Political Inclusion of Tribes

Droupadi Murmu, former Jharkhand Governor, has been nominated for President Election candidature.

• Belong to ‘Santhal Tribal community’ she is going to be the first Tribal women to hold such a higher position in politics of India.

• Tribal communities, outside the Northeast, generally have lower levels of literacy.
• But the Santhals have higher – a result of pro-school education awareness since at least the 1960s – literacy rate compared to other tribes in Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
• Many of the community have entered the creamy layer of Indian society.
• For example, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren is a Santhal.
• The incumbent Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAGI) Girsh Chandra Murmu, who was the first Lt Governor of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, also belong to Santhal community.

About

Why tribals are considered vulnerable section in the society?

• Tribal communities are often identified by some specific signs such as;
• Primitive traits
• Distinctive culture
• Geographical isolation
• Shyness to contact with the community at large
• Backwardness
• Though their vulnerability is defined by several factors;

• Dependency on hunting and gathering for food
• Having pre-agriculture level of technology
• Zero or negative growth of population
• Extremely low level of literacy

• These groups are called Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.

Issues faced by tribal population

• The tribal communities have not received the full benefits of development processes undertaken over the past six decades.
• Plus, they are adversely affected by the developmental projects undertaken during this period.
• While tribes have a distinct culture and history, they also share commonalities with other marginalised sections of Indian society, such as the

• lack of adequate political representation
• economic deprivation
• cultural discrimination

How tribal leadership can help India?

• Leaders of the tribal middle class: They are connected to the global indigenous people's network. They are a little more vocal about issues of land, water and forest, but are hardly involved in any sustained movement.
• The grassroots leaders: They know the issues better than anybody.
• Economic growth: The leader will help them to acquire proper job opportunities and their inclusion in main stream society, which can help them to generate revenue for their survival.
• Add to Heritage of India: Many local art forms and practices which are indigenous to Tribal living in secluded forests are unknown to common people, which are beneficial for ancient medicinal knowledge and other techniques.

• Improving Health related concerns: Health is the foremost aspect to be taken care for tribals and making them aware of the diseases evolving such as COVID19.
• Making primary education accessible to them in local language: Lack of Education makes them deprive to higher political positions and better livelihood conditions in general.
• Accessibility of education in their language will make easy for them to understand the concepts clearly.
• Even they can relate to the studies better.
• Awareness drives about Political rights: Political rights of tribals are unreached to them even after 75 years of Independence due to the lack of awareness among them about their rights.
• By Conducting rallies and community meetings can help to make them more aware.