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Dumka, Jan. 2: The JMM’s plea to the state government to recognise 1932 land records as a marker for identifying natives has surprised a section of the party, with the district unit head in Dumka saying the demand went against its stance.
“JMM’s manifesto has always aimed at ensuring equality among everyone residing in Jharkhand. Even Guruji has repeatedly said that those born in Jharkhand are Jharkhandis. Therefore, there is no question of discriminating anyone on the question of land records,” Subhash Singh, the district JMM president, told The Telegraph.
The JMM’s demand is aimed at allowing the natives of the state to be entitled to grade-III and grade-IV jobs. It was part of a charter of demands, including strict execution of tenancy laws, that was presented by JMM leader Hemant Soren to chief minister Arjun Munda last month.
However, experts feel the demand would meet a similar fate as the futile attempt of former chief minister Babulal Marandi to formulate a domicile policy.
“To discriminate citizens on the basis of their residential status is against the Constitution and it is the prerogative of Parliament alone to make amendments,” pointed out Shailendra Sinha of the political science department, Shikaripara College.
Marandi, whose attempts to frame a domicile policy to reserve jobs for tribals and sadans — considered the original settlers of Jharkhand — had resulted in social tension during his stint, is tight-lipped on the issue.
Speaking to The Telegraph recently, the JVM president had said that he would wait for the report of a three-member committee constituted by the Munda government on the question of residential identity before declaring his party’s stand.
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