Col Satish Singh Lalotra
‘Ultimately, we actually all belong to only one tribe, to earthlings’. —Jill Tarter.
The world of ours has increasingly turned shrill, vocal and more visible in terms of highlighting issues that were long consigned to the man’s sub-conscious realm often riding high on the waves of expediencies of situations or suiting the majority opinion. No longer comfortable in furthering the cause of the majority, it was a fait- accompli for the ‘indigenous’ or ‘ancient inhabitants’ (read tribal population) of this planet of ours to play along the former’s tunes without any murmur of protest. Could It be an abject lack of knowledge cum empowerment of their rights, a lackadaisical approach to their welfare by the ruling majority or simple indifference much less the exploitation by the more knowledgeable of them that has now off late given rise to a tsunami of programmes as well as mainstreaming them in the national milieus all over the world? Well, it could be a combination of all factors enumerated above that the world bodies have now sat up with an alarming sense of maintaining equanimity in treatment of all the ranks of people irrespective of their origins on this earth. It fell on the shoulders of the greatest world body -UN to ‘bite the bullet’ in December 1994 by way of a UNGA resolution that took the onerous responsibility of embracing a goal to perceive and recognize the ‘Global day of the world’s tribal people.’ The main aim of this ‘World tribal day’ which has been now celebrated year on year since 1994 on 09 August is to raise awareness and safeguard the rights of the ‘Indigenous (tribal) populations globally. Almost all the continents have sordid tales of utter subjugation of this ancient or tribal population which served as a catalyst for them to unshackle their bonds and seek freedom and justice from the majority. The biggest of them was the ‘American -Indian wars’ also known as ‘American frontier wars’ and the ‘Indian wars’ fought initially by the European colonial powers, USA and briefly the ‘Confederate states of America and republic of Texas against various American Indian tribes in North America.
We in India have one of the biggest concentrations of tribal population this side of Suez Canal with almost all states and union territories having a fair amount of sprinkling of these aborigines of our sub-continent. But unlike the American continent, Indian tribal population was on an even keel with their majority counterparts in their day to day living. Indian history is replete with examples where in the ‘Bhil’ tribe of Rajasthan was part and parcel of the ruling administration of the royal ‘Mewar house’ and the ‘Sword arm’ of Maharana Pratap singh forming the van guard during the world famous battles of Haldighati and Dewair that drove the final nail in the coffin of Mughal empire in Rajasthan. The very fact that the royal insignia of ‘Mewar house’ sports the royal Mewar shield flanked on either side by a sword bearing Rajput and that of a Bhil warrior in his traditional dress with a bow and arrow with words to the effect-‘ One who bears Dharma steadfastly , is protected by the divine’ shows the level of Bhil and Rajput involvement in safeguarding the royal tenants of Mewar that ran into a thousand years beginning from Bappa Rawal and rising to its crescendo during the reign of Maharana Pratap. Be that as it may, the very fact that the current first citizen of India and President Draupdi Murmu is herself a tribal lady from the remote state of Orissa espouses India’s democratic traditions which further embellishes our position in the comity of world democracies. But is that enough on the front of tribal empowerment and taking this section of our society to the next higher level? It doesn’t seem so. Had it been so hunky dory then India wouldn’t have had the problem of Maoists in the tribal belts of Bastar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, WB and Orissa which are populated by the tribal people hanging like an albatross around its neck that now seems like a Gordian knot. Shall leave that to discuss later on in this write up.
As for the semantics of this venerated day that has been exalted in the world eyes backed on the support of a signature theme , this year of 2024 says it all -‘Protecting the rights of indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation and initial contact’ . As per the latest estimates of tribal population of India there are about 10.4 crores or 8.6% of total Indian population that belongs to this category distributed amongst 730 scheduled tribes notified under article 342 of the constitution of India. I will try to restrict myself in this article to a large extent taking India and Jammu & Kashmir as template to advance my arguments as to why the cup of so called ‘ World Tribal Day’ looks half empty through the eyes of an Indian tribal .Though ‘National tribal festival’ of India also called as the ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ was celebrated from 10 th Feb to 18 th of Feb 2024 with lots of pomp and show in the heart of the capital city of Delhi at Major Dhyan Chand national museum showcasing commitment to empowering tribal communities through celebration of the spirit of tribal entrepreneurship , crafts , culture, cuisine and commerce , does the major chunk of tribal population of India have the wherewithal to partake in these festivities? The highlights of this year included launching of the venture capital funds for scheduled tribes aiming to nurture startup culture and economic innovation among tribal entrepreneurs. The event also served as a hub for networking and collaboration as for the very first time a B2B work shop attracting reps from prominent industry bodies was held on 13 February 2024. It witnessed the active participation of industry stalwarts like CII (Confederation of Indian industry) , ASSOCHAM (Associated chambers of commerce and industry of India) , IFCA( Indian federation of culinary associations) with more than 35 industry leaders and startups like ITC, Patanjali, Sagar Ratna, Zomato, Blinkit, Ship rocket etc.
