16 private universities in Jharkhand.