Jharkhand Assembly Chaos Halts Proceedings Thrice

The Jharkhand Assembly descended into chaos on Monday as opposition BJP and ruling JMM-Congress MLAs clashed over the alleged police encounter death of tribal leader Surya Hansda and land acquisition for the RIMS-2 hospital project, forcing Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato to adjourn the House three times. The uproar also saw protests against the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill and Bihar’s electoral roll revision, paralyzing proceedings.

As the session began, BJP MLAs, led by Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi, demanded a CBI probe into Hansda’s death, alleging it was a “fake encounter.” Hansda, a former BJP leader who contested four assembly elections, was killed on August 11 in Godda after allegedly attempting to flee custody and firing at police. His family and BJP leaders claim it was a planned murder, with Marandi stating, “Hansda was acquitted in 15 of 24 cases and was on bail for others. He wasn’t declared a criminal by any court.” BJP MLAs stormed the Well of the House, accusing the Hemant Soren government of law-and-order failures.

Meanwhile, JMM and Congress MLAs protested the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which proposes removing ministers detained for 30 days or more, and Bihar’s special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, labeling them as threats to democracy. Both sides’ demonstrations led to the first adjournment until 12:30 PM.

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When the House reconvened, BJP MLAs Raj Sinha and Alok Chourasia moved adjournment motions on Hansda’s death and the RIMS-2 land acquisition in Nagri, Ranchi, alleging forcible takeover of tribal land. The Speaker rejected the motions, suggesting later discussions, but protests persisted. Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore tabled CAG reports amid the chaos, leading to a second adjournment until 2:00 PM.

Post-lunch, during the supplementary budget debate, BJP MLA Satyendra Nath Tiwary compared Hansda to JMM founder Shibu Soren, prompting outrage from the ruling side. JMM’s Hemlal Murmu countered, calling Hansda a criminal linked to multiple murders, including that of a JMM block president. Marandi defended Hansda’s political background, reiterating the CBI probe demand. The Speaker questioned the relevance of these issues to the Rs 4,296.62-crore supplementary budget discussion, but protests continued, leading to a third adjournment at 2:36 PM.

When the House resumed at 3:30 PM, BJP’s Hatia MLA pressed for government responses on Hansda and Nagri, while Congress MLA Rajesh Kachchap accused the BJP of undermining democracy via the 130th Amendment. Amid escalating tensions, BJP members walked out, and the supplementary budget was passed by voice vote.

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has sought a report from Jharkhand Police on Hansda’s death, with tribal groups and BJP leaders alleging a conspiracy to silence a vocal advocate for tribal rights. The RIMS-2 project, aimed at expanding medical infrastructure, remains contentious, with farmers resisting land acquisition since 2012. The day’s disruptions highlight deep political divides, with both sides leveraging emotive issues ahead of upcoming elections.

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