Ahead of the Jharkhand Assembly elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi may have landed himself in a tough spot by labeling the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as anti-tribal. On October 19 in Ranchi, Rahul Gandhi said, The BJP calls tribals 'Vanvasi'. He went further, claiming that India's education system has only 10-15 lines about tribals. This statement seems to have been a major misstep by Rahul Gandhi.
The BJP is now attacking Rahul Gandhi over these remarks. The party pointed out, The education system Rahul Gandhi is referring to was actually developed under Congress rule. It was Congress that neglected great tribal figures, from Birsa Munda to India's President Droupadi Murmu. By making this statement, Rahul Gandhi has inadvertently given the BJP an opportunity to criticise Congress's historical record. This is not the first time Rahul Gandhi has found himself in such a situation; earlier, he had said, I know this system from within, and it has always been anti-Dalit.
Before the Jharkhand elections, Rahul Gandhi, in an effort to appeal to tribal sentiments, inadvertently harmed his own cause by stating, I studied in India's education 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?
Given that Rahul Gandhi received his education during a period when Congress ruled the country, these remarks have raised eyebrows. After India's independence, the Congress party established the education system, and it was Congress that crafted and managed the country's academic framework. Now, ironically, it is Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who is criticising that very system.
BJP leader Babulal Marandi responded sharply, saying, Rahul Gandhi is right that Congress and the Gandhi family ignored the history and culture of tribal communities for decades. The struggles, politics, and social status of tribals were never given prominence. When Rahul Gandhi was in school, he saw that even under Congress rule, tribal history was not given a full chapter in the textbooks. Only a few incomplete mentions were made, failing to properly present their struggles and history. This injustice to the tribal community happened under Congress's governance, where their rich legacy was sidelined. But times have changed now. I urge Rahul Gandhi to look at today's books, in an era where the country is led by a leader who respects every community equally.
Who Took Away Tribal Rights? BJP Reminds Rahul Gandhi of Congress's 'History'
The BJP has reminded Rahul Gandhi of Congress's history, calling attention to their neglect of tribal rights. Babulal Marandi pointed out that even the great tribal leader, Birsa Munda, was ignored during Congress rule. Birsa Munda, who sacrificed his life for the freedom and rights of the tribal community and the country, was never appropriately honored during Congress's reign. No Congress leader or Prime Minister visited his village to acknowledge his sacrifice.
However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ended this injustice, becoming the first PM to visit Birsa Munda's village and pay proper respect. The BJP has decided to dedicate 2025 to honouring Birsa Munda's legacy and struggle for freedom, ensuring his story reaches every citizen of the nation.
Rahul Gandhi also mentioned India's first tribal woman President, Droupadi Murmu, accusing the BJP of not inviting her to the Ram Temple inauguration ceremony. However, what he conveniently forgot was that his own Congress party fielded Yashwant Sinha against Droupadi Murmu in the Presidential election. Social media users have been quick to point this out, questioning Congress's sincerity.
'Congress Crushed the Jharkhand Movement'While showing sympathy for Jharkhand's tribal community, Rahul Gandhi seems to have forgotten that it was the BJP that carved out states like Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. During the formation of Jharkhand, Congress ally and RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav famously declared, Jharkhand will be created over my dead body. He vehemently opposed the formation of the state.
Prominent tribal leader Champai Soren also weighed in, stating, 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.
Allegations Against Hemant Soren: Land Grabbing from Tribals and Corruption in Karnataka
Allegations of land grabbing from tribals have also been leveled against Congress's ally and Jharkhand CM, Hemant Soren. Meanwhile, in Karnataka, Congress faces accusations of looting hundreds of crores meant for tribals. Reports of financial irregularities in the Karnataka Maharishi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation (KMVSTDC) have surfaced, implicating the Congress government.
It has been alleged that funds meant for tribal development were used to distribute Rs. 200 per voter during the Bellary Lok Sabha elections. This is the same Congress party that, in Jharkhand's Santhal Pargana region, has systematically facilitated illegal migration, pushing the tribal population into a dangerous situation. The Jharkhand High Court has even reprimanded the Hemant Soren government over this matter. The declining tribal population in the state is a growing concern.
In this context, Rahul Gandhi's remarks have not only reignited BJP's critique of Congress's historical neglect of tribal rights but also exposed the contradictions in Congress's recent political stance. As BJP continues to attack Congress on its failure to honour tribal icons like Birsa Munda and Droupadi Murmu, the party will likely leverage this narrative in the upcoming Jharkhand elections.