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Why doesn’t the Indian Constitution use the word ‘Adivasi’? What is the truth behind it?
Adivasi is a heterogeneous tribal group in the Indian subcontinent. The term, derived from Sanskrit, was first coined by political activists in the 1930s to give these tribal people an indigenous identity, claiming that they were the original inhabitants of the region. Residents. However, the Indian government officially rejects this term and instead adopts the terms Scheduled Tribes and Janjati as defined in the Indian Constitution. According to statistics, the Adivasi community occupies a considerable position in the total population of India and Bangladesh. The Adivasi population in India is about 104.2 million, accounting for 8.6% of the total population.
Definition and Meaning of Adivasi
Adivasi is a term used to refer to various ethnic groups believed to be indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. Its literal meaning is "earliest inhabitants". Due to the diversity of their social and cultural backgrounds, different tribes in different regions have different degrees of identification with Adivasi.
“While some tribal communities in some areas call themselves Adivasi, the tribes in northeastern India prefer the term ‘Tribal’.”
Legal position and context of use
The Indian Constitution does not give Adivasi a specific legal status, and government officials are prohibited from using the term in official documents. Instead, these ethnic groups are legally identified using the term "arranged tribes". Behind this choice, in addition to considering the accuracy of the law, it also reflects the special status of tribes in society and the government's governance thinking on this group.
“Due to the strong socio-cultural and political significance of Adivasi, the term remains influential in public discourse.”
Diversity and regional variations in tribal identity
The identity of the Adivasi group varies in different regions. For example, the tribal people in central, eastern, western and southern India generally use the term Adivasi, while the tribes in northeastern India prefer to use "Tribe". or “Scheduled Tribe”. Such differences highlight the profound impact of geography, culture and historical background on identity.
Controversy over Aboriginal identity
India itself does not recognize the indigenous identity of the Adivasi people separately, but rather considers all Indians to be indigenous to the land. This view has led India to repeatedly reject the indigenous standards defined by other countries in international forums. For example, while India initially signed some international agreements on indigenous peoples, over time there has been a significant difference between India’s definition of indigenous peoples and the views of other countries.
Adivasi cultural and political influence in contemporary times
Today, the Adivasi community still faces many challenges, including land rights, cultural identity and economic development. These problems not only affect the survival of the Adivasi community, but also the harmony and diversity of the entire society. Scholars conduct Adivasi research from multiple perspectives, including archaeology, anthropology, and social history, in an effort to reveal its importance and influence in contemporary society.
Conclusion“Adivasi research is not only an exploration of its history, but also a profound reflection on its contemporary social and cultural conditions.”
In summary, the unofficial use of the term Adivasi reflects the special considerations given to this group in the Indian legal system, while the diversity of its culture and identity is deeply rooted in the texture of geography and history. In the future, how to balance these dynamic social relations to promote understanding and harmony among ethnic groups will be a key issue that will continue to be explored?
