Jharkhand polls: Rahul Gandhi makes 'anti-tribal' remark against BJP amid Congress’ own tribal 'ignorance'

PTC News Desk: Ahead of the Jharkhand Assembly elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi may have put himself in a difficult position by labelling the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as "anti-tribal." On October 19 in Ranchi, Rahul Gandhi stated, "The BJP calls tribals 'Vanvasi'." He went on to allege that "India's education system has only 10-15 lines about tribals." Rahul Gandhi seems to have made a serious mistake with this statement.

The BJP is now criticising Rahul Gandhi for his remarks. The party stated, "The education system Rahul Gandhi is referring to was actually built during Congress government. Congress ignored great tribal figures, including Birsa Munda and India's President Droupadi Murmu." 

By making this claim, Rahul Gandhi has unintentionally handed the BJP an opportunity to criticise the Congress's historical record. This is not the first time Rahul Gandhi has found himself in such a problem; he previously stated, "I know this system from within, and it has always been anti-Dalit."

Before the Jharkhand elections, Rahul Gandhi, in an attempt to appeal to tribal emotions, unintentionally harmed his own cause by claiming, "I studied in India's educational system. You'll only find 10-15 lines about tribals. What is their history? What is their way of life? There's nothing written about that... OBC is just a term used for you. Is that your name? Who decided you are backward? Your rightful place has been taken away. Where is the history of the farmers, labourers, carpenters, barbers, cobblers, who built this country?"

These remarks raised eyebrows, given that Rahul Gandhi received his education while the Congress was in power in the country. Following India's independence, the Congress party formed the education system, and Congress designed and managed the country's academic foundation. Ironically, Rahul Gandhi, the Congress leader, is now denouncing the system.

BJP leader Babulal Marandi responded harshly, saying, "Rahul Gandhi is correct that the Congress and the Gandhi family have ignored the history and culture of tribal communities for decades. The challenges, politics, and social standing of tribal people were never addressed. When Rahul Gandhi was in school, he noticed that even under the Congress government, tribal history did not receive a full chapter in textbooks. Only a few brief comments were made, which failed to adequately depict their hardships and history. This injustice to the tribal people occurred during Congress' rule, when their rich past was overlooked. But times have changed. I urge Rahul Gandhi to read today's books, in an era when the country is led by a leader who treats all communities equally."

Congress crushed the Jharkhand movement: Champai Soren

While expressing sympathy for Jharkhand's tribal community, Rahul Gandhi seemed to have forgotten that the BJP created states like Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. During the formation of Jharkhand, Congress ally and RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav famously said, "Jharkhand will be created over my dead body." He passionately opposed the establishment of the state. 

Champai Soren, a prominent tribal leader, too weighed in, saying, "Congress crushed the Jharkhand movement. In the 1951 Census, tribals were given respect, but by 1961, their significance was diminished. Just look at our history. This is why Congress can never be a true well-wisher of Jharkhand's tribals."

Land grabbing allegations against Hemant Soren

Hemant Soren, a Congress ally and Jharkhand Chief Minister, has also faced allegations of land grabbing from tribals. Meanwhile, in Karnataka, Congress is accused of looting hundreds of crores meant for tribals. Reports of financial irregularities at the Karnataka Maharishi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation (KMVSTDC) have surfaced, accusing the Congress government.

It has been claimed that funds meant for tribal development were diverted to distribute Rs. 200 per voter during the Bellary Lok Sabha elections. This is the same Congress party that has actively promoted illegal migration in Jharkhand's Santhal Pargana district, putting tribal communities in danger. The Jharkhand High Court has even criticised the Hemant Soren government on this issue. The state's tribal population is dwindling, which is cause for concern.