Rahul Gandhi attacks ‘Vanvasi’ term at Vadodara tribal meet

Vadodara | Gujarat — Launching a sharp political attack ahead of local body elections in Gujarat, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused the BJP and RSS of attempting to redefine tribal identity, calling the term “Vanvasi” an assault on the history and rights of Adivasis.

Addressing a Tribal Rights Constitution Conference in Vadodara, Gandhi said the terminology used to describe tribal communities carries deep ideological implications. “Vanvasi means you were not the original owner, while Adivasi means this land—its water, forests and resources—belonged to you. This word ‘Vanvasi’ is an attack on the ideology of Birsa Munda,” he asserted.

Gandhi argued that tribal history is rooted in displacement and loss of land. “If you look back thousands of years, there is no dispute that the land belonged to tribals. Slowly, you were pushed away… and now in the 21st century, a new word is being imposed on you,” he said, drawing applause from the gathering.

He further alleged that development projects often come at the cost of tribal communities. “Whenever it comes to development, whose land is taken? The land of tribals. Whether it is for mines, statues or industries, tribals are the first to lose their land,” Gandhi said.

Targeting the ruling dispensation, he claimed that the ideological battle extends beyond language. “They stand against the ideas of Birsa Munda, B. R. Ambedkar, Jyotirao Phule and Mahatma Gandhi, but do not protect the values they stood for,” he alleged.

Raising concerns about environmental degradation, Gandhi warned that shrinking forests would further marginalise tribal communities. “You are being told to remain in forests, but forests themselves are disappearing. If forests vanish, you will be left with no option but to work as labourers,” he said, questioning the long-term impact of such policies.

The Congress leader also touched upon national economic and political issues, alleging that the central government had compromised on key sectors. Referring to agricultural policies, he claimed, “No Prime Minister has opened the agricultural sector like this before. If foreign goods enter our markets, small farmers will be devastate.”

Gandhi also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, “I can guarantee he will not debate me in Parliament. He has compromised.”