Why the Tribals Are Up in Arms?

The tribal people whom we also call as adivasis are in the news almost with unfailing regularity in recent months. They are angry and frustrated at their lot in free India. They have been deceived by the politicians and political parties of every colour and description since Independence and the funds which were allocated for their well-being and development have been gobbled up by the vested interests in an unholy alliance with local administration and corrupt local politicians. Innumberable elections were fought and won in their names, false promises made and they have been at the receiving end of it and helplessly watched things getting worser worser.

Ironically the tribal people are the most original inhabitants of the land. They constitute almost 8% of our population. As the civilization progressed people started moving from these into other areas which grew to be town and cities. But the adivasis stayed back with their primitive ways but retaining their distinctive life style which was characterised by few demands, simplicity and honesty. In the forests areas where they have hearth and home provided their much needed sustenance for their life. As they are not like their so called civilized brethren they drew as much as they needed for Mother Nature and worked hard to protect these forests and for regeneration. What is most unfortunate is the treatment meted out to them by our own rulers since Independence has hardly been dissimilar from that of our British masters. They were branded as barbaric and dangerous criminals. In fact, a law was enacted during British Raj to this effect.

Today these are areas have been turned into killing fields and have been witnessing extremist violence of a scale and ferocity which was not seen before. The Maoist have spread their influence on these adivasis taking advantage of large scale deprivation and exploitation. While the government is looking upon it as a law order issue , the solution to this problem is proving ever elusive. Unless the government does some soul-searching on this issue, makes some sincere effort to win back the hearts of these people and goes to the root of this human tragedy the problem is likely to turn into a civil war.