MANISH GUPTA
Ranchi, July 25: Tribals of Jharkhand have welcomed Droupadi Murmu’s elevation to the highest position in India as its 15th President but most do not expect much change in the plight of tribals with some calling it delayed justice, others calling it symbolic.
“The opinion among the tribals is divided. While one section sees it as eyewash with BJP having plans to cheat tribals for a longer period, the other section does not expect much from her as it’s a decorative post,” said tribal rights activist Sanjay Basu Mallick.
Mallick said that the second opinion is more prevalent and he, too, agrees with it. “The President is not a lawmaker. She can at best return a bill once but not twice. At most she can make statements which people like us will use in future,” Mallick said.
He said that Droupadi Murmu is a tribal lady both by birth and culture. “She speaks in Santhali language, can dance Santhal dance forms, and we are happy that after 75 years the world’s largest democracy has a tribal lady as its first citizen,” he added.
Journalist and author Santosh Kiro said, “We had a different nationality from the beginning. At the time of independence, the talks included ‘Adivasistan’ apart from Hindustan and Pakistan but we later merged and accepted the national flag.
“We gave all our resources our land, forest, water and country; instead we got a 7 per cent reservation. A tribal lady becoming the President is surely a recognition but it is a delayed justice. Tribals being an integral part of India is a delayed thought.
“Tribals face a much bigger struggle to get recognised. I don’t see today’s development to have any meaningful impact as it is a decorative post. However, if the government of the day decides to promote the tribal community then things will change.”
Dr Vasavi Kiro, a former member of the Jharkhand State Commission for Women and a well-known Adivasi author and social activist, said, “Droupadi Murmu becoming the President is a historic moment. After 14 Presidents, the 15th is a tribal and this is the beginning of a new India. There are high hopes but we do understand her limitations.
“Even after 75 years, the tribals lag behind on many fronts – education, health, socio-cultural and financial backwardness. With her as President, we hope that tribal issues will come into focus and tribal agenda will come in discussions of development.
“I hope malnutrition, anaemia and malaria will be wiped out from the tribal population. The literacy rate will improve and issues related to language, literature and culture will be addressed. We will meet her and draw her attention towards these issues.”
Renowned tribal activist Dayamani Barla said, “I congratulate her for becoming the first tribal lady as President of India. However, if you see it has been 26 years since PESA (Panchayat (Extension to the Schedules Areas) Act, 1996) was enacted to expand local self-governance and empower adivasi community but the rules were never made.
“As President, she has big responsibilities. She can ask the state Governors who report to her to take steps to make rules for the fifth and the sixth schedules and implement the PESA law. She can ensure funds getting diverted from Tribal Sub-Plan are stopped. She can ask the divisive forces to stop dividing tribals in the name of religion.
“When all religions have their codes, the tribals can also have their Adivasi/ Sarna Code and it should be easier now with a tribal President. However, merely getting the post is not a big deal but how she is able to independently use her office for tribal uplift.”
Former MP and author of tribal issues Shailendra Mahato said, “This is a big success for tribals. Narendra Modi has shown the world how India has wiped out the divide in the society in its 75th year of independence, on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
“Both me and my wife (Abha Mahato) were sent by BJP to Rairangpur in Odisha to campaign for her and help her become MLA for the first time. Droupadi had not got many Santhal votes but she could win with the general and Mahato votes.”
