The Wire Staff 
New Delhi: The chief of the Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram – an RSS-affiliated outfit that works with tribals – has said that that ‘Vanvasi’ traditions have a ‘deep root’ alongside the ‘Sanatani’ traditions.
Satyendra Singh, chief of the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram made the statement at a function in Haryana, where the assembly elections are scheduled to be held soon, reported Deccan Herald.
“All of us have our roots in the forests. The Vanvasi (forest-based) society has also played an important role in creating the ancient Vedas. The festivals and worship methods of all the tribal societies are similar to the Sanatani tradition,” Singh said.
He added that the differentiation between tribal communities and others was a “gift” from the British.
The other participants at the event included RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
The RSS, BJP and their affiliated organisations have consistently maintained that tribals, who the Sangh Parivar calls as ‘Vanvasi’, are part of the larger Hindu fold. Any effort by Adivasis to assert their tribal identity is often seen as a ‘conspiracy against Hindus’ by the Sangh Parivar.