– Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi – Congress accused the BJP of attacking tribal communities through land dispossession, violence, and neglecting constitutional protections.
At his first press briefing in Delhi, Dr. Vikrant Bhuria, Chairman of the All India Adivasi Congress, condemned the BJP for undermining tribal rights. He demanded Gondi language be added to the Eighth Schedule and called for restoring World Indigenous Day (August 9) as a public holiday, which BJP governments removed.
Dr. Bhuria criticized the BJP-RSS for labeling tribals as “Vanvasi” instead of “Adivasi” to erase their identity. “We are original inhabitants, not just forest dwellers,” he asserted.
He accused the BJP of weakening the PESA Act. “PESA empowers tribals, but BJP diluted it. Land is taken without Gram Sabha consent, and mining destroys our forests,” he said.
Dr. Bhuria condemned the privatization of 40% of Madhya Pradesh’s forests. In Hasdeo forests (Chhattisgarh), over one lakh trees were felled, with three lakh more set for cutting, benefiting corporations. 60% of prisoners in Madhya Pradesh’s jails are tribals, he added.
Highlighting atrocities, he cited the Sidhi urination case, Neemuch dragging case, and Nemawar massacre. He questioned BJP’s silence on land grabs and police brutality in Madhya Pradesh.
Dr. Bhuria urged the government to respect tribal autonomy, implement the Forest Rights Act, stop forced land grabs, and ensure justice. “If our rights are trampled, we will intensify our struggle. This is about our identity, land, and dignity,” he declared.
