TRBAL8 N NDA TRBAL8 N NDA

AND THER RGHT8 AND THER RGHT8

Fr, Jumes Muscurenhus S,J, Fr, Jumes Muscurenhus S,J,
Vishwu MunduI Sevushrum Shirpur DhuIe Dt, Muhurushtru Vishwu MunduI Sevushrum Shirpur DhuIe Dt, Muhurushtru
9 9
th th
, September Z00 , September Z00
WHO ARE THE TR!BALS WHO ARE THE TR!BALS
Tribals are different from other people. Tribals are different from other people.
They live mostly in compact areas They live mostly in compact areas
They are hardly a part of the mainstream They are hardly a part of the mainstream
They have their own system and life style They have their own system and life style
based on mutual trust and decision by based on mutual trust and decision by
consensus. consensus.
On the whole, honesty rules their lives On the whole, honesty rules their lives
who are the 86hE0ULE0 Tr|bes ?
- Primitive Traits
- GeographicaIIy isoIated
- Distinct cuIture
- Shyness of contact with community at
Iarge
- EconomicaIIy backward
Communities are notified as ST under ArticIe
342 of the Constitution based on the foIIowing
Characteristics
ONFUS!ON!! ONFUS!ON!!
Tribals stand for Honesty and straight Tribals stand for Honesty and straight
forwardness, religiosity, community forwardness, religiosity, community
feeling, hospitality, tradition etc The feeling, hospitality, tradition etc The
mainstream has a different set of values mainstream has a different set of values
and principles from those of the tribals. and principles from those of the tribals.
Hence Hence
confusion of tribals when they come confusion of tribals when they come
into contact with mainstream.. into contact with mainstream..
their own value system is used against their own value system is used against
them.. them..
enied of their basic human rights . . . enied of their basic human rights . . .
One can be said to enjoy human rights if One can be said to enjoy human rights if
one has the minimum of entitlements to one has the minimum of entitlements to
live with human dignity. live with human dignity.
The tribals certainly do not have this!!! The tribals certainly do not have this!!!
Basic rights denied. Basic rights denied.
%ight to livelihood to meet the basic %ight to livelihood to meet the basic
human needs, TO LvE W!TH human needs, TO LvE W!TH
!CN!TY, to have a say in the !CN!TY, to have a say in the
political process, rights to quality political process, rights to quality
education, right to health, right to education, right to health, right to
freedom and right to preserve culture freedom and right to preserve culture
and habitat. and habitat.
Covernment has done little for them. . . Covernment has done little for them. . .
Tribals account for almost 8.2 per cent of Tribals account for almost 8.2 per cent of
the total population, which is NUH the total population, which is NUH
higher than the population of the other higher than the population of the other
minority groups in !ndia. Yet the minority groups in !ndia. Yet the
government has done little for the government has done little for the
empowerment of these people who empowerment of these people who
continue to be exploited.. continue to be exploited..
Nost Narginalized. Nost Narginalized.
Today tribals are among the most Today tribals are among the most
marginalized in society. They are marginalized in society. They are
dominated, exploited and controlled by dominated, exploited and controlled by
the NA!NSTREAN. the NA!NSTREAN.
onsequently they are those who are onsequently they are those who are
most deprived of human rights. most deprived of human rights.
ethods used to ethods used to
marginalize tribals marginalize tribals
. . Political: Political:
The fact that they have a weak and The fact that they have a weak and
inexperienced leadership is taken advantage of. inexperienced leadership is taken advantage of.
. .
ethods used to marginalize tribals ethods used to marginalize tribals. . . . . . . .
2. Political ... 2. Political ...
Weak Leadership Weak Leadership .. ..
a. Even in reserved constituencies tribals a. Even in reserved constituencies tribals
cannot win on their own strength cannot win on their own strength
b. Tribal issues remain regional issues and b. Tribal issues remain regional issues and
so tribal matters are often neglected. so tribal matters are often neglected.
ethods used to marginalize tribals. . . ethods used to marginalize tribals. . .
3. Lands 3. Lands
a. Tribals lands are being grabbed a. Tribals lands are being grabbed
by government for dams etc by government for dams etc
by companies (SEZ.) by companies (SEZ.)
by rich moneylenders (loans.) by rich moneylenders (loans.)
