Lagatar24 Desk
Wayanad, Aug 13: Rahul Gandhi advocated for tribal rights on Sunday, stating that tribal people are the “original owners of the country.” He also stressed indigenous rights, saying that they should be granted rights on the land and the forest.
“I have been travelling around the country and have met tribal brothers and sisters across India. There is the word called ‘Adivasis’, which means original owners of land. This means a particular wisdom, a particular understanding of the environment of the earth we live on…a particular relation with the planet we live on, and that also implies that they (tribals) are ‘original owners of this country’,” speaking to a crowd after opening a power facility at a hospital in Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi made this statement.
“They should be given rights on land, on forest and should be allowed and imagination to do whatever they want,” he added.
Rahul Gandhi continued by referring to indigenous people as the original owners and asking them to allow their kids to pursue careers in engineering, medicine, law, or entrepreneurship.
“You should also give the rights in the forest, of lands, and to forest produce. The entire planet should be open to you. You (Tribals) should not be restricted and categorized,” he added.
He went on to underline his second notion, which uses the term “Vanvasi,” and said that the word “Vanvasi” is based on a distorted logic.
“This is one idea and there is another idea that uses the term ‘Vanvasi’. We say Adivasi and the other side says ‘Vanvasi’. And there is a perverted logic behind the word ‘Vanvasi’. The word ‘Vanvasi’ denies that you are the original owners of India and it also restricts you to the jungle. The idea behind the word ‘Vanvasi’ is that you belong in the jungle and you should never leave the jungle. And this is simply not acceptable to us. We do not accept this word,” he said.
In Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi inaugurated a power facility at the Dr Ambedkar District Memorial Cancer Center and announced that he is pleased to donate Rs. 50 lakh from the MP fund.
“I am very happy to come here and inaugurate the power plant. I hope this electrical line will help the hospital. I am happy to give Rs 50 lakh from the MP fund. This hospital will get Rs 5 crore for good work from doctors,” Congress MP added.
