Despite a series of protests by the tribal community in Jharkhand, the government will introduce two amendments to the tenancy act today. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentary leader Saryu Rai will present the amendment bill in the Chotanagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act, 1908, and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act, 1949.

The Raghubar Das led BJP government is of opinion that the two laws were a deterrent to the growth of Chotanagpur and Santhal regions of Jharkhand. The amendments will allow the government to acquire agricultural land for commercial purposes.

The opposition parties such as Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) have been opposing the amendment bill ever since its inception. JMM spokesperson Abhishek Prasad had said, “The bill is against the very spirit of the state. Jharkhand was formed to protect land rights of tribal.”

Fearing strong protests from opposition parties the Jharkhand cabinet had approved the amendment ordinance in May. The ordinance was sent for the President’s assent. However, a delegation of JMM met President Pranab Mukherjee, in August, requesting him not agree on the ordinance promulgating the tenancy amendments.

While all BJP legislators have been asked to attend the today’s assembly session, the opposition i.e. JMM, JVM and the Congress Party are likely to disrupt the house.

However, what seems problematic for the BJP is that its own ally, the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) is against the amendments. AJSU has been releasing statements showing its dissatisfaction over the government’s passing the bill without consultation.