Tribal lands are slowly and steadily Tribal lands are slowly and steadily
passing on to the rich. Without land there passing on to the rich. Without land there
will be no tribal community. will be no tribal community.
Tribals are seen as a %OALOCK to Tribals are seen as a %OALOCK to
development. development.
ethods used to marginalize tribals. . . ethods used to marginalize tribals. . .
3. Land .. 3. Land ..
b. Poor !rrigation for ST lands. b. Poor !rrigation for ST lands.
!rrigation facilities for the meagre lands !rrigation facilities for the meagre lands
that they have, are very poor. This leads that they have, are very poor. This leads
to a poor economic condition. to a poor economic condition.
As a result As a result
Tribals are Forced to adopt subsistence Tribals are Forced to adopt subsistence
agriculture agriculture
ethods used to marginalize tribals. . . ethods used to marginalize tribals. . .
4. Poor Education 4. Poor Education
Literacy is universally recognized Literacy is universally recognized
as the most powerful instrument as the most powerful instrument
of social change of social change
A%C!NAL!ZAT!ON OF T%!ALS . . . A%C!NAL!ZAT!ON OF T%!ALS . . .
, POOR EDUCATION , POOR EDUCATION, , , , , ,
THE EST ECAT!ON THE T%!AL THE EST ECAT!ON THE T%!AL
CH!L%EN %ECE!vE !S OFTEN OF CH!L%EN %ECE!vE !S OFTEN OF
vE%Y POO% QAL!TY. vE%Y POO% QAL!TY.
Now the quality of education is on the decline. Now the quality of education is on the decline.
As a result they are not able to compete for jobs. As a result they are not able to compete for jobs.
iteracy Rate
24
29.4
36.2
52.2
65.38
12.9
18.6
29.8
39.3
54.28
8.5
11.3
16.3
29.6
47.1
3.2
4.8
8
18.2
34.76
0
20
40
60
80
1961 1971 1981 1991 2001
Census Year
Tot al
Tot al
Female
ST
ST Female
Year General Population STs
Male Female
Total
Male Female Total
1991 64.13 39.29 52.2 40.65 18.19 29.6
2001 79.96 54.28
65.38
59.17 34.76 47.10
ethods used to marginalize tribals. . . ethods used to marginalize tribals. . .
4. Covernment Schemes 4. Covernment Schemes
Even many Covernment Schemes seem to elude the normal Even many Covernment Schemes seem to elude the normal
tribal. tribal.
Any government scheme normally designed for the average Any government scheme normally designed for the average
district, village (land, population.registration. district, village (land, population.registration.
education. ) which is not a reality where tribals are education. ) which is not a reality where tribals are
concerned. concerned.
The greater the variance from the average district, the The greater the variance from the average district, the
greater the disadvantage. greater the disadvantage.
arginalization of Tribals arginalization of Tribals..
S. Attitude of Administration S. Attitude of Administration
The administration must support, The administration must support,
encourage, bring out the full potential.. encourage, bring out the full potential..
NOT OvERPOWER!NC ONTROL. NOT OvERPOWER!NC ONTROL.
But overpowering control is what is But overpowering control is what is
happening. Tribals are not being allowed happening. Tribals are not being allowed
to grow. to grow.
arginalization of Tribals arginalization of Tribals..
S. Tribal areas are far flung. S. Tribal areas are far flung.
nwillingness of efficient officals to be posted to these areas.. !ncentives not nwillingness of efficient officals to be posted to these areas.. !ncentives not
given. given.
6. Attitude of Administration 6. Attitude of Administration..
Punishment postings.. Tribal welfare departments also are often controlled Punishment postings.. Tribal welfare departments also are often controlled
by non tribals. Anger. no sympathetic and helpful attitude by non tribals. Anger. no sympathetic and helpful attitude
A number of vacancies. A number of vacancies.
very little government accountability in these areas. most tribals don't dare very little government accountability in these areas. most tribals don't dare
to question.most money going down the drain. to question.most money going down the drain.
arginalization of Tribals arginalization of Tribals..
6. Attitude of Administration 6. Attitude of Administration..
!N %!EF: !N %!EF:
The attitude of government officals The attitude of government officals
!s not only !s not only
not positive not positive
BUT even BUT even not neutral not neutral. .
