Former Jamshedpur MP Salkhan Murmu under house arrest amidst Sarna agitation

Jamshedpur: In a significant development, former MP and president of Aadivasi Sengal Abhiyan, Salkhan Murmu, has been placed under house arrest in anticipation of the organization’s agitation advocating the recognition of Sarna as a religion. The Abhiyan, a tribal rights group, has been persistently urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare the Sarna religion code for the past couple of years.

The agitation took a serious turn as some members of Aadivasi Sengal Abhiyan threatened self-immolation during Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to Ranchi. Three members specifically vowed to take this drastic step in Jamshedpur if the demand for recognizing Sarna as a religion was not met during the Prime Minister’s visit to the state capital in the past 24 hours.

Adding to the intensity, activists of Aadivasi Sengal Abhiyan staged a blockade on the Tata-Hata road at Karandih on Tuesday evening, causing significant disruptions to vehicular traffic for hours. In response, the police took three members, including a woman, into custody to prevent them from carrying out the extreme act of self-immolation.

Following the line of action against Salkhan Murmu, the police have cordoned off his residence in Kadma since Wednesday morning. The house arrest includes stringent measures, with no one permitted to enter or exit the premises. The police presence, including female officers, is indicative of the seriousness with which the situation is being handled.

The house arrest of Salkhan Murmu highlights the escalating tension surrounding the demand for Sarna religion recognition, emphasizing the need for a measured and strategic approach to address the concerns of Aadivasi Sengal Abhiyan and ensure the safety and well-being of all involved parties.