Table of Contents
ISSUE
- The states of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh fail to give the needed attention to the communities despite significant adivasi population.
- Adivasis in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are doing poorly, economically and educationally.
Who are Adivasis?
- ‘Adivasis’ are India’s indigenous tribal communities. They constitute about 8 % of the population of India (over 84 million people) and have origins that pre-date the Hindu majority. However, because they are outside of the caste system.
Concern?
- Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are among the four Indian states (other than North-eastern states) with more than 20% Adivasi population.
- Chhattisgarh, in fact, has an Adivasi population of more than 30%.
- However, the Scheduled Tribes (STs) have hardly found a mention in the election campaigns in the two states.
- The Adivasis seem to be the main losers in “New India”.
Adivasis’ present condition?
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- In both states, the Adivasis lag behind other social groups and are losing ground, economically and educationally.
- Income
- Education
- Economy
- Political representation
- Vulnerability
Other states?
- South Indian states
Forest rights conditions?
- The Forest Rights Act (FRA), that provides legal rights to Adivasis over their forestlands, has not been fully implemented.
- Given their proportion, social justice and inclusiveness concerns, it is fair that the governments take note of Adivasi development and empowerment seriously.
Solution?
- The most important of these is to provide good government in the worst of law and order environments.
- A better civil administration structure must come up in place of the one present. This means the best officers drawn from across the country.
- Perhaps it is time to constitute a new All India Service.
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