The two-day “Jharkhand Tribal Festival” to commemorate World Tribal Day commenced on Wednesday in Ranchi with much enthusiasm showcasing the tribal culture, food and lifestyle.
The function was inaugurated by former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren and Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The Jharkhand CM expressed his disappointment over the condition of tribal people in the country claiming that the community is fighting for their survival. Mr. Soren stressed that tribal people are facing atrocities in different parts of the country.
Tribal groups from different States showcased their traditional dance, singing. They also discussed the problems of tribal society and other contemporary issues.
“Our tribal brothers and sisters in different parts of the country are forced to face harassment and are fighting for their existence. Be it, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu? Everywhere the tribal people are being harassed. In Manipur, thousands of houses have been destroyed, hundreds of people have been killed and the dignity of women is on stake,”Mr. Soren said at Bhagwan Birsa Munda Memorial Park-cum-Museum at Jail Road, the venue of the event.
He stressed on division in the tribal society and urged the tribal people to grow with unity. He pointed out the tribal society had to bear the pain of displacement and irrespective of the government in the Centre and the State, not much effort has been made on this front.
“How cruel is our system? Never even worked to find out where the people displaced by mines, dams, factories go? Eighty percent of people displaced by mines/industries/dams are tribal’s. We have been forced to go to big cities to wash utensils, raise children or do bonded labor in brick kilns. Lakhs of acres of land were given to coal companies without rehabilitating them. Our Jharia city has been burning for years but the coal companies and the Government of India are sleeping with oil in their ears,”Mr. Soren said.
‘Did not record tribal history’
He expressed his anger over the historians and accused them for not giving due respect to the tribal people in the society. Mr. Soren said that the “so-called mainstream historians” have also been unfair to the tribals people and they did not record tribal history, nor was the contribution of tribals in the development of the country.
Be it the war against the British or the struggle against the tyranny of moneylenders or the courage to die fighting as the last man. The historians have not given place to our forefathers, Mr. Soren added.
He stressed that the great culture of tribals needs to be seen with respect and they should not be seen as just poor people living in the jungle. He also said that there is a need to create a sense of respect and cooperation among the common people towards the tribal society.
“Being a tribal Chief Minister has its own meaning. I am well aware of the love I get from the tribals of not only Jharkhand but also from other parts of the country and the expectations they have from me. Let us celebrate our solidarity and resolve to move forward,”Mr. Soren said.
More than 200 stalls were put up at the venue where one could enjoy the tribal cuisines, listen to tribal music and dance apart from stalls with tribal clothes and handicraft. The inauguration also saw the release of 35 books on tribals and a postal stamp.
