'Adivasi vs Vanvasi': An Unsubstantial debate

 

 

 

The tribal communities of the country have remained at the centre of Indian politics, directly or indirectly, because of their position in the composition of Indian society, since civilizational period. In a recently re-instigated debate of 'Adivasi vs Vanvasi', the community has again being brought to the forefront of Indian politics. The debate, of course, was once again catalyzed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during his one of his 'Bharat Jodo' speeches.

 

 

 

 

But before we look into this debate, let us understand the shloka mentioned above. The above mentioned shloka is from Tulsidas's Ramcharitamanas. The shloka translates into meaning that, "The forest dwellers like Kol, Kirat, Bhil, make sacred beautiful and nectar-like honey by making beautiful cones and stuffing them and buns of tubers, roots, fruits and shoots."

 

 

Now going back to what Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in his speech about 'Vanvasi'. The Congress leader is reputed for making statements that resemble lack of in-depth study and facts. During his recent speech, Rahul Gandhi claimed that BJP intentionally addresses Indian tribals as 'Vanvasi' and portrayed the term in an absolute negative picture, which it actually isn't and there are facts to support this.

 

 

 

 

 

According to Rahul Gandhi 'Adivasi' is the right term to be used for Indian tribes as it refers to the people 'who were there in the country since the very beginning' and 'Vanvasi' on the other hand, is a divisive term whereby it is intended to convey to a particular community that they belong only to the forests. However, it seems, yet another time, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has lacked behind in his study of not only Indian society but also the Indian politics.

 

 

In response to the Congress leader's baseless statement, a video has surfaced on YouTube by the Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram explaining the significance of the term 'Vanvasi' for tribal communities as per their culture and the history of the word. The video starts with the fact that; "The tribal communities of India have been referred to with terms as 'Vanvasi' and 'Girivasi', since earlier times. As referred to in a verse from the Ramcharitamanas (the one mentioned above); 'Kol, Kirat and Bhil' which are important tribes of India have been referred to as 'Vanvasi' or real inhabitants of the forest.

 

 

 

 

 

The Ramcharitamanas or Tulsidas's version of the Ramayana is a literature that dates back to 1574 CE. Mughal Emperor Akbar was ruling the Mughal empire from Delhi when the literature was compiled. It is evident from the shloka that 'Vanvasi' is a respectable term used to refer Indian tribes since earlier times.

 

The video further shares that, "Besides, the Bharatiya society has also been referred to with the term 'Aranya Snaskriti' or 'Forest culture', which roots back to the notion that the Indian civilization has developed out of forests. The 'forest culture' gave birth to the values of 'Sarve bhavantu sukhinah' (May everyone be happy), 'Atithi Devo Bhava' (Guest is like God) and 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (The World is one family) that have become the core values of Indian society."

 

It further explained in the video that why exactly is 'forest culture' known as the basis of Indian civilization. "As the term 'Vanvasi' clearly signifies that the true custodians of forests is the 'Vanvasi community', since all their daily activities are largely dependent on the forests and the jungle ecosystem. Their identity, existence and development is all dependent on forests, which is why they have been conserving, protecting and even benefiting themselves from the entire forest ecosystem. This is why, the 'Vanvasis' are reputed as even the true possessors of forests."

 

Another reason why Rahul Gandhi can easily be accused of lack of knowledge about not only Indian society but also Indian politics is his minimal knowledge about how the Constitution of India was drafted and the tribal community was included as an inseparable part of the Indian society. The video goes on explaining that, "When India witnessed oppressive British Raj, it as for the first time when the term 'Adivasi' was used to refer to the tribal communities, instead of the term 'Vanvasi'. The term 'Adivasi' is not found anywhere in any of the ancient epics and scriptures and the practice to use the word is observed after the establishment of British rule in India."

 

The video further explains, "Even the Drafters of the Constitution of India have referred to the tribal communities of the country with the term 'Anusuchit Janjati' or 'Scheduled Tribes'. In fact the drafting committee chose the particular term for the community after rigorous debates where continuation of the British terminology for tribals; 'Adivasi', was also considered. However, the drafting committee concluded the debate stating that the term 'Adivasi' is divisive in nature."

  

The word 'Vanvasi' has interesting history and an emotional connect with the tribal community of the country. The debate of 'Adivasi vs Vanvasi' doesn't stand any factual grounds. The video concluded stating that Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram considers the word 'Vanvasi' as the most 'sanctified' term for the tribal community of the Indian land and shared the sentiment of tribal Indians about the word 'Vanvasi - the true owners of jungles'.

 

 

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