Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
The Ranchi District Congress Committee and Ranchi Mahanagar Congress Committee jointly organised a one-day sit-in protest on Thursday, demanding an impartial inquiry into alleged irregularities and lack of transparency in donations collected in connection with the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya and opposing the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 (MMDR Amendment).
The protest was organised under the joint leadership of Ranchi District Congress president Somnath Munda and Ranchi Mahanagar Congress president Dr Kumar Raja. Senior Congress leaders, legislators and party functionaries participated in the demonstration and raised questions over the policies of the Central government, calling for greater transparency, accountability and protection of states’ constitutional and financial rights.
Addressing the gathering, Jharkhand Pradesh Congress president Keshav Mahato Kamlesh said the party had consistently fought for democratic values, transparency and constitutional rights. He said that if there were allegations of irregularities in donations linked to the faith of devotees, they should be investigated impartially.
Former Union minister Subodh Kant Sahay said natural resources belonged not only to governments but also to the states and their people. He said Jharkhand had borne the adverse consequences of mining for decades and therefore its mineral revenues and financial autonomy must be protected.
AICC secretary Pranav Jha said the Congress’ struggle was aimed at protecting the Constitution, democracy and the rights of states. He said Jharkhand’s mineral resources were an invaluable asset of the people and the state’s interests should receive priority in revenue generated from them.
Congress Legislature Party deputy leader Rajesh Kachhap said any attempt to curtail the rights of states through the MMDR amendment would be opposed democratically.
Other leaders, including Bandhu Tirkey, Ajay Nath Sahdev, Rajesh Sinha and Dayamani Barla, addressed the gathering and reiterated the party’s demands.
At the conclusion of the protest, Congress leaders submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India through the Ranchi Deputy Commissioner, seeking necessary constitutional intervention on both issues.
A large number of Congress workers and supporters participated in the demonstration.
