Tribal student body opposes JSM’s proposed rally seeking delisting of converted tribals from ST list | North East India News
Tribal student body opposes JSM’s proposed rally seeking delisting of converted tribals from ST list | North East India News
The Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF) Saturday criticised the Janajati Suraksha Mancha (JSM) for planning to hold a rally in Tripura on Christmas seeking the delisting of converted tribals from the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list.
TSF President Samrat Debbarma and General Secretary Hamalu Debbarma said in a statement, “At its core, the Indian Constitution upholds the principles of equality and freedom of religion. The right to choose and practice one’s faith is a fundamental human right that should not be impeded upon by any group or organization. Any attempt to penalize or discriminate against individuals based on their religious beliefs goes against the fundamental ethos of our democratic society.”
The TSF president also said tribals have “historically faced marginalization and socio-economic challenges” and delisting them from the ST list based on “religious criteria” would set “dangerous precedents of discrimination”.
The tribal student body’s criticism comes amid assertions by the JSM that it would not be deterred from holding the rally despite criticisms.
According to the JSM, the movement for delisting converted tribals was first raised in 1966-67 under the leadership of MP Kartik Oraon. In 1970, the delisting demand along with the recommendation of the Joint Parliamentary Committee was submitted to the then prime minister, it added.
“We are holding rallies in different villages. So far, a total of 14 rallies have been held in the country. More rallies will be held. Another huge rally – Chalo Delhi – will be organised wherein at least five lakh people will participate and a memorandum will be submitted to the president,” senior JSM member Binod Kumbang said last month.
The Opposition CPI(M), Congress, and the TIPRA Motha have also termed the JSM demand as an effort to foment communal tension.
Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Sudip Roy Barman said the demand was floated to disturb peace and foment ethnic discord and tension in the state.
He added that while other parties are criticising the delisting demand, the ruling BJP was ‘mysteriously silent’ on the issue.
In a recent audio message, Tipra Motha leader Pradyot Kishore said the demand to delist converted tribals was made to divide tribals in the state along religious lines.
Nearly 30 per cent of Tripura’s 37 lakh population (2011 census) lives in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). Formed in 1982, the TTAADC encompasses nearly 70 per cent of the state’s geographical area.
