LS Polls: ‘BJP Wants To Give Your Land To Industrialists’, Rahul Gandhi Vows To Protect Tribal Rights In MP

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi while speaking at the tribal community said that the party will protect the community's rights and not give away the their land to industrialists like the BJP.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi kickstarted the party’s election rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Seoni with a focus on empowering the tribal community and advocating for their rights. Addressing the Adivasi community, Gandhi underscored their rightful claim to the country's wealth, water, forests, and land as the original landowners.

In his speech, Gandhi criticised the term ‘vanvasi’ (forest dwellers), highlighting its disregard for the community’s rich history, language, and way of life. He stressed the need for adequate representation of the Adivasi community in positions of power, pointing out the significant gap despite comprising 8 percent of India’s population.

 "...Adivasi means the original owners...The first owners have the right to the country's money, water, jungle and land. This is the fight of ideology...Adivasis constitute 8% of the population of the country...None of the owners of the biggest companies in India is an Adivasi..." he said.

  The Congress leader alleged the BJP has been purposely terming tribal people as 'vanvasis' instead of calling them 'adivasis' with a motive to uproot them from their land and snatch their first right on the water, forest, and land. They want to give their (tribals) land to industrialists, he claimed.

Highlighting the disparity, Gandhi remarked, "If Rs 100 is being spent on making the budget, then an Adivasi officer takes a decision worth 10 paisa. But the reality is that you form 8 percent of the population and were the original owners. This is the fight."

He reaffirmed Congress's support for the Adivasi community, citing the party's past efforts such as enacting laws like the Tribal Bill and legislations for land ownership to secure their rights. Contrasting Congress's approach with that of the BJP, he accused the latter of favouring billionaires like Adani at the expense of tribal land.

“This is the difference between Congress and BJP we brought out laws such as Tribal Bill, laws for land ownership to give you your rights. Indira Gandhi and the Congress government gave you back your land and its ownership. Whereas BJP has grabbed your land and given it to billionaires such as Adani at every opportunity,” said the former Congress president.

Referring to Congress's 2024 manifesto, Gandhi outlined revolutionary measures for the community, including financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh into the accounts of women from poor families and raising the salaries of ASHA and Anganwadi workers.

Drawing attention to the growing disparity in India, he highlighted the divide between billionaires and poor Indians struggling for employment and education. He urged voters to choose a government committed to collaborating with them to bring about positive change in the country.

“Two India are forming now- one is for the billionaires, who have the right to dream any dream they like and the other is for poor Indians who are unable to get any employment or proper education. So choose a government which is ready to partner with you to change the country,” said Gandhi.

The elections in Madhya Pradesh are scheduled to be conducted in four phases from April 19 to May 13.