BJP Wants to Confine Tribal People to Forests and Deny Them Education,’ claims Rahul Gandhi

GG News Bureau
Majuli, 19th Jan. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi alleged on Friday that the BJP intends to restrict tribal people to forests and prevent them from accessing education and other opportunities.

During his first public meeting in Assam as part of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Gandhi asserted that the Congress acknowledges the rights of ‘adivasis’ as the original inhabitants and owners of resources.

“We refer to you as adivasis, which means the first dwellers. The BJP refers to you as vanvasis, which means people who live in forests,” Gandhi stated.

He accused the BJP, which leads a coalition government in the state, of wanting to confine tribals to the forests and deprive their children of the chance to attend schools and universities, learn English, and establish businesses.

“We believe that what belongs to you should be returned to you. Your water, land, and forests should be yours,” Gandhi expressed, addressing the predominantly tribal gathering in the island district of Majuli.

The Yatra, led by Gandhi, began in Manipur on January 14 and will conclude on March 20 or 21 in Mumbai.

It is set to cover 6,713 km in 67 days, passing through 110 districts in 15 states. In Assam, it will continue until January 25, traversing 833 km across 17 districts.