Rahul promises six guarantees for Adivasis

Maintaining that Advasis were the “real owners” of the country and that they had first right over “water, forests and land”,  Congress president Rahul Gandhi six guarantees for the tribal community, including declaration of “scheduled areas” and  withdrawal of amendments made by the Modi government to  to forest conservation and land acquisition acts.

Addressing a largely attended rally at predominantly tribal belt of Nandurbar in north Maharashtra on the last leg of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Gandhi  said that if voted power in the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress  would bring in all such districts which have more than 50 per cent tribal population, they would be brought under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

Coming down heavily on the BJP government for doing “precious little” for the tribals in the country, Gandhi said:  “The Modi government has written off loans to the tune of a staggering 16 lakh crores



taken by 22 industrialists. But, it has not waived even one rupee of  loan taken by the tribals”  

Reiterating that his party would carry out caste census in the country, Gandhi said:   “Once we come to power, we will carry out a caste census and an economic and financial survey across the country. It will be a revolutionary step. We will have the exact data of each caste and its representation in the population”.

Questioning the BJP’s use of term Vanvasis instead of Adivasis, Gandhi said: “While Adivasi means those who are the real owners of “jal-jangal-jameen” (water, forests and land), while Vanvasis are those living in the forests. Adivasis account for eight per cent of the population in the country.  But, they do not enjoy the fruits of power.  Once we come to power, we will give them rights in commensurate with their population”