Claims of Political Repression and Custodial Death Raise Concerns
Gandey’s JMM MLA Kalpana Soren has accused the BJP of oppressing her husband, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, in jail.
RANCHI – Kalpana Soren, MLA from Gandey and a member of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), has leveled serious allegations against the BJP, claiming her husband, former Chief Minister Hemant Soren, is facing oppression in jail.
Drawing a parallel with the custodial death of tribal rights activist Father Stan Swamy, Kalpana Murmu Soren suggested that efforts are underway to destabilize Jharkhand similar to the situation in Manipur.
She stated that the recent Lok Sabha elections mark the beginning of a quest for justice for Father Stan Swamy’s death.
Kalpana Murmu Soren emphasized that the custodial death of Father Stan Swamy is a grave injustice, marking a dark chapter in India’s democracy and human rights record.
She expressed that the ongoing suppression of Hemant Soren reflects a broader pattern of targeting opposition and tribal voices under false pretenses.
According to Kalpana, the treatment of Father Stan Swamy, an 84-year-old priest and tribal rights activist, highlights severe lapses in justice and humanity. Despite his old age and Parkinson’s disease, he was denied bail and proper medical treatment on unfounded terrorism charges.
Kalpana further stated that Father Stan’s death in custody on July 5, 2021, due to deteriorating health conditions, exemplifies the BJP’s policy of suppressing opposition and tribal communities under the guise of terrorism and criminalizing human rights work.
She added that the same kind of oppression seen in the case of Father Stan Swamy is now being directed at Hemant Soren. She urged every citizen of Jharkhand to stand firmly in support of Hemant Soren to prevent further injustice.
It is noteworthy that in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, the JMM won three seats, including Dumka, Singhbhum, and Rajmahal.
Kalpana Murmu Soren led the party in the elections, holding numerous public meetings and winning the by-election for the Gandey Assembly seat while Hemant Soren was in jail and Shibu Soren was ill.
A political analyst remarked, "Kalpana Soren’s allegations highlight the ongoing political tensions in Jharkhand and the effort to turn Hemant Soren’s arrest into a big political issue."
