Ram Navami DJ row sparks protests by BJP legislators in Jharkhand Assembly

Ranchi — Allegations of restrictions on DJ music during Ram Navami processions led to loud protests by members of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, disrupting the ongoing Budget Session.

The protests began shortly after the House convened, with BJP legislators raising slogans against the government and accusing it of meddling in religious customs. Their demonstration created repeated disruptions as the opposition demanded an explanation.

Speaking during the debate, BJP MLA Navin Jaiswal argued that restrictions on DJ music during a major Hindu festival amounted to discrimination and questioned the intent behind the decision. His remarks drew sharp reactions from ruling alliance members, triggering a heated verbal exchange in the Assembly.

Amid the uproar, BJP MLAs gathered in the well of the House and continued their protest, forcing interruptions in the proceedings.

Countering the opposition’s claims, Congress Legislature Party leader Pradeep Yadav said attempts were being made to communalise the issue and create division in society. He stressed that the administration’s rules applied uniformly and should not be linked to any specific religious group.

Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato urged members to maintain order and respect parliamentary decorum, noting that repeated disruptions were affecting the functioning of the House and delaying discussions on key public matters.

Meanwhile, outside the Assembly complex, BJP MLA Pradip Prasad staged a separate protest over the issue. Highlighting the prominence of Hazaribagh’s Sri Chaitra Ram Navami festivities, he demanded that the state government grant the event official “state festival” status.

Prasad also warned that traditional celebrations would continue irrespective of administrative restrictions and alleged that officials were creating unnecessary hurdles for Ram Navami processions in the district.

With inputs from IANS