BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has called for parts of Jharkhand and West Bengal to be combined into a Union Territory to address challenges posed by illegal immigrants. Speaking in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, Dubey expressed concerns about the declining population of tribals in the Santhal Parganas region of Jharkhand, attributing it to the influx of "Bangladeshi infiltrators."
"I demand that Malda, Murshidabad, Araria, Kishanganj, Katihar, and the Santhal Parganas region be declared as a Union Territory and the National Register of Citizens be implemented there," Dubey urged.
He stated that Bangladeshi infiltrators were entering Jharkhand from neighboring West Bengal, settling in the region, and marrying local women. Dubey claimed these women were now contesting elections from seats in the zilla panchayat to the Lok Sabha, further stating, “The woman who contests Lok Sabha or zilla panchayat polls, her husband is a Muslim. There are at least 100 village heads in the state whose husbands are Muslims."
Dubey highlighted the issue of riots breaking out in Pakur's Taranagar-Ilami and Dagapara, attributing the unrest to people from Malda and Murshidabad ousting locals. He criticized the Jharkhand Police for being unable to address the situation.
He called for Central government intervention to ensure the protection of Hindus in the area, emphasizing the significant demographic changes in Santhal Pargana since its separation from Bihar and integration into Jharkhand in 2000. Dubey noted that the tribal population in the region has decreased from 36% to 26%, questioning the whereabouts of the missing 10%.
“The state I come from, from Santhal Pargana area - when Santhal Pargana separated from Bihar and became a part of Jharkhand, in 2000 tribals formed 36% of the population in Santhal Pargana. Today, their population is 26%. Where did 10% of the tribals vanish? This House never worries about them, it indulges in vote bank politics…If nothing else, send a Committee of the House there and implement the report of the Law Commission from 2010 that permission is essential for conversion and marriage…” Dubey said.