BJP seeks action after Jharkhand police sought caste-wise voter data

A DAY after The Indian Express reported that the Jharkhand Police's Special Branch demanded from its Deputy Superintendents of Police of all 24 districts to provide “caste wise number and percentage of the voters” in the light of Lok Sabha elections 2024, state BJP submitted a letter to the State Election Commission Monday stating that there is “no such law” made by the state government or any orders from the central government seeking an investigation to “expose the intent behind the letter”.

The Indian Express had reported on April 15 about a letter sent on April 3 asking for the data when the Model Code of Conduct is in force. The state’s CEO had said that seeking castewise details is a violation of MCC and “strict action” will be taken.

In its letter, the BJP stated: “In Jharkhand no such law has been made by the state government for a district-wise caste census before Lok Sabha 2024 elections. There has been no order from the Central government as well. If that letter is true then somebody is trying to take big political gain from this. This not only has to be stopped but it is also necessary to expose the intention behind issuing this letter.” The state BJP asked for a “strict action against the culprits”.

The letter sent on April 3 demanded that the “instructions” be followed and produce the desired return letter in the next two days to the email address electioncellsb@jhpolice.gov.in in an “MS word file format” within two days of receiving the letter. “Consider it very important,” the letter said.

The letter said: “Agami Lok Sabha ke aalok mein sansadiya loksabha chetra ki vartamaan bhaugolik sthithi awem rajnaitik paridrishya (vristit) tatha matdataon ka jilawaar jaatigat sankhya awem pratishat ki avashyakta hai (In the light of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024, there is a need for the current geographical position and political scenario (detailed) of the parliamentary constituency and the district wise caste number and percentage of voters).”

Special Branch IG Prabhat Kumar had told The Indian Express that it has been a practice in Jharkhand where a booklet is prepared on the upcoming elections, which is confidential in nature, and is circulated to only three to four top officers in the state.