Sunil Sonkar
Rahul Gandhi, a senior Congress leader, emphasized the intrinsic rights of tribal communities to their ancestral lands during his recent visit to his parliamentary constituency, Wayanad. Accusing the BJP and RSS of attempting to confine tribals by labeling them “Vanvasi” instead of “Adivasi,” Gandhi highlighted the distortion of history and tradition that this term entails. He advocated for the recognition of tribals as the original owners of India and decried the attempt to limit their association with jungles.
Gandhi recounted his interaction with the tribal community in Rajasthan, where he contrasted the ideologies of Adivasi and Vanvasi, expressing his aversion to the latter. Asserting that Adivasis possess unique wisdom and understanding of the environment, Gandhi stressed their historical connection to the land and the planet. He underscored Congress’s stance that Adivasis deserve rights to land and forests, as well as opportunities for education and professions, without restrictive categorization.
Gandhi extended gratitude to the people of Wayanad for their unwavering support during his disqualification as an MP and expressed his strong emotional connection to the region.
While praising the contemporary focus on environmental preservation, Gandhi acknowledged that Adivasis have upheld these principles for thousands of years. He highlighted the lessons that can be gleaned from their history, traditions, and ways of interaction, noting that their children should access quality healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. Speaking at the inauguration of a high-tension electricity line at the Dr Ambedkar Memorial District Cancer Centre in Nalloornadu, Gandhi further reiterated the importance of empowering Adivasis and their right to resources.
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Gandhi extended gratitude to the people of Wayanad for their unwavering support during his disqualification as an MP and expressed his strong emotional connection to the region. His return to Wayanad was marked by a warm welcome from Congress-led UDF leaders and the distribution of house keys to beneficiaries under the “Kaithangu” scheme.
