A political storm has erupted in the State after the state's Minority Welfare Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader, Hafizul Hasan Ansari, reportedly stated that ‘Shariat is above the Constitution’. The remark has drawn strong condemnation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which termed the minister's comment as an "open attack on India’s democratic fabric and constitutional values."
Reacting sharply, the BJP’s Jamshedpur Mahanagar unit announced a massive protest march to be held on April 21. The party said it will take to the streets in large numbers to voice its outrage and demand accountability.
An important strategy meeting was held at the BJP district office in Sakchi under the chairmanship of District President Sudhanshu Ojha. The meeting was attended by senior party functionaries, including office bearers from various BJP fronts. Detailed discussions were held to ensure the success of the planned protest.
The party will organize a grand protest march from the district office in Sakchi to the East Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner’s office on April 21 at 10 am. BJP leaders stated that thousands of party workers and citizens are expected to join the protest. A memorandum condemning the minister’s remarks will be submitted to the Deputy Commissioner during the march.
Addressing the press, BJP District President Sudhanshu Ojha strongly criticized Minister Ansari’s remarks, stating, “The statement is not just an insult to the Indian Constitution but also an endorsement of extremist ideology. A minister who has sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution is now undermining it.”
Ojha added, “India is governed by the Constitution, not by Shariat. Such statements are dangerous and divisive.” He also launched a scathing attack on the ruling JMM-Congress alliance, accusing it of remaining silent on the issue.
Taking a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Ojha said, “Will Rahul Gandhi, who often speaks about saving the Constitution, remain a mute spectator? Or will he have the courage to withdraw support from the JMM-led government over such an anti-constitutional remark?”
The BJP has urged all party workers and citizens to assemble in large numbers on April 21 at 10 am in Sakchi to join the protest march in defense of the Constitution.
Several prominent BJP leaders participated in the planning meeting, including: District Vice Presidents Sanjeev Sinha, Babua Singh, Renu Sharma, District General Secretaries, Anil Modi and Sanjeev Singh, District secretary Vijay Tiwari, Treasurer Krishna Sharma Kali, IT Coordinator Binod Singh, BJYM President Nitish Kushwaha, OBC Morcha President Sagar Rai, Mahila Morcha President Neelu Machhua, Minority Morcha President Manjeet Singh, SC Morcha President Paresh Mukhi and ST Morcha President Ramesh Baske.
The BJP emphasized that the protest is not just political but is meant to defend the secular and constitutional ethos of the nation.