Ranchi: Babulal Marandi, Jharkhand’s Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister, has appealed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding what he describes as widespread Bangladeshi infiltration in the Santhal Pargana region. Marandi warns that this influx poses a serious threat to internal security, tribal land rights, and the region’s demographic makeup.
In a three-page letter dated August 31, 2026, Marandi urged the Centre to launch a special verification drive in the border districts of Santhal Pargana. The objective would be to identify suspected illegal foreign nationals, house those found to be residing illegally in designated detention facilities, and initiate deportation proceedings in accordance with the law.
Marandi specifically highlighted areas such as Pakur, Rajmahal, Littipara, and Maheshpur, among several other Assembly constituencies, alleging that these regions have undergone significant demographic changes over the years. He also raised concerns about the illegal occupation of government, grazing, and tribal land, the use of forged documents, and alleged political and administrative support for illegal immigrants.
Marandi Flags Demographic Changes
In his letter, Marandi stated that his recent visit to various parts of Santhal Pargana revealed a “rapidly deteriorating internal security situation” and an “extremely worrying” demographic transformation.
He said that a large number of Bangladeshi nationals are illegally residing in different parts of the region. To support his argument, he cited official voter data from 2019 to 2024, which he said indicates significant variations in the growth of voters across different categories. Marandi used these figures to bolster his contention that the population composition of several constituencies is changing rapidly.
Voter Growth Figures Cited in Letter
Marandi provided constituency-wise figures to the Union Home Minister. According to his data, the Pakur Assembly constituency recorded a 24 per cent increase in its total number of voters between 2019 and 2024. He noted that the increase among a particular category of voters was 40.9 per cent, compared with 11.4 per cent among other voters.
For Littipara, Marandi cited an overall voter increase of 10.6 per cent and a 35.5 per cent increase within the particular category. In Maheshpur, he reported an overall increase of 13.1 per cent, with a 24.7 per cent increase in the specified category, compared with 9.4 per cent among other voters. The letter also cited figures for several other constituencies.
In Jarmundi, Marandi stated that the total number of voters increased by 23.6 per cent, while the corresponding increase for the specified category was 32.1 per cent and 22.7 per cent for other voters.
For Madhupur, he cited a 21.9 per cent overall increase, with 31.5 per cent growth in the specified category and 17.6 per cent among other voters.
In Barhait, the overall voter increase was 18.4 per cent, while the corresponding figures were 40.3 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively. For Rajmahal, Marandi cited a total increase of 21.3 per cent, compared with 25.9 per cent for the specified category and 17.6 per cent for other voters. Similarly, in Jamtara, he cited an overall voter increase of 20.7 per cent, with 25.7 per cent growth among the specified category and 18.7 per cent among other voters. In Sarath, the total voter base reportedly increased by 19.8 per cent, while the corresponding figures were 24.2 per cent and 18.3 per cent.
For Nala, Marandi cited an overall increase of 12.2 per cent, compared with 40.3 per cent growth in the specified category and 10 per cent among other voters. In Poreyahat, the overall voter increase was 17.5 per cent, while the specified category reportedly grew by 34.3 per cent and other voters by 15.5 per cent. For Mahagama, he cited a 16.2 per cent overall increase, with 25.4 per cent growth in the specified category and 12 per cent among other voters.
The letter further stated that Dumka recorded an overall voter increase of 6.5 per cent, while the specified category grew by 33.2 per cent and other voters by 3.7 per cent. For Godda, Marandi cited an overall increase of 12.8 per cent, with 24.1 per cent growth in the specified category and 9.6 per cent among other voters.
Tribal Population Decline Also Highlighted
Marandi highlighted population trends in Pakur and Sahibganj, comparing data from the 2001 and 2011 Censuses. He noted a significant increase in the Muslim population’s proportion in these areas, coupled with a decline in the relative share of the indigenous and tribal populations. The former Chief Minister presented these trends as evidence of a broader demographic transformation in Santhal Pargana. He argued that this issue extends beyond electoral politics, impacting tribal land rights, social stability, and national security.
Allegations of Tribal and Government Land Encroachment
Marandi alleged violations of the Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Act, claiming the systematic encroachment of government land, grazing land, and ancestral land belonging to economically weaker tribal families. He further alleged that forged genealogical records, fake Aadhaar cards, and invalid birth certificates were being used in some cases to establish fraudulent claims over land and residence. He called for a systematic investigation into these cases and sought technical verification of land and revenue records. These allegations, however, would require independent investigation and validation through due legal and administrative processes.
Verification Through Old Land Records Proposed
Marandi has proposed using older land and revenue records as part of the verification process.
He urged the Centre to supervise a special campaign across the border districts of Santhal Pargana, suggesting that 2003-04-era ‘khatiyan’ and land records be used for technical verification of genealogical and land-related claims.
According to Marandi, comparing historical revenue records with present-day documentation could help authorities identify discrepancies, suspected forged documents, and questionable land transactions.
He has called for the verification exercise to involve appropriate government agencies and follow established legal procedures.
Demand for a Detention Centre
One of Marandi’s key demands is the establishment of a dedicated and adequately equipped detention centre in the Santhal Pargana division. He argued that individuals found, after due verification, to be illegal foreign nationals should be housed in appropriate facilities while the legal process relating to their status and deportation is completed. This demand comes against the backdrop of his broader call for a coordinated identification and verification exercise in the region.
Special Revision of Electoral Rolls Sought
Marandi has also called for a comprehensive scrutiny of electoral rolls in Santhal Pargana through the Election Commission of India. He alleged that some individuals may have secured inclusion in electoral rolls using forged or questionable documents and demanded that such cases be identified through verification.
He stated that names found to have been included in violation of electoral eligibility rules should be removed in accordance with the law. Marandi maintained that maintaining the integrity of electoral rolls was essential to ensuring a credible democratic process. At the same time, electoral-roll verification would have to be conducted under the Election Commission’s established procedures, with eligible voters being provided the safeguards available under law.
Allegations of Political and Administrative Patronage
Marandi also made allegations of political protection and administrative collusion. In his letter, he claimed that a section of the ruling political establishment and local administration was providing protection to illegal immigrants to secure a “vote bank.” He further alleged that local networks were helping some individuals obtain forged documents and assuring them protection from any investigation or deportation drive initiated by the Centre.
Marandi demanded that agencies investigate the alleged network involved in preparing forged documents and identify those responsible for facilitating or protecting such activities.
Demand for Central Investigation
The BJP leader has sought a coordinated investigation by central agencies into the document-forging network and the wider claims of illegal immigration. He demanded strict action against those found responsible under applicable laws, including officials, intermediaries, or other individuals found to have facilitated illegal activities. Marandi argued that the issue required national attention due to its implications for border security, demographic stability, and the rights of tribal communities.
‘Serious Threat to Tribal Identity’, Says Marandi
In his concluding appeal, Marandi described the alleged infiltration as a serious challenge to the identity and future of the tribal communities of Santhal Pargana. He warned that if alleged illegal immigration, land encroachment, and political or administrative collusion were not addressed immediately, the region could face further demographic and social changes. He urged Amit Shah to take “swift and decisive” action in the interest of national security and the protection of tribal communities.
