Samskruti Talks | Janjati (Tribal) Communities in India and their Welfare

Speaker : Sri Girish Kuber, Expert on Tribal Matters, Sr. functionary, RSS

India has a huge Janajati(tribal) population estimated to be in the range of 15-20 Crores. These communities have been living in India since times immemorial in their own distinct nature-friendly ways. Their welfare is of primary importance to the nation. There are different aspects of their lives / issues which need protection for their own good as well as the good of the nation. These aspects are broadly categorized as :

I. Astitva (Existence) and related issues,

II. Asmita (  Identity), and,

III. Vikas ( Development)

All the three aspects are important and the nation must work out policies based on detailed research meant to address them.

Astitva

Astitva, meaning Existence, is a fundamental aspect of any community, including

Janjati(tribal) communities. For the Janjati communities, their existence is intricately tied to four pillars: water, forest, land, and cohabitation with nature. These pillars not only sustain their physical livelihood but also shape their cultural identity, social structures, and sustainable practices.

Janajati communities have developed a profound and symbiotic relationship with nature and its resources over centuries. Their traditional ecological knowledge, passed down through generations, encompasses a wealth of wisdom on resource conservation, adaptation to environmental changes, and mitigation strategies. This knowledge is deeply rooted in their cultural practices and belief systems, which emphasize harmony and balance between humans and nature.

In recognizing the significance of Janajati communities and safeguarding their rights, the Constitution of India has established various provisions and legislations. Scheduled Tribes are protected and recognized under the Fifth and Sixth Schedules of the Constitution. These constitutional provisions ensure the preservation of their distinct identities, cultural heritage, and rights over their traditional lands and resources. Additionally, supportive legislations such as the

Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) and the Forest Rights Act (FRA) have been enacted to provide a protective framework for indigenous communities.

To advance our understanding of the impact of constitutional provisions and laws on tribal communities, critical analysis and research are paramount. Evaluating the implementation of policies and acts, as well as their effect on tribal-non-tribal relationships, can provide valuable insights for improving policies, enhancing socio-economic development, and fostering inclusive and harmonious coexistence.

It is crucial to undertake scientific evaluations to assess the impact of these constitutional provisions and laws on the well-being, cultural preservation, and socio-economic progress of Janajati communities.

Based on this the possible research area for future research could be following:

•  Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Resource Conservation Practices of Janajati Communities

• The Role of Water and its management system and practices in Janajati.

• Forests as Cultural and Ecological Spaces

• Examining the Interplay between Land Rights and Sustainable Practices in Janajati Communities

• Cohabitation with Nature: Understanding the Cultural and Spiritual Beliefs of Janajati Communities towards Nature

• Evaluating the Implementation of Constitutional Provisions and Legislations for Janajati Empowerment in India

• Impact of PESA and FRA on Indigenous Communities

• Socio-Economic Development Challenges and Opportunities for Janajati Communities· Tribal-Non-Tribal Relationships

These research topics are expected to deepen our understanding of the Astitva of Janajati communities, their sustainable practices, cultural beliefs, and the effectiveness of constitutional protections. They also explore the challenges and opportunities for the socio- economic development of Janjati communities and the dynamics of their relationships with non-tribal populations. By studying these aspects, researchers can contribute to the preservation of Janajati identity, the promotion of inclusive policies, and the sustainable management of natural resources.

Asmita

Asmita, meaning Identity encompasses the diverse aspects of life that shape the identity of Janjati communities. It encompasses their historical roots, social structures, cultural practices, ecological connections, and spiritual beliefs. Janajati exhibit unique socio-cultural systems, community bonding, sustainable livelihood practices, and profound knowledge of the environment. Exploring their Asmita entails acknowledging their collective wisdom, distinct worldviews, and the interconnectedness between humans and nature.

By studying their Darshan (Philosophy), we can understand their ideology and beliefs about reality and existence. Exploring their Sanskriti (Culture) sheds light on their way of life, customs, and artistic expressions. The Dharma (Code of Conduct) of the Janajati helps regulate behavior and maintain cultural traditions. Parampara (Traditions) encompasses their cultural, spiritual, and medicinal practices passed down through generations. Sabhyata (Civilization) represents the culmination of these aspects, showcasing the rich heritage and contribution of Janajati communities to our civilization. These studies would not only help revive the Asmita of tribal communities but also provide insights to redefine our own identities.