!t often borders very much on the !t often borders very much on the negative negative. .
arginalization of Tribals arginalization of Tribals..
7. %eservation of ]obs for tribals 7. %eservation of ]obs for tribals
Hardly 1 of the tribal's are in jobs. Hardly 1 of the tribal's are in jobs.
The National Commission for Schedule The National Commission for Schedule
Castes and Tribes states that there is a Castes and Tribes states that there is a
backlog to the tune of 6S backlog to the tune of 6S 70 per cent in all 70 per cent in all
categories of employment. The current categories of employment. The current
debate on reservation in jobs and debate on reservation in jobs and
universities for tribal people remains universities for tribal people remains
unaddressed in this tribal policy. unaddressed in this tribal policy.
8. Unity of Tribals broken by politics and 8. Unity of Tribals broken by politics and
political paries. political paries.
arginalization of Tribals arginalization of Tribals..
3. Other Concerns / issues 3. Other Concerns / issues
Covernment's Lack of awareness regarding Covernment's Lack of awareness regarding
distinct problems of STs S often clubbing them distinct problems of STs S often clubbing them
with other disadvantaged groups. with other disadvantaged groups.
Poor infrastructure leading to low capacity of the Poor infrastructure leading to low capacity of the
economy in tribal areas to effectively absorb economy in tribal areas to effectively absorb
institutional finance. institutional finance.
!naccessibility of tribal areas and tough terrain, !naccessibility of tribal areas and tough terrain,
mostly forests. mostly forests.
Food scarcity in spite of surplus food production Food scarcity in spite of surplus food production
arginalization of Tribals arginalization of Tribals..
10. Other concerns / issues (contd..) 10. Other concerns / issues (contd..)
Non adoption of TSP approach by various Non adoption of TSP approach by various
inistries/ States. inistries/ States.
!nability of States to contribute S0 in !nability of States to contribute S0 in
Centrally Sponsored schemes. Centrally Sponsored schemes.
At the present rate of accelerated At the present rate of accelerated
economic growth, especially economic growth, especially
infrastructure development in the country infrastructure development in the country
vis vis aa vis the Tribal Areas, the gap is vis the Tribal Areas, the gap is
widening at a much faster rate. widening at a much faster rate.
emocracy sides with the strong. emocracy sides with the strong.
!f things continue, as they are now: !f things continue, as they are now:
T%!ALS W!LL ONE AY E T%!ALS W!LL ONE AY E
ST%ANCE%S ST%ANCE%S
!N THE!% OWN LAN !N THE!% OWN LAN. .
!S THE%E ANY HOPE??? !S THE%E ANY HOPE???
E8 E8
WHAT SHOL WE O??? WHAT SHOL WE O???
est way is to STA%T F%O T%!ALS THESELvES. est way is to STA%T F%O T%!ALS THESELvES.
Starting from Starting from
THE!% FEEL!NC OF HELPLESSNESS.. THE!% FEEL!NC OF HELPLESSNESS..
TH!NK!NC SHOL E CHANCE. TH!NK!NC SHOL E CHANCE.
CONF!ENCE NEES TO E CONF!ENCE NEES TO E
OOSTE. OOSTE.
T%!ALS NEE TO E O%CAN!ZE AN T%!ALS NEE TO E O%CAN!ZE AN
ST%ENCTHENE. ST%ENCTHENE.
WHAT SHOL WE O??? . . . WHAT SHOL WE O??? . . .
1. Start with SELF HELP C%OPS. 1. Start with SELF HELP C%OPS.
!N A PLANNE, POS!T!vE ANNE% !N A PLANNE, POS!T!vE ANNE%
This infrastructure will help THE TO This infrastructure will help THE TO
E CONSC!ENT!ZE .. strengthen E CONSC!ENT!ZE .. strengthen
them to fight for their rights and them to fight for their rights and
demand them. demand them.
WHAT SHOL WE O??? WHAT SHOL WE O???
Create social awareness. Create social awareness.
Oganize trainings in human rights, law, Oganize trainings in human rights, law,
government schemes etc. ake them government schemes etc. ake them
aware of: aware of:
a. asic constitutional and legal rights a. asic constitutional and legal rights
as !ndian citizens as !ndian citizens
b. Forest %ights Act b. Forest %ights Act
c. %ECA. c. %ECA.
d. %ight to !nformation d. %ight to !nformation
WHAT SHOL WE O???...... WHAT SHOL WE O???......
