How Concerned Are National Parties on Land, Forest Rights for Adivasis? [Video]

Sabrang India takes a closer look at some of the regions where tribal communities have been rallying for their rights and examines if the electoral campaign raised these issues. Hindutva, which remains BJP’s core ideology, has alienated Adivasi (tribal/indigenous peoples’) communities as it seeks to bulldoze their unique identity and histories. An aspect which is their core symbol and provides for their voter base could very well have them lose India’s indigenous tribes as voters.

An example of this is seen from Maharashtra where Janjati Suraksha Manch, a group backed by the BJP’s ideological parents, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) raised alarm after it demanded delisting religious converts from being recognisedas scheduled tribes. Even Adivasi leaders from within BJP were alarmed at the demand, according to the report by Hindustan Times, and expressed fear that such demands and assertions would make the BJP lose vote in the upcoming elections. Similarly, …