Rahul Gandhi Slams Modi Government’s Failure to Protect Tribal Rights, Urges Defence of Forest Rights Act in Supreme Court
As India’s opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi, takes to social media to express his concerns over the Narendra Modi government’s failure to protect the rights of tribals, the future of millions of Adivasi families hangs in the balance. Gandhi’s Twitter post accuses the government of disregarding the Forest Rights Act (FRA), passed in 2006 to correct a historic injustice and ensure tribals have control over their “jal, jangal and zameen” (water, forest, and land).
The law was meant to empower tribals by giving them rights over their ancestral lands, which would also help preserve India’s indigenous culture. However, Gandhi alleges that the government’s inaction has led to countless genuine claims under the FRA being arbitrarily rejected without review. This has put lakhs of Adivasi families at risk of eviction from their traditional lands, sparking widespread protests across the country in 2019.
To bring relief to these families, the Supreme Court had ordered a stay on evictions and called for a thorough review of rejected claims. But, Gandhi claims, the Modi government has failed to follow up on this decision, leaving lakhs of pending and rejected claims unaddressed. With the case set to come up before the Supreme Court again on April 2, Gandhi is urging the government to “act swiftly and defend the Forest Rights Act in court” to protect Adivasi rights and prevent the evictions that could lead to the displacement of entire communities.
The Modi government’s lack of action is a stark contrast to the proactive approach taken by the Congress-led government in 2006, when the FRA was first introduced. This is a worrying trend that needs to be reversed, and Gandhi’s urgent call to action is a stark reminder of the pressing need for the government to take immediate action to protect the rights of India’s indigenous communities.
As the debate around the future of India’s tribals continues, one thing is clear: the fate of lakhs of Adivasi families hangs in the balance. Will the Modi government heed Gandhi’s call to action, or will it continue to turn a blind eye to the plight of these vulnerable communities? Only time will tell.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rahul-gandhi-modi-govt-protect-tribals-rights-forest-rights-act-sc-9918793/
Category : India
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Publish Date: 2025-04-01 20:54:00
