On the Future of Indigenous Traditions - Munin

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION
5.1. Basic issues in a broader spectrum
Special provisions in the Indian Constitutional and special laws meant to protect the
interests of minority, lower caste groups, the Adivasis and other less privileged
sections in the country, in principal, give a basis for protection and privileges of these
sections. One basic issue here that arises for the Adivasis in the modern state is a
question, why they should have the said privileges and special rights. This comes as
an argument from those sections on the other side who feel their democratic rights and
principal of equal citizenship rights given in the Constitution are being violated. As it
is seen in the case of Chatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti, the Jharkhand Pradesh
Panchayatiraj Adhikar Manch (JPPAM) and others with them in Jharkhand argued
against Adivasis’ claiming for their special rights in the state. (See chapter three)
Based on the same line of argument as above, the issue of indigenousness as against
the non-indigenous or non-Adivasis in the case of Jharkhand has caused social and
political tensions both in history and in the recent years. For example, on the regional
level a certain number of seats are reserved in jobs, education, Panchayats -village
council, seats in state legislation etc. for groups claiming their domicile here.
However, if we observe the conflicting areas between indigenous or Adivasis versus
non-Adivasis, issues in this context are more serious and larger. They are long,
drawn-out realities, reflected in historical struggles of the people obtaining and
practicing certain levels of autonomy and governance in their own community and
social affairs. It is also observed that the modern state is reluctant to enforce these
constitutional protective measures and a few privileges even with slightest oppositions
to them by the anti-Adivasi sections. The Adivasi interest and its representation on
different fronts also becomes an issue among them in the process, which includes
different perspectives including the modern vs. traditional approaches: the traditional
customary institution of the Adivasis on one hand and the Jharkhand Panchayti Raj
Act, a representative of the modern state system on the other.
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