So main thematic area for future research could be:

•  Philosophy and Beliefs of Janajati Communities

• Janjati Epistemology and Sustainable Development: A Comparative Study

• Rediscovering Janajati Culture: Understanding Customs and Artistic

Expressions

• Exploring the Code of Conduct and Traditions of Janajati Communities

• Rule of Conduct in Janajati Communities and its Role in Cultural Preservation

• Oral Traditions and Indigenous Knowledge Systems

• Exploring Tribal Civilization and its Influence on Our Shared Heritage

• Happiness and Well-being from the Tribal Perspective

• Bridging Traditional and Modern Science

• Tribal Justice Systems: A People-Centric Approach to Resolving Conflicts

• Social Structures and Community Bonding in Janajati Societies

• A Trans disciplinary Study of Traditional Practices and Modern Conservation

Challenges

• Distortion of tribal traditions by foreigners and tribal identity protection

These research topics aim to delve into the multifaceted aspects of tribal identity and address the need for a comprehensive understanding of tribal communities. By exploring their philosophies, culture, faith, history, social system, knowledge systems, and justice systems, this research should seek to challenge biases, rectify historical misrepresentation, and contribute to more inclusive and respectful approaches towards tribal communities.

Vikas

Development is a multifaceted concept that varies across different regions and communities. In India, since gaining independence, development has undergone significant changes, accompanied by both positive advancements and formidable challenges. Presently, tribal areas in India are confronted with substantial issues, including the depletion of natural resources, food insecurity, and escalating poverty rates. Additionally, there is a growing disengagement of people from the development process.’

Development is a multifaceted concept that varies across different regions and communities. In India, development has changed a lot since gaining independence, and globalization has brought both good things and tough challenges. Presently, tribal areas in India are confronted with substantial issues, including the depletion of natural resources, food insecurity, and escalating poverty rates. Additionally, there is a growing disengagement of people from the development process.’

To deal with these problems, there are five important things we need to do:

• Give more power to local communities,

• Focus on what's happening in each specific place,

• Respect and celebrate the differences between different groups of people,

• Make sure different parts of the government are working together, and,

• Encourage new and, creative ideas to solve problems.

The way tribal communities see development might be really different from how most other people see it. So, we need to understand their way of looking at things and come up with new ways to measure whether development is happening or not. We can't just use the same rules for everyone if we want to see real progress in tribal communities.

Tribal people depend on forests, animals they raise, and farming to make a living. But now, it's getting harder for them to keep their traditional way of life because the forests are being destroyed. We need to find a good balance between keeping their traditions alive and making sure they can still live sustainably and protect their culture and the environment around them. It's also really important to follow the rules set out in the Constitution to make sure tribal people are treated fairly.

We should focus on things like helping farmers, making sure everyone has access to education, and providing scholarships, hostels, and training programs for tribal communities. We also need to make sure that everyone, including tribal people and

other marginalized groups, can get good healthcare and enough to eat. If mining and taking minerals from tribal areas expands, we have to be really careful to protect the environment and follow the law.

We should take a closer look at the impact of government programs like the Jan Dhan Yojana,  AADHAR Yojana, and many others to understand why they might not be working as well as they should. There's a law called the Biodiversity Act that says we should create a register of all the different plants and animals in India. This register will help with things like patents. We should work on that. Universities can play a big role in this by creating centers where different experts can work together.

Two things that need to be improved are getting more people involved and sharing

knowledge between universities and development work. Universities can do research in three important ways: they can help make policies, do research right in the communities, and check to see if the development plans are working like they should. Here are four important things for tribal research:

1. Collect and keep track of information about development using data from the communities themselves,

2. Talk to tribal people and make sure their voices are heard,

3. Do assessments based on what the communities really need, and,

4. Understand the information from an Indian point of view.

Lastly, it is essential to ensure that government programs, services, and fundamental

amenities like schools, healthcare facilities, clean water, and sanitation are accessible to all members of society, irrespective of their background or social status.

For future research following research topics can be taken :

• Meaning of Development in different tribal society

• Community-led Development and Empowerment

• Socioeconomic Impact of Development Programs on Tribal Communities in India

• Effectiveness and Challenges of Government Development Programs

• Role of Universities in Promoting tribal Development

• Comparative study of tribal traditional education system with its comparison to

modern education system

• Healthcare system for tribal society.

• Sustainable way of livelihood that matches with their tradition

• Modelling of basic amenities keeping tribal society in mind

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