Ranchi, Oct. 14 : The decision of Sibu Soren to grace Ravana dahan (burning) being organised at Jamshedpur tomorrow on the conclusion of Navratri has triggered a debate in the party on whether it would be “proper” for the JMM chief to attend the function.

Though Soren has expressed his willingness to grace the occasion and has already intimated the organisers of his presence, party ideologues have cautioned that being a “Dravidian”, he should stay away from the “Aryan event” that defiles the Dravidian hero — the Ravana.

Party ideologues have pointed out to Soren that anthropologists have “proved” that tribals are from the Dravidian race. The ideologues added that festivals like the Durga Puja had their origins in triumph of the Aryan race over the Dravidians or the original settlers who were pushed further down south from their northern homelands by the might of the invading Aryans.

The ideologues pointed out that being from the Dravidian race where Ravana is still worshiped as a hero, his presence at the “burning” festival at Jamshedpur was likely to send wrong signals among tribals who comprise the backbone of the JMM.

Soren today caught everybody unawares after, he along with his trusted lieutenants. drove down to the famous Ratu Fort, some 18 km away from Ranchi, to offer homage to Goddess Durga on Mahashtami. The Ratu fort has a long history of celebrating Durga Puja over the past 2,500 years since it was set up by the then Raja Phanimukut Ray. Soren went ahead and told the amused gathering that he had all along been a worshipper of Goddess Durga and had named his son, now an MLA, Durga, when he was born on Mahadashami day after the Goddess.

Party ideologues told The Telegraph that the party had decided not to ignore “religious sentiments” and to “mix” with the masses on all public and religious functions. Sources said the party was set up in 1972 by Communists Benod Behari Mahato and A.K. Ray, along with a Soren, to lead a co-ordinated fight for a separate tribal homeland. Being imbued more by Marxist philosophy, the party, along with its leaders, had taken care to keep itself aloof from all religious fervour.

However, the party ideologues revealed that the JMM has now decided to shelve its “anti-religious stance” as part of an extended PR campaign to bring it as close as possible to the people of all hues, religion and colour.

“We need the support of all classes and hence we cannot afford to remain aloof when thousands of people are out celebrating important religious functions,” they said. Sources added that henceforth, the party and its chief would intermingle with the people on all important religious occasions —from Idd to Christmas, Durga Puja and even on the birthday celebrations of Sikh Gurus.