Q. Evaluate the major policies of the government of independent India relating to integration of the tribals in the process of consolidation of India as a nation.
17,Sep 2024
Posted By : SPM IAS Academy
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APSC2023
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The integration of tribal communities in post-independence India has been crucial for nation-building. The government has implemented a range of policies to protect tribal rights, promote their socio-economic development, and preserve their cultural identities. These efforts are aimed at ensuring that tribal communities are integrated into the national framework while respecting their unique ways of life.
Major Policies for Tribal Integration
A. Constitutional Safeguards
Scheduled Areas and Tribal Autonomy: The Constitution provides for the administration of tribal areas through the Fifth and Sixth Schedules. These schedules ensure that tribal communities have autonomy over their lands and governance. For instance, the autonomous councils in the North-Eastern states like the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council in Meghalaya allow local tribal leaders to manage resources, laws, and customs according to traditional practices.
Reservation in Legislatures and Public Services: The Constitution ensures political representation for Scheduled Tribes (STs) by reserving seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Additionally, reservations in public employment and education have enabled many tribal individuals to rise to prominent positions. For example, Droupadi Murmu, a tribal leader from Odisha, became the President of India, highlighting the impact of these policies on political empowerment.
B. Legal Protections and Rights
Protection of Tribal Lands: The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, commonly known as the Forest Rights Act (FRA), has been instrumental in recognizing the land rights of tribal communities. In states like Odisha and Chhattisgarh, many tribal families have been granted land titles under the FRA, enabling them to secure their livelihoods and prevent displacement.
Prohibition of Exploitation: Legal measures such as the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, and the Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989, protect tribals from exploitation and violence. In states like Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh, these laws have been crucial in safeguarding tribal communities from bonded labor and caste-based discrimination.
C. Development Policies
Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP): Introduced in the 1970s, the TSP is a dedicated fund for the socio-economic development of STs. This plan has facilitated the construction of schools, healthcare centers, and infrastructure in tribal areas. For example, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, the TSP has been instrumental in improving access to education and healthcare in tribal districts like Jhabua and Mandla.
Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana: Launched in 2014, this scheme aims at holistic tribal development by improving access to education, healthcare, and sustainable livelihoods. In Gujarat, the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana has led to significant improvements in tribal districts like Dang, where tribal farmers have benefited from agricultural extension services and skill development programs.
D. Educational and Cultural Initiatives
Ashram Schools and Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): These schools provide quality education to tribal children while preserving their cultural heritage. In states like Maharashtra and Odisha, EMRS have produced several successful students who have gone on to higher education and professional careers, thereby breaking the cycle of poverty.
Promotion of Tribal Languages and Culture: The government promotes tribal languages and culture through Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) and other cultural preservation initiatives. For example, the Arunachal Pradesh government’s efforts to document and teach the indigenous languages of the state’s tribes have helped preserve these languages for future generations.
Examples of Benefits to Tribal Communities
A. Economic Empowerment and Land Rights
In Odisha, under the Forest Rights Act, thousands of tribal families in districts like Kandhamal and Mayurbhanj have received legal recognition of their traditional lands. This has enabled them to improve agricultural productivity and secure their livelihoods.
Madhya Pradesh has seen success with the TSP, where tribal entrepreneurs have been supported through various schemes, leading to increased income levels and reduced poverty in tribal communities.
B. Political Empowerment
The reservation policies have enabled tribal leaders to participate in governance at various levels. The election of Droupadi Murmu as the President of India is a landmark achievement that highlights the political empowerment of tribal communities through these policies.
Nagaland has seen the success of the Sixth Schedule provisions, where autonomous councils like the Tuensang District Council have allowed local tribes to manage their affairs, preserving their customs while integrating into the national framework.
C. Educational Upliftment
The establishment of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in tribal areas has significantly improved educational outcomes for tribal children. In Maharashtra, EMRS students from the tribal district of Gadchiroli have gone on to pursue higher education in prestigious institutions, contributing to social mobility within these communities.
In Assam, the government’s efforts to integrate tribal languages into the educational curriculum have ensured that children from communities like the Bodos can receive education in their mother tongue, preserving their cultural identity while gaining access to modern education.
Challenges and Criticisms
A. Implementation Gaps
Uneven Reach: Despite robust policies, the benefits often do not reach the most remote or marginalized tribal communities. In areas like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the effectiveness of the Forest Rights Act has been limited by administrative challenges and lack of awareness among tribal populations.
Displacement and Development: Development projects, such as mining and dam construction, have often displaced tribal communities without adequate rehabilitation, leading to social unrest. The Narmada Bachao Andolan is a prominent example where tribal communities resisted displacement due to large dam projects.
B. Cultural Assimilation Pressures
Loss of Cultural Identity: While the policies aim to preserve tribal cultures, the influence of modern education and media sometimes leads to the erosion of traditional practices and identities. In states like Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, younger generations in tribal communities are increasingly adopting urban lifestyles, leading to a gradual loss of traditional knowledge and customs.
The government of independent India has implemented a wide range of policies to integrate tribal communities into the national mainstream while preserving their unique cultural identities. These policies have resulted in significant benefits, such as increased political representation, economic empowerment, and educational upliftment for many tribal communities. However, challenges remain, particularly in ensuring the effective implementation of these policies and balancing development with the preservation of tribal cultures. Continued efforts are needed to address these challenges and to ensure that tribal communities are fully integrated into the process of nation-building while retaining their distinct identities.