2. Create social awarness 2. Create social awarness. . . . . .
e. Attrocities Act e. Attrocities Act
f. Latest developments f. Latest developments
regarding the 3 %ight to Food regarding the 3 %ight to Food
Schemes and the Orders of the Schemes and the Orders of the
Supreme Court regarding them. Supreme Court regarding them.
g. Local %ights g. Local %ights
nless they know their rights they will not be able nless they know their rights they will not be able
to demand them to demand them
WHAT SHOL WE O???...... WHAT SHOL WE O???......
3. Organize federations of SHCs at a 3. Organize federations of SHCs at a
higher level. higher level.
A wide network will be created. A wide network will be created.
they will then get better they will then get better
organized. This will strengthen them organized. This will strengthen them
greatly and they will have a bigger greatly and they will have a bigger
say . People will respect them more. say . People will respect them more.
WHAT SHOL WE O???...... WHAT SHOL WE O???......
4. Education of tribals: 4. Education of tribals:
ltimately it will be education that will make ltimately it will be education that will make
a big difference. a big difference.
We need to give tribals, quality education. We need to give tribals, quality education.
!t may not be possible to open many !t may not be possible to open many
schools. ut we have a number of schools. ut we have a number of
boardings all over the country. Here we boardings all over the country. Here we
can really ensure that tribals get high class can really ensure that tribals get high class
quality education. quality education.
WHAT SHOL WE O???...... WHAT SHOL WE O???......
4. Education of tribals.. 4. Education of tribals..
We need to make our Christian We need to make our Christian
institutions self sustaining, job institutions self sustaining, job
oriented and responsive to the needs oriented and responsive to the needs
of the tribals. of the tribals.
aking them sports oriented will also aking them sports oriented will also
pay rich dividends. pay rich dividends.
WHAT SHOL WE O???...... WHAT SHOL WE O???......
4. Land %ecords: 4. Land %ecords:
Land record keeping in tribals areas Land record keeping in tribals areas
is poor. The actual position is not is poor. The actual position is not
reflected. reflected.
!mportance of land records to be !mportance of land records to be
explained to people. They should explained to people. They should
learn to hold on to land in the legal learn to hold on to land in the legal
sense. sense.
WHAT SHOL WE O???...... WHAT SHOL WE O???......
S. Strengthen the Economy of the tribals to break S. Strengthen the Economy of the tribals to break
the vicious circle of poverty.: the vicious circle of poverty.:
a. Tribal land output is only one third of what the a. Tribal land output is only one third of what the
production of the land should be . They live on fertile production of the land should be . They live on fertile
land, but there is never enough food in their stomachs. land, but there is never enough food in their stomachs.
Tribals by and large, depend on agriculture and Tribals by and large, depend on agriculture and
forest for sustenance forest for sustenance
i. A lot of improvement of fields can be done at i. A lot of improvement of fields can be done at
government cost government cost -- %ECA. %ECA.
ii. Trainings in agriculture could be given with very ii. Trainings in agriculture could be given with very
little investment. little investment.
..
WHAT SHOL WE O???...... WHAT SHOL WE O???......
S. Strengthen the Economy of the tribals to break S. Strengthen the Economy of the tribals to break
the vicious circle of poverty.. the vicious circle of poverty..
iii. Ensure that they take advantage of agricultural iii. Ensure that they take advantage of agricultural
schemes available schemes available
There are 2727 specific and general There are 2727 specific and general
government schemes in every district. government schemes in every district.
We can't compete with the government in terms of We can't compete with the government in terms of
resources. We should learn to access them. resources. We should learn to access them.
WHAT SHOL WE O???...... WHAT SHOL WE O???......
S. Strengthening the economy of tribals.. S. Strengthening the economy of tribals..
. Start !ncome Ceneration Activities . Start !ncome Ceneration Activities
with government and ank aid: with government and ank aid:
!ncome generation activities could help to !ncome generation activities could help to
break the vicious circle of poverty. break the vicious circle of poverty.
HAT EL8E 8HOULD E HAT EL8E 8HOULD E
DO???...... DO???......