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By:

Girish Kale

8 October 2024 at 2:48:45 am

A Historic Gathering of Janjati Identity

May 24, 2026, could become a historic day in modern India. Nearly 1.5 lakh members of the Janjati, or indigenous tribal communities, from across the country will gather at the iconic Red Fort in New Delhi. A gathering of this scale in the national capital is unprecedented and carries a profound message. This is not a protest or agitation but a cultural assertion — an affirmation of identity, heritage, and continuity. Participants are arriving from some of India’s most remote forest and hill...

A Historic Gathering of Janjati Identity

May 24, 2026, could become a historic day in modern India. Nearly 1.5 lakh members of the Janjati, or indigenous tribal communities, from across the country will gather at the iconic Red Fort in New Delhi. A gathering of this scale in the national capital is unprecedented and carries a profound message. This is not a protest or agitation but a cultural assertion — an affirmation of identity, heritage, and continuity. Participants are arriving from some of India’s most remote forest and hill regions, driven by concern for preserving their faith, traditions, and cultural heritage. Their presence reflects both community introspection and an appeal to safeguard an ancient civilisational legacy. The concerns they raise are not limited to Janjati society; they are national concerns demanding awareness and sensitivity. Cultural Custodians Janjati communities have long preserved India’s ancient traditions. The forests and natural landscapes they inhabit are often regarded as the cradle of early Indian civilisation. Relatively untouched by outside influences, these regions have allowed many traditions to survive in near-original form. Over centuries, these communities defended their way of life with resilience and dignity. Their legacy is one of sacrifice, with many Janjati leaders and warriors resisting external threats while protecting their cultural identity. Among them, Birsa Munda remains a towering figure. Born on November 15, 1875, in present-day Jharkhand, Birsa Munda inspired a movement centred on protecting faith, culture, and community. The year 2026 marks his 150th birth anniversary, making the Delhi gathering especially significant. The Janjati Sanskritik Samagam represents over 12 crore Janjati citizens and more than 700 communities across India. Their gathering reflects unity and a shared resolve to preserve traditions passed down through generations. Despite India’s independence, many Janjati communities continue to face developmental challenges. Yet today’s deeper concern is existential, with faith, cultural identity, and traditional practices increasingly under threat. Challenges to Identity Historically, Janjati regions have been vulnerable to external influences. Over the centuries, large-scale religious conversion efforts disrupted many communities, altering traditions and dividing societies once united. In many areas, villages now stand split by differing belief systems and practices. These changes have weakened social cohesion and threatened cultural continuity. The issue goes beyond faith; it concerns identity, belonging, and community harmony. The Indian Constitution contains provisions to protect and uplift Janjati communities. However, concerns remain over implementation. A key concern is that benefits meant to preserve Janjati identity are not always reaching those who continue to follow traditional ways of life, fuelling concerns over imbalance in representation and opportunity. Another issue is the alleged misuse of identity-based benefits. Instances of false credentials have raised concerns among genuine beneficiaries, extending beyond employment to the broader question of identity integrity. Demands from various groups for inclusion under Janjati categories have also raised concerns about the possible dilution of constitutional safeguards, highlighting the need for careful scrutiny and robust verification. Social Pressure In recent years, Janjati regions have faced growing social pressures. Concerns have been raised about exploitation, particularly of vulnerable groups such as women. Disputes over land ownership and resource control have also intensified in some areas, disrupting traditional ways of life. These issues highlight the need to safeguard not only culture but also the socio-economic rights of these communities. Protecting land, dignity, and social structures is essential for sustainable development and preservation of identity. Janjati communities have also borne the brunt of prolonged conflict in regions affected by left-wing extremism. For decades, violence hindered development and disrupted everyday life, leaving many communities caught between opposing forces. While progress has been made in restoring peace, rebuilding trust, infrastructure, and social well-being remain ongoing national challenges. Shared Responsibility Janjati society is an integral part of India’s cultural and civilisational fabric. Concerns have, however, been raised about narratives that seek to separate these communities from the broader national identity. Efforts that encourage division rather than unity risk weakening the social fabric. India’s strength lies in its diversity, and Janjati traditions are an integral part of that heritage. Recognising this interconnectedness is essential for fostering harmony and mutual respect. The Janjati Sanskritik Samagam represents a peaceful expression of introspection, assertion, and unity — a gathering to voice concerns, celebrate heritage, and reinforce identity. The Samagam will begin with participants arriving in Delhi on May 23, 2026, followed on May 24 by traditional processions from five locations across the city and a major public gathering at the Red Fort featuring community leaders, social workers, and distinguished personalities. Janjati communities have long lived with self-reliance, dignity, and harmony with nature. As they raise concerns about identity and preservation, it becomes the responsibility of the nation to listen and respond. Their identity is inseparable from India’s own. Respecting and understanding Janjati communities is not merely an act of goodwill but a national responsibility. (The writer is an official of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram. Views personal.)

