Centre has ignored tribals, says former Commissioner of SCs & STs

By Gaurav Sharma

As blasts and attacks by Maoists are on the rise leading to anticipation of widespread operations by the government security forces, concerned citizens have begun to press for initiation of dialogue between the government and the anti-democracy radicals. Among many such voices, a prominent one is of Dr B D Sharma, Former Commissioner for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who feels that tribals suffer the most in the ongoing violence.

Talking to media in New Delhi's Press Club, a day after 41 para-military jawans and civilians were killed in a landmine blast triggered by Maoists in Chhattisgarh, Dr Sharma said that Centre can not shy away from its responsibility of ensuring welfare and protection of tribal people and therefore, it must make sincere efforts for dialogue with the Maoists.

Dr Sharma, who has long been working for the welfare of tribals, accused Union Government of abdicating its Constitutional responsibility by allowing the situation to degenerate from that of stray revolts in 1960s to 'warlike situation' at the moment.

Alleging that Centre is not committed to the cause of tribals, he said, "The Home Ministry always projects a position as if it is not in a principal position to guide the states in tackling the problems of tribals. How can this be? The executive power of a state extends to the Scheduled Areas subject to the provision of the Fifth schedule of Indian Constitution".

"It is unconstitutional if the government thinks that the problem of tribals is the matter of state and it can only assist the state governments", Dr Sharma added. He emphasized that government was largely unconcerned with the simmering discontent among tribals since the adoption of Indian Constitution.

Taking a swipe at Centre's perception that tribals are poor and they need development, Dr Sharma said, "Let it be known that tribal is not poor. He is deprived and disinherited in his own domain. The have had unbroken history of broken promises".

Highlighting the loopholes and inefficiency in Forest Rights Act, Dr Sharma said, "No step has been taken to implement this act which makes a tribal the owner of minor forest produce."

Dr Sharma, who was named by Maoist as one of the possible mediators between them and the Government of India, said that current situation is witnessing a virtual collapse of the regime for the tribal people.

He was of the opinion that tribal areas have been excluded from the general administration which is oppressive and discriminatory in nature. "Tribals are being exploited and suppressed by uses and abuses of land acquisition and public order", he remarked.

Dr Sharma also informed the media people that recently he had sent a letter to the President of India to request her to intervene immediately and earnestly to restore peace in the tribal region. In the letter, he has appealed to the President to persuade the central government to publicly state its special responsibility towards the tribals.