“WELCOME to Bhil Pradesh…” proudly proclaims 43-year-old Kantilal Roat, as he welcomes you to Dungarpur, one of the eight tribal-dominated districts in poll-bound Rajasthan. As the desert state gears up for its 16th assembly elections, the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), both seeded electoral contestants, appear to be trying their best to outwit each other on the mainstream political court. But away on the sidelines and below the eyeline, the steady rise of tribal identity politics in South Rajasthan, Dungarpur included, has thrown up several intrinsic challenges and questions, including a demand for a tribal state, ‘Bhil Pradesh’.
The ruling Congress, the BJP, the Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) and the Gujarat-based Bharatiya Adivasi Party (BTP) have fielded their candidates for the 25 seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes representatives. And the BAP, a new political outfit that birthed a split in the older BTP seems to have thrown down the gauntlet to the BJP and the Congress in the state’s tribal belt.
The tribal-dominated electoral belt comprises Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh and five other districts: Udaipur, Rajsa mand, Chittorgarh, Sirohi and Pali, which have significant tribal votes.
The intensity of BAP’s push has forced senior Congress and BJP leaders to frequently parachute to the tribal belt, armed with bags full of electoral promises.
Tribals account for 13.5 percent (2011 Census) of Rajasthan’s population. Among them, the Bhils are the oldest tribe, while the Meenas are the largest numerically. Among the other tribes are Damor, Dhanka, Garasia, Patelia, Seharia and so on.
This story is from the December 01, 2023 edition of Outlook.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 01, 2023 edition of Outlook.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Dera, Drugs And Despair
Punjab poll pitch is seeing interesting twists and turns this election season
Allure Of Hatefulness Beyond Hate Speech
Polarisation between the Hindus and the Muslims is an unappetising reality, an ugliness that will not go away even after the votes get counted
Shine Off Sonar Bangla
Since the ant displacement movements against the Left Front government in 2006-08, Bengal has seen increased corruption, communalisation of politics and the rise of welfarism
Carnatic Cauldron
For the BJP-led NDA, 400 paar will remain a dream if the South Indian states choose to look the other way
The Young & the Restless
A new crop of young Dalit leaders shine in Uttar Pradesh's political Armament
In The Name Of Ram
For the people of Hazaribagh, famous for its Ram Navamii, life is a tussle between peace, processions and politics
Shell Company?
The power play between the BJP and the BJD in Odisha appears to be an electoral gimmick. Post elections, they may have each other's back
Peak Season in the Pir Panjal
Politicians excel at stirring up emotions at election time, and Kashmiris are torn between responding with cries or slogans
Seeds of Betrayal
Forget about doubling their income, Haryana's farmers are living a life in penury
Capital Contest
Could an alliance of former foes prevent a hat-trick for the BJP in Delhi?