S
Shruti Dasgupta
Guest
Convertees are going to face Tribal Wrath!!! A significant tribal protest is going to unfold in Delhi in February 2024. Who will protest? The Janjantiya Suraksha Manch (JSM) and thousands of tribals under it who are demanding the delisting of converted tribals from the ST Quotas!!! Why do they want a protest? They claim that a rice-bag convertee is no longer a Hindu! The JSM is an RSS-backed Vanvasi Kalyan Kendra affiliate. The movement is meant to ensure that only true tribals avail of the benefits under the ST quotas. It seems bad news is on the cards for those who converted to Christianity or Islam for monetary or minority benefits!! Let’s unlock the reasons behind the protest, the impact of religious conversions on tribal communities, and the broader implications of this demand for delisting.
PC Northeast Now
The JSM argues that rice-bag-converted tribals enjoy educational and financial support from churches and missionary institutions. Even the Muslim convertees are able to claim minority rights and quotas. Thus, those tribals who have stayed true to their tribal identity should not have to share quotas and benefits with those who have changed their faith. After all, the constitution of India gives only benefits to Hindu tribals and lower-caste individuals. Those that have changed their Hindu identity enjoy more benefits than the genuine tribals. Thus, this situation is creating disparities within the tribal community.
PC India.com
Reportedly, BJP leader Karia Munda claims that around 15-20% of tribals in Jharkhand have embraced Christianity. However, these converted tribals hold 80-90% of government jobs and high-ranking positions accorded to the ST quota. This is a significant disproportional occupation of benefits meant for the Tribals of India.
Many convertees benefit from foreign funds funneled through churches. However, they also claim ST reservation benefits.
The JSM national co-convener, Rajkishore Hansda, also pinpointed that benefits meant for the whole of the tribal community are being concentrated in the hands of a few well-connected converted tribals. He also pointed to the role of the Church in ensuring that Hindu tribals do not gain as much advantage as convertees!
PC The Times of India
The JSM organized a massive protest with thousands of participants for this particular cause in Jharkhand on Christmas eve. During the protest, many genuine tribals showcased their traditional attire and weapons to symbolize their tribal identity. The main objective of the protest was to bring the attention of the government to the gatekeeping of resources by converted tribals. It was the first step in voicing a demand to delist converted tribals and stripping them of reservation benefits meant for genuine tribals under the ST quota.
PC The Nationalist View
This is not a new protest or demand by tribals of Bharat! The issue of delisting converts has sparked several protests in various states of India. Many tribal communities are fed up with the rapid consumption of ST resources and benefits by converted tribals. These shameless convertees enjoy the dual benefits of tribal quotas as well as minority quotas! How can a Christian convertee call themselves a tribal of India? This is an oxymoron in itself?! How can a Muslim enjoy ST quota?! Have these individuals not lost the right to call themselves SC or ST by changing their faith?!!
States like Maharashtra and Gujarat are looking into the demand for delisting converted tribals. The issue is a genuine concern for Bharat and its tribal community. The rampant rates of conversion reflect a complex interplay of socio-religious dynamics that have a large political impact! Bharat needs to protect the rights and benefits of genuine tribal communities against those who gave up Hindu Dharma for petty benefits! Converted tribals enjoying tribal status are similar to a person enjoying illegal dual citizenship! Let’s hope the Jharkhand protest is able to get the right attention from the government. Let true Scheduled Tribes and their benefits be rescued from the clutches of conversion enthusiast and their puppet masters!
The post Jharkhand Tribal Protest Demands Delisting Of Converted Tribals from ST Quotas appeared first on The Jaipur Dialogues.
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The JSM’s Stand on The Rights of True Tribals
PC Northeast Now
The JSM argues that rice-bag-converted tribals enjoy educational and financial support from churches and missionary institutions. Even the Muslim convertees are able to claim minority rights and quotas. Thus, those tribals who have stayed true to their tribal identity should not have to share quotas and benefits with those who have changed their faith. After all, the constitution of India gives only benefits to Hindu tribals and lower-caste individuals. Those that have changed their Hindu identity enjoy more benefits than the genuine tribals. Thus, this situation is creating disparities within the tribal community.
ST Quotas: Numbers Don’t Lie!
PC India.com
Reportedly, BJP leader Karia Munda claims that around 15-20% of tribals in Jharkhand have embraced Christianity. However, these converted tribals hold 80-90% of government jobs and high-ranking positions accorded to the ST quota. This is a significant disproportional occupation of benefits meant for the Tribals of India.
Many convertees benefit from foreign funds funneled through churches. However, they also claim ST reservation benefits.
The JSM national co-convener, Rajkishore Hansda, also pinpointed that benefits meant for the whole of the tribal community are being concentrated in the hands of a few well-connected converted tribals. He also pointed to the role of the Church in ensuring that Hindu tribals do not gain as much advantage as convertees!
The 24th December Protest in Jharkhand
PC The Times of India
The JSM organized a massive protest with thousands of participants for this particular cause in Jharkhand on Christmas eve. During the protest, many genuine tribals showcased their traditional attire and weapons to symbolize their tribal identity. The main objective of the protest was to bring the attention of the government to the gatekeeping of resources by converted tribals. It was the first step in voicing a demand to delist converted tribals and stripping them of reservation benefits meant for genuine tribals under the ST quota.
PC The Nationalist View
This is not a new protest or demand by tribals of Bharat! The issue of delisting converts has sparked several protests in various states of India. Many tribal communities are fed up with the rapid consumption of ST resources and benefits by converted tribals. These shameless convertees enjoy the dual benefits of tribal quotas as well as minority quotas! How can a Christian convertee call themselves a tribal of India? This is an oxymoron in itself?! How can a Muslim enjoy ST quota?! Have these individuals not lost the right to call themselves SC or ST by changing their faith?!!
In Summary
States like Maharashtra and Gujarat are looking into the demand for delisting converted tribals. The issue is a genuine concern for Bharat and its tribal community. The rampant rates of conversion reflect a complex interplay of socio-religious dynamics that have a large political impact! Bharat needs to protect the rights and benefits of genuine tribal communities against those who gave up Hindu Dharma for petty benefits! Converted tribals enjoying tribal status are similar to a person enjoying illegal dual citizenship! Let’s hope the Jharkhand protest is able to get the right attention from the government. Let true Scheduled Tribes and their benefits be rescued from the clutches of conversion enthusiast and their puppet masters!
The post Jharkhand Tribal Protest Demands Delisting Of Converted Tribals from ST Quotas appeared first on The Jaipur Dialogues.
Continue reading...