JMM suspends Sarna code agitation

The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Thursday decided to suspend its statewide protest seeking the inclusion of a separate religious code for the Scheduled Tribes in the upcoming census in the wake of rising tensions between India and Pakistan.

- Raj Kumar

RANCHI:

Addressing reporters, JMM general secretary Vinod Pandey said the Sarna Adivasi religious code issue was paramount to the party. However, they are suspending it in solidarity with the Indian Armed Forces. "We are all aware of the situation on the international borders. We stand united with our brave army. The issue of the Sarna code is of primary importance, but we are suspending the demonstration for now," said Pandey.

The JMM had planned to hold a series of protests pressing for their demand and was preparing for a statewide protest on May 9, saying that the party wouldn't "allow" the caste census in the state if the central government did not include a separate religious code for the tribals in the upcoming census.