Hundreds of tribal protesters burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Hemant Soren at Parasnath Hills in Jharkhand on Tuesday, demanding the hills be declared a pilgrimage centre for tribal communities as has been done for Jains.

The rally, some of whose leaders have BJP connections, creates complications for the chief minister just after he had faced Jain protests over a state government plan to develop tourism in the hills, considered sacred by the community.

The rally was led by Parasnath Bachao Sangharsh Samity convener Sikander Hembrom (a distant relative of state BJPpresident Babulal Marandi), former Odisha MP Salkhan Murmu of the BJP, and the JMM’s Borio MLA Lobin Hembrom, who has openly differed with Soren on various issues.

The protesters demanded a revocation of the ban on activities like animal sacrifice — part of tribal religious practices — that is now enforced in deference to Jain sentiments in most parts of the Parasnath Hills, except for a spot considered sacred by tribals. The protesters contended that the entire mountain range is their Marang Buru (Mountain God).

The protests had begun since a January 5 central government notification asked the state government to stay all tourism activities on the Parasnath Hills — as demanded by the Jains — and continue to enforce the existing ban on the sale of liquor, intoxicants and non-vegetarian food in the area.

Soren had earlier blamed the controversy on a 2019 central notification that preceded his tenure. The notification had declared the area an eco-sensitive zone and a tourist spot, and asked the Centre to withdraw it.

Murmu, the BJP parliamentarian from Odisha, asked why neither government had thought of designating the hills as a pilgrimage spot for tribals, saying: “The hills are for Santhal tribals what the Ayodhya Ram temple is for Hindus, the Vatican is for Christians and Mecca is for Muslims.”

Lobin Hembrom said there would be a daylong fast at Birsa Munda’s birthplace Ulihatu in Khunti district on January 30 if the demand was not met by January 25. Another protest will be held at Boghnadih, Sahebganj, in February.

Giridih deputy commissioner Naman Priyesh Lakra,who could not be contacted on Tuesday, had in a video statement on Sunday said a core committee of officials had been formed under the SDO to resolve any dispute over the Parasnath Hills.

“We held a meeting (on Sunday) between Jain community leaders and local tribal leaders, village panchayat representatives and the local MLA to resolve the dispute,” Lakra said in the video.

“It was agreed that there was no dispute over ownership of the hills but it was a matter of agreeing to continue with the worship rituals of tribals and Jains.

“Both groups agreed to continue the worship rituals as had been continuing for several decades respecting each other’s religious sentiments.”