Nishikant Dubey Calls for Union Territory Status for Parts of Jharkhand and West Bengal

New Delhi, July 26, 2024 – Raising a controversial issue during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Thursday demanded that parts of Jharkhand and West Bengal be declared a union territory to tackle the challenges posed by illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Dubey also called for the implementation of an Assam-like National Register of Citizens (NRC) to address the issue.

Key Points from Dubey’s Speech:

• Population Decline: Dubey claimed that the population of Adivasis in the Santhal Parganas region of Jharkhand has declined due to alleged infiltration from Bangladesh. He highlighted that the tribal population in Santhal Pargana has decreased from 36% in 2000 to 26% today.
• Union Territory Demand: He demanded that Malda, Murshidabad, Araria, Kishanganj, Katihar, and the Santhal Parganas be declared a union territory to preserve the local demographic balance and protect the interests of the native population.
• Illegal Migration Concerns: Dubey expressed concerns about Bangladeshi intruders marrying tribal women and influencing local demographics. He mentioned incidents of riots and displacement in Pakur’s Taranagar-Ilami and Dagapara due to this issue.
• Call for NRC Implementation: Dubey stressed the need for an NRC to identify and manage illegal immigrants, stating that without such measures, Hindus might disappear from these regions.

Response from Trinamool Congress: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) strongly objected to Dubey’s remarks, accusing him of raising a divisive issue. TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay stated that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has categorically opposed the implementation of NRC in West Bengal. He emphasized that the issue should not be framed as Hindu versus Muslim but rather as a concern about the settlement of outsiders in the region.

Government’s Stance: Union ministers and other BJP leaders have yet to officially respond to Dubey’s demands. However, the issue is likely to spark significant debate and discussion in the coming days.

For more updates on this developing story, visit Sarhind Times.