Tribal Identity in India with Gladson Dungdung (HRW Day 2)

Tribal Identity in India

SPEAKER: Gladson Dungdung

DATE: 11th December 2021

TIME: 5:00pm – 6:45pm

MODERATOR: Rohit Gupta

The session on ‘Tribal identity in India’ was delivered by well-known human rights activist Mr. Gladson Dungdung who is the founder of the Adivasis Publications, Adivasis Hunkar and Jharkhand Human Rights Movement.

The speaker began his session by saying how the word ‘Adivasi’ from the beginning, has been used in a very negative sense as a synonym of filth, undisciplined, ill-mannered, etc. According to him, this was done by Aryans to not only establish their supremacy but also to infringe in the minds of tribals an inferiority, similar to what The English did to Indians during their rule. But, who are these ‘Adivasi’?

Ram Dayal Munda, who is a scholar in the study of tribal and has written a book named ‘Adivasi Astitva aur Jharkhandi Asmita ke Sawaal’ in which he describes Adivasi as a class that cohabits with nature with an absence of caste and religion and along with inclusivity and equality all while being economically self-sufficient due to their need-based outlo

ok. So, Gladson asks this question about why a group that is extremely well doing on their own, is being labelled as ‘ill-mannered’. 

To look at the historical background of the tribal class back during the British rule, the term used to describe Adivasis was aboriginal inhabitants, tribals, etc., from which the term Adivasi arises, i.e., first settlers. Also, while the first census of 1871, the tribals were acknowledged in a different category just like Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, etc. which was not the case after India’s independence. So, the term ‘Adivasi’ was first extensively used by Jaipal Singh Mundha which he also wanted to insert as the identity of tribals in the Constitution of India. Although, this was overruled by Dr. Ambedkar during the conference which Mr. Dungdung believes was a move made out of fear of superiority by the Adivasis. 

Mr. Dungdung says that this type of discrimination went on and was evident by RSS, Congress, etc. towards tribals. After Nehru’s visit to Russia, he felt this profound need for innovations and new technology in India for which he proposed the construction of the Hirakud dam for which the land was supposed to be taken from tribals. Although the tribals weren’t ready to give up their land, Nehru made Jaipal Singh Mundha convince them. Even though he then agreed, he later regretted the decision as the centre then took advantage and eventually kept expanding on the name of mining, development projects, etc. 

Saranda Forest is one of the major mining sites in Jharkand which constitutes 25% iron of the country. The mining here has been taking place since 1925 and still gives capital of 3000 crores and yet the facilities provided to the tribals residing there are far below what could be called basic. 

Mr. Dungdung points out the irony saying the State that is responsible to save the Adivasis is in fact the one exploiting it. 

Few questions were raised by the listeners:

Q.) In our Nation, the lack of representation of Adivasis in the house is an extremely excruciating fact. The tribal issues are not just not picked up by mainstream political parties but also not by tribal representatives after the election. How can we, as citizens, tackle this problem?

- We have to always remember that we live in a democratic country. The fight to be heard can be hard but it is still an easier path than giving up. We, the citizens of the nation, have the power and we need to exploit that power to be heard.

Q.) If we talk about Adivasi females, they are worked twice as hard as men in mining sectors and yet paid half as the men in comparison. What are your thoughts on the condition of Adivasi women of the country?

- Very rightly pointing at the condition of Adivasi women, these inequalities relating to wages, jobs and roles, etc. very much exists and is one of the traditional evils that need to be fought by the younger Adivasi generation.

Q.) The tribal in various areas of the country are fighting among each other on the ground of religion which is affecting the unity that is required to put forward the rights agenda. What is your advice on uniting the brothers together?

- This is a matter of extreme concern and if we keep fighting among each other, the one thing that defines us, our forest land, can be easily taken away. This is why we need to take initiative to liberate our brothers about the issue.

Q.) You talked about being against the development projects by the Government. If that is so, then what about the growth of the tribal community? 

- Development isn’t only based on technological advancement and living in concrete jungles. And I am never against development projects. I am against those development projects that strips away fertile land from beneath the tribal to feed off corporate greed. I also believe that growth can be achieved with need-based economics as well.

Report drafted by Sakshi Jadhav (TYBA)