TRIBALS – 2007 - Indian Social Institute

state Government. But in the aftermath of the harvesting season, they were not ready to workunder NREG programme. Why? “It fetches us less than Rs 100 per day, whereas in tea gardenswe make anywhere between Rs 150 to Rs 200 per day,” said Ramchandra. ….. (Indian Express8/12/07)Jharkhand priests launch drive for prohibition of liquor (6)Ranchi : In a novel exercise, priests in Jharkhand have launched a campaign against countrymadeliquor, traditionally and religiously associated with the tribal community. In west Singhbhumdistrict, tribal priests have upped the ante and said they will not to perform prayers where hadia(rice beer) and meat are offered as prasad. Beside traditional pujas, the 'ban' is applicable tomarriages and other functions as well. The priests have also demanded a ban on the sale ofhadia. "Although hadia is a part of our culture, it has made a wrong influence on the people of ourcommunity. Tribals are wasting their hard-earned money on liquor," Ganpati Sohrai, a tribal priestof West Singhbhum district, said. "We have decided to boycott traditional functions andceremonies to send across the message to our people to stop consuming liquor." Echoing hisview, Gandura Munda of Dumka district said, "In past, many tribals lost their land tomoneylenders. Even today, tribals are leading a pitiable life much because of the their addictionto hadia. Hadia only makes them lazy and prevent from working hard to achieve anything in life.So we took the initiative and have launched this campaign to make them aware of the menace ofhadia." However, hadia is a main component of the tribal lives and the decision of the priests hasinvited sharp criticisms. "How can leave our tradition? Hadia is even offered to our Gods," KarmaOraon, a tribal, said. Echoing his view Neelkath Soren said, "we are against the priests' decision.We acknowledge that our men are addicted to hadia but we cannot completely do away with itsuse in prayers and functions." (Pioneer 11/12/07)'Silent' tribals set to boycott election (6)Surat : The "silent" tribals have become a cause of worry for both the BJP and the Congress inthe closely contested Gujarat polls. The Scheduled Tribes, who can successfully manage toswing the results in favour of any of the two parties in as many as 35-40 seats across Gujarat,have left worried the both about where they would finally go. Tribals are dominant in areasbordering Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, besides in a few pockets of central Gujarat. The silence isalso attributed to some campaigning in tribal areas wherein local leaders have pursuing peoplenot to vote. Ganesh Devi, a tribal activist, said, "We are asking our men not to vote either for theBJP nor the Congress. Both of them have befooled the Adivasis." Tribals had actively participatedin the post-Godhra violence in 2002 - an event described their outburst against the financial andsexual exploitation of ST men and women, respectively, by local Muslim moneylenders in Gujaratvillages. Subsequently figures got equally poised in 2002 elections and the BJP won 13 out of 26ST seats. This was for the first time that the BJP got such a massive support from the tribals, whohad been traditionally inclined towards the Congress. However, a discontent developed betweena section of the Adivasis and the BJP as a section of them believed the Government failed to bailout tribals from the riot cases. Tribals are being pursued to not vote for the Congress as it failedto come up with a law ensuring the right of STs on forest, land and water bodies in their areas.Also, they are being reminded that it was under Congress' rule that tribals were exploited themost by local Muslim moneylenders. BJP leaders, however, rebut the tribals were dissatisfiedwith their party. MB Patel, president of the Vadodra BJP president, told The Pioneer, "Theurbanisation of tribals under Narendra Modi has helped the community a lot and they would votefor the party." BJP's argument has been that it was the infrastructure development in tribal areasin the last five years that exposed them to the cities subsequently offering them the opportunity toget into jobs other than farming. According to an estimate, percentage of urbanised tribalpopulation in Gujarat is around nine per cent - much higher than many other States. (Pioneer11/12/07)Rabha tribals oppose panchayat polls (6)Guwahati:: Rabha tribals in Lower Assam, who are seeking an extension of the Sixth Schedulestatus granted to their area of habitation, are protesting against holding of panchayat elections inareas falling under the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council. On Sunday, agitated members of