All the above data, activities, and workshops with regard to the tribal people look very much alluring in the typical set up of the national capital Delhi. But scratch a little beneath in a typical tribal population dominated erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir and out tumbles unfinished promises, datelines, agendas etc that have all the composition of making the celebration of this year’s ‘World Tribal Day-2024’ a damp squib. In fact this year’s theme of ‘World Tribal Day-2024’ belies the essence of the theme when contextualized by keeping the example of J&K in front of us. The erstwhile state has indigenous groups like Gujjars, Bakerwals, Gaddis & Sippis who have lived in harmony with nature for generations. These tribals constitute about 15 lakh of the total population translating to a whopping 12% of the UT Popuation. In addition it has 12 scheduled tribes viz; Balti, Beda, Boto, Bropka, Dardic, Shina, Changpa, Garra, Mon, Purigpa to name a few. Despite their resilience, these tribes of J&K face the threat of losing their traditional habitats. Rapid urbanization, infrastructure development and environmental changes contribute to the shrinking of the grazing lands, deforestation and encroachment of their territories. As a result of these, indigenous communities find themselves displaced grappling with the challenges of preserving their age-old customs and maintaining a symbiotic relationship with nature. Since the indigenous people are deeply rooted to the earth for their very survival, their association with nature becomes the proverbial ‘Sine quo non’ which entails integration of their livestock too without any compunctions. Even bigger than this problem staring them squarely in their faces is the need to strike a delicate balance between their livelihood and conservation. It has become one of the biggest bug-bear for these indigenous people, since the diminishing habitats have a direct consequence on their means of sustenance. Have any efforts been undertaken to find sustainable solutions that allow these communities to maintain their way of life while preservation of the environment? Has the ‘world tribal day’ in the past since 1994 been of any help in safeguarding the well-being of both the environment and the communities that depend on it in Jammu & Kashmir? Striking this delicate equilibrium as mentioned above, may entail trade-offs and compromises. What leeway or tradeoffs been offered to these indigenous people to help navigate their means of livelihood without compromising their very existence?
Before the semi-autonomous status of the north Indian state of J&K was abolished by the central government on 05 August 2019, the scheduled tribes and other traditional forest dwellers ( recognition of forest rights) act , 2006 also known as FRA ( Forest rights act) was not implemented in the erstwhile state. But the irony of these developments is that even after implementation of this act the Gujjar &Bakerwals are yet to receive any relief from persecution and a sense of insecurity. In fact this insecurity and persecution has deep rooted reasons going to the very demographic structuring of this UT from which it draws a skewed sense of paranoia that lays blame on these communities who they think will change the very demographic profile of this sensitive area once FRA /Forest rights act are allowed to be availed of. This narrative is the main bone of contention for the rightful implementation of FRA in J&K. Has the World Tribal Day celebrated with lots of pomp and show in Feb 2024 been of any help to these tribal people? If not, then why not? As if this is not enough, in one of the latest surveys conducted by the ‘Tribal research and cultural foundation’ (TRCF) it has been revealed that heavy loss of lives, lack of basic education, health and communication facilities besides restriction on nomadic movement in upper reaches of the Himalayan region are causing a devastating effect and impact on lives of these nomadic graziers to no end. Majority of them are placed below the poverty line, possessing meager assets and are excessively dependent upon wages, forest produce, and farming, that too in a traditional way leading to non -remunerative returns. Can one forget the tremendous contribution of these tribal people towards strengthening of security of our border areas? The infamous ‘OP SARP VINASH’ conducted in 2003 in the deep ravines of Pir Panjal mountains is a living testimony of them casting their lot with India. Do we want to alienate this force multiplier with our non-committal attitude towards them? These are some of the pressing issues which GOI should put all its might together in the border area like J&K and accordingly showcase them in the celebrations on this ‘World tribal day-2024.
On this ‘World Tribal Day -2024 I have some of the posers for the new Modi dispensation which if resolved could be meaningful tribute to these celebrations slated on 09 th August 2024-
* Why despite stiff opposition from scientists, activists and indigenous people, GOI passed the Forest (conservation) amendment act, 2023 that empowers it to divert land without forest clearance from certain categories of forest lands?
* Why exemptions from mandatory requirement of forest clearance for security related linear projects within 100 kms of the International borders or up to 10 hectares for construction of defence related projects or camps for paramilitary forces or public utility projects in left wing extremism affected areas?
* The FCA amendment act , 2023 violates the forest rights of the Scheduled tribes and the right to free , prior and informed consent ( FPIC) of the gram sabhas under the section 4( e) of the above people and other traditional forest dwellers ( recognition of forest rights ) act , 2006 ( FRA) and section 4 of the provisions of the panchyats ( extension to the scheduled areas) act , 1996 ( PESA).
Though there are numerous such posers which could drill holes in the much publicized pro- tribal policies of the present dispensation at the center, the above posers are centrality in theme and action if a meaningful heft is given to this year’s theme of ‘World tribal day -2024’ ( ‘protecting the rights of indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation and initial contact).
At the end of this write up the question remains-‘Has the occasion mainstreamed the marginalized in India’? -Time to rectify them this ‘World Tribal Day-2024.
(The writer is a retired army officer)
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