"Power concedes nothing without a demand.' The struggle for justice must never be adjourned. The forces of injustice do not take vacations. Societies are not static in this regard. They await the political and civic energies of individuals who engage the arenas of power, multiply their numbers and emblazon in deeds and institutions the immortal principle that "Here the People Rule."
- Ralph Nader.
When people talk about the dreadful life of those adivasis who are still striving for a peaceful life, they originate a picture in their mind that, adivasis get reserved kota in every field, they are secured and many such things. No one knows what really they are and what do they get being the initial residents of land. They may seem to be in high spirits sometimes, but originally they are in a contemptible condition. Let’s have a look on them and their condition.
Tribal/Adivasis literally mean It is an idiom for varied set of racial and tribal group believed to be aboriginal population of India. In other words, the word ‘Adivasi’ carries a sense a specific sense of ownership over certain geographical regions. From the 1930, they were named as ‘Scheduled tribes’ and in Hindi as ‘Anusoochit janjati’. They have been struggling since a long time for their rights.
Besides of the fact that they are one of the most relevant people, they are given no importance. Infact, they are being marginalized. Goldi M George, a researcher says, “They are the people who actually maintain the perfect balance between culture and nature. They have democratic principle based on agreement. Then why don’t they get appropriate space in our society? That particular group (Adivasis) has the knowledge about adoration towards their ancestors. Many people on being concealed surrender themselves, but Adivasis are those people who fought for their right. They advocated themselves.”
Adivasi women and their life
You all must be very well acquainted about those gusting incidents happened with some adivasi women. A resident of Guwahati dragged a woman, member of the Assam Tea Tribe Students Association at Beltola Survey, because of violent clashes between participants of a rally taken out by the All-Adivasi Students’ Association, Assam (AASAA) and local residents of the city. Another incident in the same place, a young Adivasi woman ran down a Guwahati street naked, exposed by ethnic protesters, while leering city youths clicked away with their mobile cameras. The woman sprinted away from a large group of mocking men and ran on in panic till somebody threw her a piece of clothing.
These are all some of the petrified and wretched endeavors of those people. If we keep all these incidents besides, now no one dares to abuse a woman by any way says, researcher Goldi George. He adds “This was the very awful picture of an adivasi woman in those days when people had no knowledge about their rights and responsibilities. Now, no one even dares to do such offence to insult a woman. In fact, in Chhattisgarh, adivasi woman are given equal importance as men are and these women are now very smart in handling their household as well as well acquainted with the hottest news going on in the world.
Advocacy practice for Adivasis
Adivasis must be given importance and adivasi women must also be treated as humans because they are not culprits but they are the one, who follow their religion, follow their god with holy heart.
Adivasis are not as a general rule, regarded as impure by caste Hindus in the same way as Dalits are. But they continue to face prejudice as lesser humans; they are socially distanced and often face violent behavior from society. They are at the lowest point in every socioeconomic needle. Today the majority of the population regards them as ancient and aims at ruining them as peoples or at best integrating them with the mainstream at the lowest rung in the ladder. This is especially so with the rise of the fascist Hindutva forces.
Coming to exposure of tribal, let’s have a look over the media advocacy practice.
Media plays an important role in collecting people’s views and opinions, said Vijendra, one of the researchers of National centre for advocacy studies (NCAS). He says, “When we talk about media as an organisation, it includes adulteration, promoting consumerism, sensationalism, fast pace and creating space for citizen etc. He says, Adivasis have been advocating themselves for their rights and also fought many battles. Vijendra describes people centered advocacy as a mode of social action for influencing public policy.
Media and Adivasis
The space left in media for the issues related to social justice and rights, particularly for Adivasis is still there. According to Dr. Sacchidanand Joshi, Vice chancellor of Kushabhau Thakre University of journalism and Mass communication (KTUJM), media is the fourth pillar of the government. He says, “We all know that media was a mission in earlier days and now media is a profession with a missionary zeal. Talking about ethics and responsibilities of media regarding advocacy of tribal, he says, “Our society is an emotional one. It contains lots of feelings and emotions. We all have the right to inform and to be informed.”
Well known Journalist of Chattisgarh, Mr. Ramesh Naiyyar adds, “Now-a-days, focus of media is mostly on terrorism. Adivasis are getting very little space in media which is almost negligible. Media always presented tribal areas as a idealistic and free flowing place.” While describing about the nature of Adivasis, he added, “An Adivasi girl never worries because of a tiger but fears a man of a city. Adivasis cannot give advertisements, hence are given less space in media.”
All Indians were Adivasis living in jungles at some time in history; approximately 7 percent still do. Adivasis must be given appropriate space in society and consistently in media too. Those who have abandoned their ancestry, social activists or just communists at various stage of affiliation, no more wish to become Adivasis. Should not the government take appropriate steps to rehabilitate Adivasis before proceeding to take advantage of the mineral wealth of the forests, which the same adivasis took special care and converted it into national property? Should all those who are still Adivasis remain Adivasis forever? Should they remain the human equivalent of the dwindling Bengal Tigers? Or should they become an integral part of the society with modern education, jobs and homes?
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