Tribal Affairs in India: The Crucial Transition

The book concerns the struggle for survival of more than eight million tribal people in India. They comprise more than three hundred communities, small and big, at different stages of so called development right from hunters and gatherers, at the one end, through shifting cultivators, traditional farmers, on to those caught in the whirl of industrialisation. Our Constitution, particularly the Fifth Schedule presents a near ideal frame for managing the crucial change. It in one of the most difficult tasks in the history of humankind, telescoping the process of change spanning thousands of years into a few decades and enabling the people to develop according to their own genius. The book presents a historical perspective and the grand vision of our founding fathers. It critically analyses the great confusion, which has prevailed ever since as also the stark unconcern of the rulers and callous dereliction of duty on their part. Even Constitutional bodies have faltered in their assigned tasks. It has caused irreparable damage to many a people. Some weakest groups are on the verge of extinction. This disastrous phase may prove to be an interlude for many a people if the potential of the Fifth Schedule frame may be realised. The people are asserting their rights. Some positive responses from the State may also help such as creation of space for the community and its tradition specifically in the Constitution and its affirmation and elucidation by the Supreme Court. However, the latest reaction of the State, under duress of international forces about the command over resources, has put a big question mark on the very survival of the tribal people. If unchecked it may prove to be the worst betrayal of people in history. The relevant constitutional conventions, the historic Judgement of the Supreme Court and the lists of the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Areas are also reproduced for handy reference. The first authoritative book on relevance of the Fifth Schedule in tribal affairs. It is a must for administrators, activists, scholars and political works who are concerned about the future of our country particularly the fate of disadvantaged groups caught at some niches like the Scheduled Tribes.