A WAY TO DELIVER JUSTICE

WHEN OUR CONSTITUTION MAKERS PROVIDED RESERVATION BENEFITS TO THE SCHEDULED TRIBES, THEY WANTED TO SAFEGUARD THE TRIBAL POPULATION WHILE ENSURING AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO PROGRESS. UNFORTUNATELY, RAMPANT CONVERSION HAS CREATED A SITUATION WHERE THE CONVERTS ARE AVAILING DOUBLE BENEFITS WHEREAS TRIBALS WHO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THEIR FAITH ARE DEPRIVED OF THE OPPORTUNITIES MEANT FOR THEM

- DEEPIKA SINGH

Justice is an important pillar of existence for any civilised society. The commitment to justice is very well manifested in India by the Preamble of our Constitution. In order to ensure justice, the Constitution makers have provided for the reservation policy as well as other benefits for various tribal communities for their development and upliftment. Certain criteria were taken into account when listing a community as ‘Schedule Tribes’, including geographical location, distinct cultural identity, traditional customs and judicial system, and social and economic backwardness. On the basis of these factors, various communities were listed in the 5th and 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

It is very discouraging to note that despite the significant constitutional safeguards, the tribal communities are still lagging behind and remain deprived of the rights to equal opportunities and respect. These communities exist in smaller and larger groups in different parts of the country since time immemorial. They are followers of Sanātana tradition. All these tribes follow some or the other Sanātana deities, though with their distinct lifestyle and cultures. They are worshippers of nature i.e. earth, water, fire, air, and space. Their various art forms like dance, painting, music etc. correspond with the Sanātana way of life. They are the real saviours of forests, water and land resources – they are, in fact, the backbone and protectors of the Sanātana society.