Knives out in legislature

Updated: Mar 21, 2025

Disha Salian

Mumbai: Death of celebrity manager Disha Salian in 2020 once again rocked the Maharashtra legislature on Thursday. While cabinet ministers Nitesh Rane and Shambhuraj Desai demanded that Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray be arrested in the case, BJP MLA Amit Satam in the assembly and another BJP member Chitra Wagh in the council demanded that the report of SIT to probe Salian’s death be made public.


Incidentally, amidst repeated disruptions in both the houses, some members from the treasury benches were seen speaking in favour of Aditya Thackeray, while Shiv Sena (UBT) members like Adv Anil Parab were seen supporting the BJP members’ demand that the report of the SIT probe be made public. In addition, there were allegations and counter allegations and personal accusations among members from the treasury and opposition benches which led to heated debate on occasions.


The opposition termed the attempts from the treasury benches to link Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray’s name in the case, as a ‘conspiracy’.


“I think this matter has gone to the court. We have no idea what he (Disha’s father) has said, but Aaditya Thackeray is a mature leader, a young leader. The Bharatiya Janata Party is conspiring to defame him by putting pressure on him. We don’t need to answer to this conspiracy. The court will answer,” Ambadas Danve said.


Earlier in the day, when the house gathered for the business, Minister of State for Home appraised the assembly of the status in this case. “SIT has been formed to probe in the case. Their report has not been received as yet. However, the government shall act according to directives from the court,” the minister told the house.


Another BJP minister Nitesh Rane, however, said that since Satish Salian has levelled allegations against an MVA minister, that leader be treated like a common person and that everybody should be treated equally before the law. Shiv Sena minister Shambhuraj Desai too supported the demand. “Since the allegations are grave, the person in question should be immediately arrested and the case be investigated,” he said.


Later, while speaking to media in the legislature premises, Rane asked Uddhav Thackeray to come clean on the issue. “If they say that we are politicizing the issue, Uddhav Thackeray should also tell the people why he had called, not just once but twice, to the then union minister Narayan Rane urging him to save his son?” Rane said.


He also accused the opposition of shying away from coming clean on the issue. “If they feel that we are not telling the truth, they should say so in the house. But they are shying away from doing so. Bhaskar Jadhav, who is always aggressive, was nowhere to be seen when this issue came up in the house. Sunil Prabhu too escaped the house under the pretext of a phone call. I challenge them to say that whatever I said on the issue is wrong,” Rane said.


He also said that Aditya Thackeray should resign on moral grounds till his name is cleared in the case.


BJP MLA Amit Satam demanded that the details of the SIT probe be made public so that the people would know if the probe is headed in right direction.


Interestingly, while the ruling parties were targeting the opposition in the case, senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar surprised all with his unexpected support to Thackerays. “I do not have any evidences in the case. But if her father has made any fresh allegations that needs to be investigated thoroughly. The assembly can discuss the issue at length tomorrow. In the meanwhile, members like Rane, who seem to have some evidences in the case should hand them over to the investigating agencies and help the probe,” he told the house.


Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Gaikwad and Sheetal Mhatre too toed the line and demanded that more and more evidences should come forth.


Similarly, when members of treasury benches were pushing for revealing the details of the probe till date to the public, Shiv Sena (UBT) member Anil Parab supported the demand. “Doing that shall conclusively prove the innocence of Aditya Thackeray,” he said.

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