Rahul Gandhi accuses BJP of seizing 'Jal, Jungle, Jameen' from tribals in Jharkhand

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a rally in Simdega, Jharkhand, on Friday, strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly attempting to seize vital resources from the tribal communities in the state. Gandhi focused on the issue of "Jal, Jungle, Jameen" (Water, Forest, Land), claiming that the BJP’s policies were designed to take away these critical assets from tribals. He emphasized that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP believes that these natural resources belong to the party, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and corporate entities, rather than to the indigenous communities who have historically depended on them. Gandhi claimed that the term ‘development’ was being misused by the BJP to justify the appropriation of tribal land and resources for industrialization and capitalist ventures.

Gandhi also expressed concerns over the BJP's treatment of tribals, particularly focusing on the term "vanvasi," which translates to "forest dwellers," a term used by the BJP to categorize tribal populations. He argued that this term is part of a broader attempt to undermine their rights and control over their lands. Gandhi contended that the government’s policies have shifted towards exploitation under the guise of development, pushing the interests of big corporations over the rights of tribals. He added that this strategy was not in the best interest of the tribal communities, who have deep connections to their land and natural resources.

The Congress MP also reiterated his criticism of the BJP’s attacks on the Indian Constitution, stating that the Constitution's foundational values were under constant threat from the ruling government. Gandhi suggested that the BJP was undermining the social and economic rights of marginalized groups, including tribals, Dalits, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). He argued that these groups needed stronger protection and representation, which, according to him, could be achieved through political and legislative efforts by a Congress-led government.

In his speech, Gandhi proposed significant reforms to the reservation system, which has been a contentious issue in Indian politics. He pledged that, if elected, the Congress would work to remove the 50% cap on reservation, a long-standing restriction imposed by the courts. Gandhi also proposed raising the reservation quotas for Scheduled Tribes (STs) from 26% to 28%, for Scheduled Castes (SCs) from 10% to 12%, and for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) from 14% to 27%. He argued that these changes were necessary to ensure that historically disadvantaged communities have more access to educational, employment, and political opportunities, addressing gaps in representation and opportunities.

Furthermore, Gandhi advocated for a national caste census, which would track the socio-economic status of various communities across India. He argued that this census would provide essential data to understand the participation and representation of tribals, Dalits, and OBCs in educational institutions, government services, and the broader economy. Gandhi suggested that the absence of such data has created an environment where policymaking cannot adequately address the specific needs and challenges faced by these communities. The caste census, he claimed, would be a crucial step in ensuring that India's policies are inclusive and reflective of the diverse needs of all its citizens. Gandhi’s rally in Jharkhand is part of his broader campaign ahead of the state’s upcoming assembly elections, scheduled for November 13 and 20, with the results to be declared on November 23.