The Bharatiya Janata Party government in Jharkhand said on Tuesday that a two-member team is conducting an inquiry into the kissing contest organised during an annual fair last week, the Hindustan Times reported.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha legislator Simon Marandi said he organised the contest on Saturday to “promote love and modernity” and reduce divorces in the tribal community.
“We have begun a probe into the controversy surrounding the kissing contest on orders from the district administration,” Pakur Sub-divisional Magistrate Jitendra Kumar Deo told Hindustan Times. Deo said the event was a case of indecent behaviour in a public place, which is a violation of the Indian Penal Code.
Deo and Deputy Superintendent of Police Navnit Hembrom visited the village on Monday where the fair was organised. Deo said they will talk to the organisers and the couples who took part in the event.
Earlier, the BJP asked the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha to apologise to the tribal community, and accused Christian leaders of the group of destroying the tribal culture.
“It’s a serious issue and these leaders should immediately seek a public apology from respective tribal village heads,” BJP’s senior tribal leader Hemlal Murmu told the Hindustan Times, alleging that the JMM’s Christian legislators were trying to “destroy Santhal’s rich tribal culture and customs by introducing the western culture”.
“In Santhal traditions, the girl and boy do not even shake hands,” he told The Indian Express. “Kissing is something way too far. Santhal tradition never had such a thing.”
Murmu said the BJP will continue to protest against JMM legislators and demanded that Marandi not be allowed to attend the state’s Assembly session this month.
“It is ridiculous that such a contest with a prize money worth Rs 900, Rs 700 and Rs 500 for first, second and third position will restrict growing cases of divorce and differences in Santhal tribal community,” he said.
Marandi responded to the BJP’s comments saying the party did not “know the realities of the village”. “Do they even visit one?” he asked.
Marandi had won against Murmu in the bye-elections in April.
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