Perverted logic behind use of word 'Vanavasi': Rahul

CONGRESS leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday alleged that there was a perverted logic behind using the term 'Vanavasi' as it restricted people from tribal communities to the forests by denying them ownership of the country.

- 

"The word 'Vanavasi' denies the status of original owners of India and restrict you (tribal people) to the jungle. The idea behind 'Vanavasi' is that you belong in the jungle and never leave it. This is not acceptable to us. The word is a distortion of your history. It is the distortion of your tradition. And, it is an attack on your relation with the country," the Wayanad MP said after inaugurating the High Tension (HT) power connection at Nalloornad Ambedkar Memorial Cancer Centre in Mananthavady in Wayanad.

The Gandhi scion had first raised the issue a few days ago while addressing a meeting in Rajasthan. He had alleged that the BJP was insulting tribal communities by calling them 'Vanavasi'.