Jaipur- A fierce controversy has gripped social media platforms following a provocative post by Banswara-Dungarpur Lok Sabha MP Rajkumar Roat, who shared a map projecting a separate "Bhil Pradesh" state carved out of parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. The move has ignited a storm of reactions, with supporters lauding it as a step toward preserving tribal identity, while critics, including former BJP Minister Rajendra Rathore, have condemned it as a divisive political stunt threatening Rajasthan’s unity.
On July 15, MP Rajkumar Roat, a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Adivasi Party (BAP), took to X to reiterate the long-standing demand for a separate Bhil Pradesh state. In his post, he wrote, “ The demand for Bhil Pradesh has been raised since before independence because the culture, language, dialect, and customs of the people here are different from other states, and it is essential to preserve and protect tribal culture and civilization."
Roat further emphasized the historical context, referencing the 1913 Mangarh massacre, where over 1,500 tribal people, led by Govind Guru, were killed by British forces while advocating for a separate Bhil state. He stated, “ After independence, dividing Bhil Pradesh into four states was an injustice to the people of this region. To honor the 1,500+ martyrs led by Govind Guru, Bhil Pradesh must be established."
Roat argued that creating Bhil Pradesh is critical for safeguarding the unique cultural identity and addressing the socio-economic marginalization of the Bhil community. He urged the government to fulfill this demand, stating, " If the government is truly pro-tribal, it must fulfill the long-standing demand for Bhil Pradesh, which is essential for preserving the existence and identity of the tribal community."
The map released by Roat, which envisions Bhil Pradesh encompassing tribal-dominated areas across four states, has reignited a decades-old demand that traces back to pre-independence movements. The Bhil community, one of India’s largest tribal groups, has long sought a separate state to address issues of cultural preservation, economic development, and administrative autonomy.
The proposal drew a scathing response from former BJP Minister and ex-MLA from Churu, Rajendra Rathore, who condemned Roat’s map as a “shameful and unfortunate political stunt.” In a post on X, Rathore wrote, "The conspiracy to break Rajasthan’s pride, honor, and glory will never succeed." He further criticized the move as an attempt to sow division within the tribal community, stating, " The map released by MP Rajkumar Roat is a conspiracy to sow poison in the tribal community, falling under the category of treason, and the public will never accept it."
Rathore warned that such demands could fragment Rajasthan’s rich heritage, questioning, "If someone talks about Bhil Pradesh today, and someone demands Maru Pradesh tomorrow, will we divide our glorious history, heritage, and pride into pieces?"
The Bharatiya Adivasi Party (BAP) swiftly responded to Rathore’s criticism through its spokesperson, Dr. Jitendra Meena. In a pointed rebuttal on X, Meena wrote, "The people of Taranagar have already added four moons to your pride, honor, and glory. Labeling the Bhil Pradesh demand as treason to save your political ground is unfortunate." Meena defended the demand for Bhil Pradesh, highlighting the benefits of smaller states. He argued, "Smaller states have many advantages. Administrative efficiency increases as the government is closer to the people, decisions are faster, development projects are focused and effective, monitoring corruption becomes easier, promoting good governance, community unity, and cultural identity are strengthened, and economic resource management becomes simpler."
Citing examples of successful smaller states like Goa and Sikkim, Meena emphasized that Bhil Pradesh could serve as a model for better governance and development tailored to the tribal community’s needs.
The Bhil Pradesh demand is a long-standing movement advocating for a separate state for the Bhil tribal community, one of India’s largest indigenous groups, primarily residing in parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. Rooted in the early 20th century under the leadership of figures like Govind Guru, the demand seeks to create a state that preserves the Bhil community’s distinct culture, language, and traditions while addressing their socio-economic marginalization. Proponents argue that a separate state would ensure better governance, focused development, and protection of tribal rights, citing successful models like Goa and Sikkim. Critics, however, view it as a threat to regional unity and fear it could inspire similar demands elsewhere. The recent map released by MP Rajkumar Roat has brought renewed attention to this historical demand, intensifying debates over tribal identity and statehood in India.
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