'If I Stay In 5-Star Hotel, Drive BMW...': Hemant Soren's Adivasi Caste Charge In Jharkhand Assembly

Soren's remarks were seen as a response to media comments implying that Hemant Soren's jail stay would resemble life in the jungle as an Adivasi two decades ago, drawing criticism from JMM.

Fomer Jharkhand chief minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren speaks during a special session of the Jharkhand assembly convened by the Champai Soren government to seek trust vote.

Source : PTI Images

Jailed Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren, in a speech before the Assembly's majority test, said that he would not shed tears, stating the tears of tribals and backward sections do not matter. Facing money laundering allegations, Soren resigned as Chief Minister on January 31, subsequently being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate. Champai Soren, his close aide, has assumed the role of Chief Minister with the support of MLAs from JMM, Congress, and other allies, winning the majority test in the Assembly.

Addressing the Assembly, Hemant Soren asserted that Champai Soren has the full backing of the JMM-led alliance. He targeted the BJP-led central government over his arrest, referring to the night of January 31 as a "dark chapter" in the country's democracy. Alleging the involvement of the Governor's office in events leading to his arrest, Soren claimed a long-standing conspiracy, executed in a well-planned manner.

Invoking Dalit icon BR Ambedkar, Soren highlighted atrocities against backward sections, citing the events on January 31 as another example. He questioned the ruling dispensation's apparent hatred towards these communities. Expressing confusion about the source of this hatred, Soren addressed comments suggesting that he must live in the jungle, stating, "They have a problem that I travel on planes, they have a problem that I stay in five-star hotels, ride in a BMW". 

These remarks were seen as a response to media comments implying that Hemant Soren's jail stay would resemble "life in the jungle as an Adivasi two decades ago", drawing criticism from JMM and other tribal outfits.

Refusing to accept defeat, Soren highlighted the state's history of tribal and Dalit sacrifices. He claimed that central agencies target tribals and innocents, daring the BJP to prove ownership of the 8.5-acre plot central to the case against him.

Soren challenged the BJP to show proof of the plot's registration in his name, stating, "If they can show that, I will quit politics." Asserting that he will not cry as the tears of tribals do not matter, he vowed to respond to every conspiracy at the right time.

READ | Hemant Soren Says 'Aansu Nahi Bahaunga', Claims Guv Involved In Arrest Ahead Of Trust Vote

Targeting BJP leaders from Jharkhand, Soren questioned their allegiance to a "feudal mindset". He highlighted the longevity of different parties in power in Jharkhand and accused corruption of starting in 2019. Soren concluded by stating that hurdles will be created to prevent him from completing his five-year term, expressing the BJP's reluctance to see tribals rise in leadership roles.