Kissing Contest in Jharkhand Village Fair Kicks Up Storm

Amlendu Bhushan Khan / Ranchi : A unique competition had organised in the Tribal state Jhakhand. Three tribal couples were awarded as part of the competition. But the contest storm in the state.   Several organisation including the BJP’s Kissan Morcha, United Adivasi Forum and All Adivasi Youth and Student Union today burnt the effigy of JMM MLAs’ Stephen Marandi and Simon Marandi over the kiss competition organised in Dumariya village of Littipara block of this district.
According to Marandi, it was an initiative to rectify the increasing cases of divorce and differences between couples in the tribal community.
“Santhals have been projected as backward since ages, and this is just a display of the tribal spirit publically”, said Marandi. ”
“Earlier, the village competition was organised in a smaller space but this year it was held in a football ground where thousands of people from other villagers also took part”, Marandi added.
JMM legislator and senior leader of the party Stephen Marandi was present at the competition. “To make them aware of our social structure and responsibility towards the family, the idea of a kissing competition was conceived”, he said.
He organised a “kissing competition” for tribal people, which drew strong criticism from different sections.
The ruling BJP has sharply reacted to the event. The competition will help to improve relationship between husband and wife. While interacting with the media, Jharkhand BJP vice president, Hemlal Murmu said the event was organized on the direction of the church and Christian missionaries. He said that many events such as tribal dance, archery and running competitions are organised for the entertainment of the villagers. People involved in organising and participating in the contest may be charged for indecent behaviour in public place, which is a bailable offence under CrPC.
“It was a well-hatched conspiracy of JMM leaders to malign the tribal culture and custom by introducing western concepts”, Murmu said.