'It Denies That Tribals Are...': Rahul Gandhi Says 'We Do Not Accept The Word Vanvasi'

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi addressed tribal people in his constituency Wayanad, Kerala and said that the word 'Vanvasi' for them is not appropriate.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said the word 'Vanvasi' is not acceptable at all as it 'denies that tribals are original owners of India' and claimed that it restricts their access to the jungle. Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of Dr Ambedkar District Memorial Cancer Center in his parliamentary constituency Wayanad, Kerala, Gandhi said that tribals should never leave the jungle.  He said that the logic behind the word 'vanvasi' is perverted, adding that the entire planet should be open for the tribals.

"You (Tribals) should not be restricted and categorized. The entire planet should be open to you. This is one idea and there is another idea that uses the term 'Vanvasi'. We say Adivasi and the other side says 'Vanvasi'. And there is a perverted logic behind the word 'Vanvasi'. The word 'Vanvasi' denies that you are the original owners of India and it also restricts you to the jungle. The idea behind the word 'Vanvasi' is that you belong in the jungle and you should never leave the jungle. And this is simply not acceptable to us. We do not accept this word..," he said during his first visit to Wayanad after reinstatement as an MP.

Taling about tribal people's rights on land and forest, he said, "...Our Tribal brothers & sisters were the original owners of this country and that also implies that original owners of this country should be given rights on land, forest & should be allowed to do whatever they want..."

"I am very happy when I come to Wayanad. I have a relationship with the people regardless of the party they belong to. Of course, we have an ideological difference with the Left, but when I was disqualified, the entire Wayanad supported me. I consider Wayanad as part of my family," he added.

He also recalled his meeting with tribals in Rajasthan. "Few days ago, I held a huge meeting in Rajasthan where I spoke to the tribal community. Adivasi means a particular wisdom, a particular understanding of the earth, a particular relationship with the planet we live on. Our tribal brothers and sisters were the original owners of this country," the Congress MP said.