"Tribal communities on verge of extinction": Nishikant Dubey flags declining population in Jharkhand's Santhal Pargana region

According to Dubey, the tribal population in the region has dropped significantly, from 45% in 1951 to 27% in 2011, and is expected to further decline to around 21-22% in the upcoming census.

He said, "For the past 10 years or more, I have been consistently raising this issue--that in our region, Santhal Pargana, while everyone talks about SCs, STs, and OBCs, the reality is starkly different. As per the 1951 Census, the tribal population in Santhal Pargana was 45%. According to the 2011 Census, this has dropped to only 27%," adding, "I can confidently say that in the upcoming census, this number will fall further to around 21 or 22%."

Dubey claims that the influx of Bangladeshi infiltrators is leading to a demographic shift, marginalising tribal communities and violating the dignity of local women. Dubey has demanded the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Jharkhand to address the issue, emphasising its national importance.

"This is not just Jharkhand's issue; it's a national problem. As the tribal population continues to decline, Bangladeshi infiltrators are increasing in number. They are violating the dignity of our daughters and daughters-in-law."

He accuses the Jharkhand government of being complicit in this demographic shift, allowing Bangladeshi infiltrators to enter and take control of local resources.

"Tribal communities are on the verge of extinction, and the state government there is complicit in this disappearance. On the basis of Aadhaar, Bangladeshi infiltrators are entering, marrying our girls, and taking control over our water, forests, and land," Dubey said.

He also claimed that the 2008 Census was deliberately not conducted in Jharkhand to prevent triggering a change in the state's reserved seats for tribals.

Dubey said, "The 2008 census in Jharkhand was deliberately not conducted because the decline in the tribal population would have led to the loss of one Lok Sabha seat and six legislative assembly seats reserved for tribals. And now, with the upcoming census, I believe that once again there will be no delimitation in Jharkhand--because this time, the state stands to lose 2 Lok Sabha seats and 12 legislative assembly seats." (ANI)