Giridih: In the Giridih district of Jharkhand, a new issue has come to the fore regarding the hills of Parasnath. The tribals have now claimed these hills as their land. They have even warned of agitation to get this land. Tribals gathered in large numbers near Parasnath hills on Tuesday and appealed to the state government and the Center to free the holy place from the 'clutch' of the Jain community. 

According to reports, thousands of tribals from Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha reached the hills in Giridih district on Tuesday with traditional weapons and drums. A member of 'Jharkhand Bachao Morcha' claimed to be an organization of more than 50 bodies and said- 'Marang Buru' (Parasnath) is the birthright of the tribals of Jharkhand and no power in the world can deprive them of this right. 

He further said that a movement would be launched to 'save' the Parasnath hills and in a show of solidarity, thousands of tribals would keep a day-long fast on January 30 at Ulihatu in Khunti district, the birthplace of tribal god Birsa Munda. The tribals had said that if their demands were not met, they would launch a fierce agitation. They said that this is the center of the important faith of the Santhal tribals. The Santhals have been calling this sacred hill Marang Buru for centuries. The Jain community across the country is demanding the postponement of the Jharkhand government's 2019 notification declaring Parasnath hills as a tourist destination. The Jain society anticipates that this will lead to an influx of tourists who can consume non-vegetarian food and alcohol at their holy place. However, the Jharkhand government's move to promote tourism in the Parasnath hills has been put on hold by the Center following protests by Jains.

'I don't have pen drive and CD': Kamal Nath retracts his statement on honeytrap scandal

'After Joshimath, cracks in 50 houses and shops in Karnaprayag,' people in panic

'Not allowing to go inside after invitation...', Ruckus at MP Global Investors Summit