Ahead of the Jharkhand Assembly elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has sparked controversy with his recent remarks labeling the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as “anti-tribal.” Speaking in Ranchi on October 19, Gandhi claimed, “The BJP calls tribals ‘Vanvasi,'” and criticized India’s education system for only dedicating “10-15 lines about tribals.” These comments have drawn sharp criticism from the BJP, which has accused Gandhi of contradicting Congress’s historical neglect of tribal issues.
The BJP has hit back at Rahul Gandhi, pointing out that the education system he criticizes was largely developed under Congress rule. The party emphasized that Congress has historically neglected great tribal figures, from freedom fighter Birsa Munda to the current President of India, Droupadi Murmu. By highlighting these figures, the BJP seeks to demonstrate that Congress, during its long tenure in power, did little to honor tribal leaders and their contributions to India.
This incident is not the first time Rahul Gandhi has faced backlash for his remarks. In the past, he described the system as “anti-Dalit” and, more recently, spoke about the lack of tribal representation in the country’s history. While attempting to appeal to tribal sentiments before the elections, Gandhi’s remarks seem to have inadvertently provided the BJP with ammunition to attack Congress’s past failures on tribal issues.
In his speech, Gandhi lamented the lack of historical recognition for tribal communities, questioning, “What is their history? What is their way of life?” He added that the term “OBC” (Other Backward Class) is merely a label and questioned who decided the designation of backwardness. Despite his intentions to criticize the BJP, Gandhi’s remarks have opened a debate on Congress’s role in shaping India’s educational curriculum.
BJP’s Sharp Response
BJP leader Babulal Marandi sharply criticized Rahul Gandhi’s remarks, acknowledging that Congress had, indeed, overlooked tribal history and culture for decades. Marandi pointed out that Gandhi’s comments about the lack of tribal history in school textbooks reflect the Congress party’s neglect of tribal issues during their rule. The BJP has taken this opportunity to remind voters that Congress failed to properly present the rich legacy of tribal communities in India’s educational system.
Marandi specifically called attention to the great tribal leader Birsa Munda, who sacrificed his life for the freedom and rights of tribal communities. He criticized Congress for failing to honor Birsa Munda during their reign, noting that it took Prime Minister Narendra Modi to finally visit Munda’s village and pay respect to his legacy. The BJP plans to dedicate 2025 to honoring Munda’s contributions, ensuring his story is widely recognized across the nation.
Criticism of Congress’s Tribal Record
Rahul Gandhi’s comments also reignited criticisms of Congress’s approach to tribal rights. The BJP has reminded Gandhi of the party’s opposition to the formation of states like Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, with Congress ally Lalu Prasad Yadav famously declaring, “Jharkhand will be created over my dead body.” Prominent tribal leader Champai Soren also criticized Congress, accusing the party of crushing the Jharkhand movement and diminishing the significance of tribal communities by the 1960s.
Furthermore, allegations against Congress’s ally and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren have surfaced, accusing him of land grabbing from tribal communities. In Karnataka, the Congress government faces allegations of misusing funds meant for tribal development during the Bellary elections. These controversies have further complicated Congress’s position on tribal issues.
The BJP’s Counter-Narrative
As Rahul Gandhi faces criticism for his remarks, the BJP has seized the opportunity to highlight its efforts to honor tribal leaders and improve the representation of tribal communities. By reminding voters of Congress’s historical failures, the BJP is likely to leverage this narrative in the upcoming Jharkhand elections.
Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to appeal to tribal voters may have backfired, offering the BJP an opportunity to reinforce its position as a party that respects and uplifts tribal communities, while reminding the electorate of Congress’s past neglect. As the elections approach, this controversy may play a significant role in shaping the political landscape of Jharkhand.
