Jharkhand: Land amendment bill passed despite chaos

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government introduced amendments to Jharkhand’s native land tenancy acts in the state assembly yesterday. As expected, the opposition parties including Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) disrupted the house in order to avert the passage of the bill. 

The government argued that the section under the Chotanagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act, 1908, and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act (SPT), 1949 were deterrents to development and hence amendments were passed to allow the purchase of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes. Contrary to this view, the opposition is of opinion that it will affect the rights of the native population.

The scene turned ugly when opposition leaders who trooped into the well of the house hurled shoes at the speaker Dinesh Oraon. His mics were damaged and copies of amended bill were torn. A few opposition members climbed the media desk of the house, throwing chairs. The house was disrupted thrice and opposition legislators were marshalled out. JMM legislators Polush Surin and Anil Murmu scuffled with marshals.

 Despite all this, the BJP passed the bill within three minutes of its introduction. However, it is imperative to note there was no consultation about the amendments before its passage. Raghuvar Das government’s failure to hold a dialogue on the issue can be sensed from the fact that members its student wing All Jharkhand Students’ Union (AJSU) were standing with opposition leaders. AJSU has said that it will go to the court against the passage of the bill. 

Outside the house, police resorted to lathi charges on the crowd which had assembled to protest against the CNT-SPT amendments. The opposition has called a state-wide strike on November 25.

Meanwhile, this how leading local Hindi dailies covered the drama inside and outside the house. Interestingly, Hindi daily Dainik Jagran’s headline had subtly put the opposition parties in a completely negative light. 

Prabhat Khabar: Chair-Shoe hurled at the Speaker, vandalism in the house, CNT-SPT amendment act passed in three minutes

Hindustan: Vidhan Sabha passes amendments in the CNT act

Dainik Jagran: Scuffle, Abuses, and Shoe hurled at the Speaker