Tribal Society in India after Independence : Problems, Policies and Possibilities/ স্বাধীনোত্তর ভারতের আদিবাসী সমাজ : সমস্যা, নীতি ও সম্ভাবনা

Abstract

In post-independence India, the issues related to the development of the tribes have been evolved into one of the country's most complex and multifaceted challenges. At its core lay the dilemma of integrating tribal communities into the national mainstream while preserving their distinct identity and cultural heritage. During the colonial period, the deliberate isolation of tribal groups was largely driven by political motives. In contrast, independent India, through its Constitution and various Five-Year Plans, envisioned economic and political upliftment for the tribal population. To address tribal concerns, several practical measures were undertaken, such as the implementation of land rights, agricultural development, amendments to forest conservation laws, provision of healthcare, industrialization in tribal areas, and improvement of transportation infrastructure. However, the effectiveness and outcomes of these efforts remain subjects of deep analysis and debate. Another key issue was the tendency of post-independence policy makers to club Dalits and tribals under a single category for policy formulation. However, it is essential to recognize that tribals and Dalits are fundamentally different in many respects — socially, historically, and culturally. Understanding the place of tribal communities in post-independence India requires a careful examination of the contemporaneous debates that shaped such policies. Globally, the lifestyle and cultural identity of indigenous peoples have been subjects of significant disagreement and discourse. In India too, two major ideological perspectives emerged regarding the role and integration of tribal communities within the broader society. One perspective advocated for granting tribals the right to live independently, with autonomous control over their traditional territories, free from external interference. The opposing view emphasized rapid assimilation of tribal communities into the broader socio-economic fabric of Indian society - even if it meant the erosion or eventual disappearance of tribal ways of life. According to this view, such assimilation should be welcomed as a sign of ‘progress’. Jawaharlal Nehru, however, took a more nuanced stance. Through his policy of ‘Panchsheel’, he opposed forced assimilation and instead encouraged the organic growth of tribal communities in accordance with their innate creative capacities. His vision was to ensure tribal development in a democratic and culturally sensitive manner, enabling them to rise from backwardness without compromising their identity and traditions. This article presents a comprehensive review of these issues and perspectives, shedding light on the evolving approaches to tribal integration and development in post-independence India.