Have India's tribal leaders failed their people?

India has the largest tribal population in the world. Tribals number 8.6 per cent of its total population. They are also among the country's most marginalised. Why has India's political democracy not given its tribals their due? What is in India's political system that prevents the tribal voice from being heard? Or have tribal representatives in the high echelons of India's politicaldom failed their constituencies? What exactly is wrong?

'Maps of resource-rich, poverty stricken tribal India overlap'

Which areas in India are most prone to ethnic conflict? These days unrest begins in Nepal, and proceeds down along forest lines to Kerala; from north Maharashtra it spreads to the east coast. Maps of forest-laden India, poverty-stricken India, illiterate India, and natural resource-rich India overlap. These areas are also coterminous with tribal India, a realm prone to ethnic conflicts. What are the main reasons for the unrest? Interviewee:  Ram Dayal Munda

The Northeast's power burden

on august 30, while inaugurating a hydropower project at Omkareswar in Madhya Pradesh, Prime Minister (pm) Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared that every village in the country would be electrified by 2007 and every house illuminated by 2012. The announcement -- intended to project a bright future -- plunged the northeastern states into gloom. For, it would bring a fresh wave of environmental devastation to the region.

"Tribal leaders are mere pawns in politics"

Chekkottu Kariyan (C K) Janu is an adivasi leader in Kerala. She is on bail after she was imprisoned for more than 40 days for leading an agitation demanding tribal rights over the Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary in Wayanad district in Kerala (See: The truth about Muthanga).

"I will get the Koel-Karo project reviewed"

What are the most important issues for tribals in your area? I would say education, poor living standards, the need for sound water management, and improvement in the communications infrastructure. There is a lot of discontentment among tribals in Jharkhand against the forest department over the issue of unsettled claims and encroachment upon forestlands. What have you done to resolve this?

"Police firing will keep happening"

What are the most important issues for tribals in your region? Are they the same as they were 50 years ago?

Joba Majhi

You publicly demanded regularisation of land taken over by the tribals in Singhbhum. You made it a precondition for joining the Arjun Munda cabinet Yes. It is their land. They have their ancestors' tombstones to prove it. I have been demanding a resolution to this issue for a long time. The forest department dismisses their claims. Who will resolve this dispute?

Yamuna Singh

Why are there so many disputes over forestland in the state? Why are tribals pitted against the forest department?

Shibu Soren

What are the most important issues for the tribals in your area? Unemployment, migration and lack of development. You were part of the protest against the Koel-Karo project. Would you scrap the Koel-Karo project if you come to power? I did support the movement against the project. But I don't want it scrapped. I would get it reviewed and find out how much local people would benefit it. Is the legal protection for tribals adequate?

Niral Enem Horo

You have spent a lifetime struggling for Jharkhand. How does the new state look to you? This is not the Jharkhand that we fought for. That included 22 districts including those in West Bengal, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. What's your stand on the Koel-Karo project?