'Yet Another Conspiracy': Jharkhand Adivasi Leaders Call for Boycott of RSS-Linked Tribal Conclave in Delhi
New Delhi: More than 100 Adivasi leaders, indigenous representatives, academics, activists and members of mass organisations from Jharkhand issued a joint statement on Wednesday (May 20) appealing to tribal communities to boycott the “Janjati Sanskritik Samagam” being organised in New Delhi on May 24 by the Janjati Suraksha Manch.
In the statement, the signatories alleged that “the fundamental ideology underpinning this conclave is anti-Adivasi.” They said the Janjati Suraksha Manch is affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, and accused the organisations of trying to undermine the distinct identity of Adivasis.
The joint statement was signed by former Jharkhand minister Geetashree Oraon, former MLA Mangal Singh Bobonga, Devkinandan Bedia, Kumar Chandra Mardi, Gunjal Ikir Munda, Rajni Murmu, Demka Soy, Ramesh Jerai, Neetisha Khalkho, Krishna Mardi, Mukesh Birua, Jyotsna Tirkey, among others.
Representatives of a number of organisations, including the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Samiti, Gaon Ganrajya Parishad, Sarna Sangom Samiti, Adivasi Sangharsh Morcha, Adivasi Mulwasi Adhikar Manch (Bokaro), Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha and Omon Mahila Sangathan, Adivasi Munda Samaj Mahasangh, Bharat Jakat Majhi Pargana Mahal (Ramgarh), Traditional Gram Sabha (Khunti), Adivasi Kshetra Suraksha Parishad, Atu Susar Samiti, Sanyukt Gram Sabha, Yuva Jhumur, Adivasi Pahan Baba Seva Samiti, Ho Lekhak Sangh, Adivasi Samanvay Samiti, Gram Pradhan Sangh, Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, Omon Mahila Sangathan and Johar also endorsed the appeal.
Also read: The Adivasi Imprint on the Constitution and the Republic’s Amnesia
The statement said the groups “consistently refrain from using the term ‘Adivasi’”, and instead describe tribal communities as “Janjatis” or “Vanvasis”. According to the signatories, these organisations view Adivasis as part of the Hindu social order and have promoted slogans such as “Sarna Sanatan Ek”.
They have also accused the organisations of attempting to divide tribal communities by supporting the delisting of Christian Adivasis from the Scheduled Tribes list and opposing the demand for a separate “Sarna Code”.
“These organisations have never stood in solidarity with the Adivasis in their struggle for jal, jangal and jameen,” the statement said.
The signatories further alleged that the RSS’s stated goal of establishing a “Hindu Rashtra” would reduce minorities and marginalised groups to “second-class status”. They claimed that Adivasis were being “instrumentalised in this very game”.
Calling the proposed gathering “yet another conspiracy” against the independent identity of Adivasis, the leaders urged people across Jharkhand to completely boycott the May 24 event and its organisers.
They have also appealed to the communities to hold rallies, meetings and public discussions to protest against the programme.
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