Singhbhum Chamber Leader Demands Public Apology From Chief Minister
Key Points:
- Sunny Sanghi criticises Soren’s assembly remarks on traders
- CM had called traders “bundle-holders” who “buy democracy”
- Sanghi demands public apology and legal action only against wrongdoers
JAMSHEDPUR – Sunny Sanghi, an executive committee member of the Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on Tuesday strongly condemned remarks made by Hemant Soren against the trading community inside the Jharkhand assembly.
The chief minister had reportedly referred to the entire trading class as people who keep “bundles of notes” and “buy democracy.” Sanghi called the statement highly unfortunate and objectionable, coming as it did from the floor of the assembly.
He said such remarks amount to an insult to the business community as a whole. Besides that, he argued, the comments could damage the state’s investment and trading climate at a time when the government is seeking industrial growth.
Sanghi maintained that traders form the backbone of the state’s economy. He pointed out that businesses contribute significantly to government revenue through taxes and provide employment to lakhs of people across Jharkhand.
He also noted that the trading community had consistently supported the public during periods of crisis, including natural disasters. Painting the entire community as suspect, he said, was not a fair or reasonable approach.
The Singhbhum Chamber leader demanded that if the government held proof of corruption against any specific individual, action should be taken strictly under the law. However, he said, using such cases to malign the entire trading class was wrong.
Sanghi called on the chief minister to publicly apologise to traders for the remarks and to assure that similar language would not be used in future assembly proceedings. Meanwhile, the chamber is expected to raise the issue formally in its upcoming meetings, according to members familiar with the matter.
Business bodies in Jamshedpur, including the Singhbhum Chamber, have in the past engaged with the administration on trade-related concerns, including a dialogue on city issues with police officials. The chamber has also held discussions with institutions such as Tata Main Hospital on civic matters affecting the trading community.
The chief minister’s remarks came during ongoing proceedings of the assembly, where members have in recent months debated several contentious issues, including a supplementary budget passed amid protests. On the other hand, the state government has not yet issued an official response to the chamber’s demand for an apology.
