Tribal Consolidation

In this article , we will look deal with topic titled ‘Tribal Consolidation in India after Independence.’

 

Phases

At the time of Independence, Tribal Consolidation was one of the major Issue . Tribes were very important because already we were suffering the issue of Territorial Integration and Tribal areas constituted substantial area of India’s territory.

 

Phase 1 : Pre British

• Policy of Non-Interference
• Tribals were following their own customary laws and traditions and were self sufficient remaining isolated from the outside world .

 

Phase 2 : British Rule 

Radical Transformation happened

• Traditional Livelihood suffered due to invasion of colonial machinery and Dikus. Britishers forced them to abandon Jhum Agriculture and practice Settled Agriculture
• Culture : Forest wasn’t just their source of livelihood but part of their culture as well + Christian Missionaries trying to convert them to Christianity
• Relation with forest altered : Britishers were interested in the wood and due to this they passed various Forest Laws making it illegal for Tribals to gather resources or cut wood from these forests

 

Phase 3 : Post Independence

At time of Independence, there were majorly two approaches wrt Tribals in India ie Isolationist approach and Assimilationist approach . However, Nehru rejected both these approaches as isolation is not desirable

Different approaches

Isolation	By Verrier Elwin Just leave them on their own as they were before advent of British rule
Assimilation	By GS Ghurye Tribals are just backward hindus who need to be assimilated in Hindu fold
Integration	Envisaged in Tribal Panchsheel Policy by JL Nehru Nehru rejected both of the above approaches as isolation is not desirable and assimilation would lead to loss of social and cultural identity of tribals . Hence he gave the Panchsheel policy Tribal should develop along the line of their own genious Tribal rights in land and forest should be respected Promotion of tribal languages No over administration Tribal assistance should be seeked in managing polity and administration   To give effect to the Panchsheel policy, following provisions were introduced Reservation of seats for Tribals Setting up of Tribal Advisory Councils Commissioner for STs was appointed to investigate whether the safeguards provided to them are properly observed or not Provision of 5th and 6th Schedule Article 46 : State should promote with special care the educational and economic interest of Tribal People and should protect them from social injustice and exploitation PESA (Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act) Forest Right Act , 2006

 

Side Topic : Forest Right Act, 2006

• It is a framework to ensure local self governance
• It guarantees following rights  (TURFm)
• • • • Title Rights : the right in the land is granted to STs and the people who are residing there for 75 years but don’t have documents (maximum 4 hectare)
      • Right of use of resources. Eg : Minor Forest Produce (honey, herbs etc) , Common Property Resource etc
      • Relief and Developmental Rights : in case of any displacement of tribals , proper relief packages should be given
      • Forest Management Rights 

• Issues wrt Forest Right Act
• • • • Task of documenting the claims of communities is very tedious
      • Reluctance on the part of bureaucracy
      • Narrow interpretation of the law
      • Opposition from wildlife conservationists

• Way forward
• • • Political will should be there
    • Devolution of fund, functions and functionaries
    • Awareness among the tribals about their rights

 

 

Issues wrt Tribals

Irrespective of Government efforts , Tribal progress has remained dismal due to

• weak execution of policies and ineffectiveness of state government in administering the policies
• misappropriation of funds
• ineffective functioning of Tribal Advisory Council
• lack of awareness among tribals wrt their rights and entitlements
• evasion of laws
• Deforestation
• neglect of primary education in tribal languages
• emergence of class differences among tribes due to unequal distribution of benefits of affirmative action
• Retreatment of tribals into inaccessible stretches due to loss of land, culture , forest rights etc

 

 

Xaxa Committee

The Committee was setup in 2013 to study socio-economic, health and educational status of tribals  and also to suggest policy initiatives and interventions for tribal upliftment Following are the suggestions Gram Sabha’s power needs to be increased wrt land alienation Mining rights needs to be given to the tribal cooperatives (eg : Andra Model of Tribal Cooperatives for Mining) Unused land should be acquired and used for tribal rehabilitation Impose penalties on officials for delayed implementation of FRA or PESA Appoint judicial commissions to investigate Naxal cases against tribals and their supporters Instead of large dams, small sized water harvesting should be created