In the monsoon session of the Jharkhand Assembly, the Hemant Soren government is preparing to take a significant political step. The government plans to pass a resolution against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Ranchi: The political temperature in Jharkhand is once again on the rise. The state's coalition government, led by Hemant Soren, has launched an open front against the central government's "Special Intensive Revision" (SIR) process. During the monsoon session, the government will pass a resolution against SIR in the Legislative Assembly on August 4 and send it to the Center.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren has termed this process a direct attack on democracy, saying that it is a violation of the right to vote and a conspiracy to deprive weaker sections of voting rights.
What is SIR and why is there opposition?
SIR, or Special Intensive Revision, is a process in which voter lists are thoroughly analyzed and updated. However, the Jharkhand government alleges that this exercise is being used as a political weapon, attempting to systematically eliminate the voting rights of poor, tribal, and Dalit communities. The coalition says that this exercise is a conspiracy by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to disrupt the democratic balance in non-BJP ruled states.
Strategy formed in the coalition meeting
In a joint meeting of the coalition held on Thursday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, it was decided that a united step would be taken against SIR. Several prominent MLAs and ministers from Congress, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), and other constituent parties attended this meeting. It was decided in the meeting that:
- A resolution will be introduced in the Legislative Assembly on August 4
- All ruling MLAs will be compulsorily present in the House that day
- After the resolution is passed, it will be sent to the central government
- It will be raised on the national platform to spread awareness among the public
Support from Congress and allies
Earlier, SIR was also discussed in the Congress Legislature Party meeting. State Congress President Keshav Mahato Kamlesh and Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishor, along with other leaders, described it as against the right to vote under Article 326 of the Constitution. It was said in the meeting that this process is an attempt to target selected sections and remove their names from the voter list, which will give electoral benefits to the BJP. The coalition is warning of a widespread public movement, calling it an anti-people policy.
While the central government is calling it an effort to keep the voter list updated and fair, the Jharkhand government is considering it a "political conspiracy". A similar process has also been opposed in Bihar, and the government there had described it as against constitutional values.
Hemant Soren said:
'We are committed to protecting the rights of the people of Jharkhand. This process is a conspiracy against the weak and deprived sections, which will not be tolerated under any circumstances.'
Preparing for national debate through the resolution
The Chief Minister has instructed all the MLAs to ensure full attendance during the monsoon session and to counter any propaganda of the opposition with facts and unity. He said that it is also necessary to convey the achievements of the government to the public so that the confusion being spread by the opposition can be broken. The resolution to be brought on August 4 will not be limited to the State Legislative Assembly.
By sending it to the central government, an attempt will be made to bring this issue into the national discourse. The Jharkhand government wants other non-BJP ruled states of the country to also support this resolution and unite to protect constitutional rights.
Key leaders present in the meeting
Many big leaders were involved in this important meeting:
- Hemant Soren (Chief Minister)
- Keshav Mahato Kamlesh (State Congress President)
- Dr. Siribella Prasad (State Co-Incharge)
- Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishor
- Agriculture Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey
MLAs Anoop Singh, Hemlal Murmu, Suresh Paswan, Sanjay Prasad Yadav, Mathura Prasad Mahato, Savita Mahato, Nishat Alam, Niral Purti, Mangal Kalindi, along with many others
This presence reflects the unity and preparation of the coalition, which is completely serious about this resolution.
