The four-day long Monsoon Session of the Assembly beginning on Tuesday would in all likelihood be a story just like the previous three Sessions resulting into a complete washout. The united Opposition did not hint otherwise.
Ahead of the start, the parties huddled together officially and unofficially to decide their course of action pointed towards pushing the Government further on back foot.
“The Government has brought the anti-religious conversion Bill just to divert attention from the jolt it received on the CNT-SPT amendments. There is no basis of bringing the Bill just like the tenancy Bills. Can the Government furnish any data how many complaints have come up about forceful conversions or how many tribals have converted into other religions in the last 16 yearsIJ They are just trying to polarise the people on religious counts since no work is seen on the ground in last two and half years,” said JVM supremo Babulal Marandi accompanied by leaders from Congress and the left parties on Monday.
He went on adding that there are issues apart from the religious conversion on which the Government would have to feel the head into the House. “All parties are united in opposing the policies and actions of the Government. First, they brought the CNT-SPT amendment and now after getting snubbed by the people, are gradually withdrawing it. Farmers are committing suicides and their lands are being grabbed. Intentions of the Government are very clear and we would oppose this inside and outside the Assembly,” added Marandi.
The Congress has already planned to stage massive dharna outside the House on August 9 demanding complete roll-back of the tenancy amendment laws. Party newly appointed in-charge RPN Singh and other AICC leaders are coming to attend the protest. It is likely that the Bills passed during the Winter Session in 2016 would be placed for selective corrections since the TAC has rejected almost all of its major provisions barring one.
“We would not allow any amendment in the CNT-SPT Acts. The Acts are like shield to the tribal community. The Government should recall the entire amendment Bills. Also, the party would oppose the Bill slapping stringent conditions for any kind of religious activities. It seems that the Government wants to convert Jharkhand into a police state,” said Jharkhand Congress president Sukhdeo Bhagat.
The Opposition is at the moment feeling vindicated as after about one year of protest it forced the Government to drag its feet over the tenancy law changes. “We have won due to our resolve and the Government is clearly on the back foot. They have been acting out of arrogance and now realised the truth. The party would push them further,” said JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya.
On the other, the ruling BJP is feeling a bit down over the ‘embarrassment’ it had to face but the anti-religious conversion Bill has brought them together once again.
“There was a feeling inside the party, especially among tribal members, against the CNT-SPT amendments due to the sentiments prevail among tribals. But we welcome the decision to bring the law against forceful religious conversions which is rampant in the rural pockets. BJP legislative body is meeting on Tuesday evening at the residence of the Chief Minister to decide how to take the Bill through,” said BJP legislator Shiv Shankar Oraon.
First day of the Monsoon Session would transact no business while during the rest four working days questions relating to different departments would be placed. However, no CM’s Question Hour is scheduled for which Mondays have been designed.