Tribals in safe hand under Modi Govt: Shaiza
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, September 24 2022: Expressing his optimism that the BJP government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not renege on its commitment to safeguard the rights of the tribals, BJP Ukhrul tribal leader and social activist Michael Shaiza has stated that the government is concerned about improving the lives of the tribals through different legislations and development programmes.

"The incumbent government is very serious in formulating and addressing the grievances of the tribals, their welfare and well-being which' are paramount for the government," said the BJP Manipur Pradesh Political Programmes & Meetings co-in-charge in an interaction with the media in Ukhrul town on Saturday.

Drawing example from the recent election of Droupadi Murmu as the President of the nation, he stressed that for the first time in the history of independent India, the saffron party has elected a tribal woman to the top post of the country.

"This is evident that the BJP led NDA government is bringing change in the lives of tribal communities," he asserted.

According to Michael Shaiza, he is confident that the present government would resolve the prevailing tribal issues, by tackling them on priority basis.

"Under the leadership of our PM Modi, the constitutional rights of the tribals are in safe hands and the government will make sure that the rights of the tribals are not deprived and misused by the majorities," he said.

He also conveyed that all the tribal communities of the country should be allowed to enjoy the constitutional rights enshrined in the Constitution of India.

"I'm hopeful that the government and its judiciary are willing to protect, preserve and uphold the rights of the tribals which are vital in easing the lives of the minorities".

Citing the Constitution of India, Shaiza continued that the Article 46 entrusts the state to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and, in particular, of the Scheduled Tribes, and protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.

"Accordingly, it is the responsibility and duty of the central and state governments to ensure the welfare and well-being of the tribals without any favouritism/nepotism and biasedness and protect the rights of the tribals," he stated.

At the same time, Shaiza observed that tribal representatives and leaders need to be well versed with the constitutional rights of the tribals, so that they may be able to enforce and fight for their legitimate rights.

According to the BJP's tribal leader, the Article 332 of the Constitution of India provides for reservation of seats for the Scheduled Tribes (ST) in the legislative assemblies of the states.

Similarly, the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 recognises the rights of the forest dwelling tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers to forest resources, on which these communities were dependent for a variety of needs, including livelihood, habitation and other socio-cultural needs in India.

He further pointed out that the rights provided to tribals under the FRA seek to secure individual and community ownership on landholding, exploitation and habitation in forests by indigenous people in India.

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