Ranchi, Mar 18 : The Jharkhand assembly on Tuesday witnessed uproar over a clash that took place during a Holi procession in Giridih district, with BJP legislators storming into the well of the House and demanding a special debate on the state’s law and order situation.
Despite repeated requests by Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato to allow the question hour to proceed, BJP MLAs continued to raise slogans against the JMM-led coalition government. Unable to conduct proceedings, the Speaker adjourned the House till noon.
As the House reconvened after the Holi break around 11 a.m., Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi raised concerns over the Giridih clash on March 14, in which several people were injured and many shops and vehicles were torched.
“This is appeasement police politics by the government. The administration was a mute spectator when the incident happened. Now, the police have lodged an FIR against 80 people and arrested 22. A particular community has been targeted in the police action. The case should have been registered against those who created the nuisance,” Marandi alleged.
He further criticized the government, claiming that the state’s law and order situation is in “shambles” and added, “Many festivals such as Ram Navami and Eid will be celebrated soon. We want a special debate on the state’s law and order situation in the House. It is a serious issue.”
Congress MLA Pradip Yadav countered the allegations, accusing the BJP of creating divisions in society along religious lines.
JMM legislator Sudivya Kumar also dismissed Marandi’s claims, stating, “The BJP wants to create a division and disturb the communal harmony.”
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Radha Kishore suggested that the issue could be discussed during the debate on demands for grants for the Home Department, arguing, “Politics should not be done on such issues.”
Following the heated exchanges, the House was adjourned until noon. Though the question hour could not take place properly, other legislative proceedings continued.
