Ranchi- More than 60 tribal rights organizations and prominent Adivasi-Moolvasi leaders from Jharkhand have issued a joint appeal, calling for a complete boycott of the 'Janjati Cultural Samagam' (Tribal Cultural Confluence) scheduled for May 24, in Delhi. The event is being organized by the Janjati Suraksha Manch. While the organizers claim that 1.5 lakh Adivasis from across the country will participate to showcase tribal culture and traditions, the appellant organizations have termed the event's underlying motive as "anti-Adivasi."
The joint appeal states that the Janjati Suraksha Manch is an organization linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram. The appellants argue that these organizations believe Adivasis are Hindus and part of the caste-based Varna system. Consequently, they never use the term 'Adivasi' and instead view tribal communities as 'Janjati' or 'Vanvasi', placing them at the lowest rung of the Hindu Varna hierarchy. The appeal alleges that the Manch is working to destroy the independent existence of Adivasis by promoting the slogan "Sarna-Sanatan Ek" (Sarna and Sanatan are one), while simultaneously demanding the de-listing of Christian Adivasis from the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list, thereby fragmenting tribal unity.
The appeal highlights that the Adivasi community has long demanded formal recognition for their independent religious system (known as 'Sarna' in Jharkhand) and a separate code in the census. The Janjati Suraksha Manch and affiliated organizations are accused of opposing this demand. Furthermore, the appellants claim that these organizations have never supported the Adivasi struggle for Jal, Jangal, Zameen (water, forest, land). On the contrary, the RSS's political arm, the BJP-led central government, is accused of consistently weakening the constitutional and legal rights of Adivasis, including their autonomy over natural resources.
The appeal asserts that the RSS has a self-declared agenda to transform India into a 'Hindu Rashtra', where upper-caste Hindus would be first-class citizens and all others, including Adivasis, would be reduced to second-class citizens. The appellants argue that the political and ideological influence of the RSS, Janjati Suraksha Manch, and the BJP has faced strong resistance in Jharkhand in recent years. As a result, the appeal claims, these forces are now making a concerted effort to erase the independent identity of Adivasis. The 'Janjati Cultural Samagam' is described as a conspiracy in this very direction.
The joint appeal, signed by over 60 Adivasi rights organizations, urges all Adivasis in Jharkhand to completely boycott the 'Janjati Cultural Samagam' on May 24 and also boycott the organizing body, Janjati Suraksha Manch. Additionally, it calls on the community to organize public meetings, discussions, and other programs to register their strong opposition to the event and its organizers.