Shimla, August 19: All India Tribal Congress President Dr. Vikrant Bhuria has accused the BJP of being completely anti-tribal, expressing concern over the alleged atrocities being committed against members of the tribal community across the country.
Dr. Bhuria was addressing a programme organised at Rajiv Bhawan, Shimla, to mark the assumption of office by newly appointed Himachal Pradesh Tribal Congress President and Lahaul-Spiti MLA Anuradha Rana.
He said the Congress had enacted several laws to safeguard the interests and rights of tribal communities, but alleged that the BJP-led government at the Centre had failed to ensure that tribal people received the full benefits of these provisions. He further alleged that the BJP had shown a negative attitude towards tribal communities.
Referring to International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, observed on August 9, Dr. Bhuria said it was unfortunate that neither the Prime Minister nor BJP leaders had publicly spoken about the occasion.
He said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was committed to the development of tribal areas and resolving the problems faced by tribal communities. He added that Rahul Gandhi had emphasised the need to create strong leadership from within tribal communities.
Dr. Bhuria announced that a major tribal conference would soon be organised in Himachal Pradesh, with Rahul Gandhi being specially invited. He said there are currently 47 tribal Lok Sabha constituencies in the country and claimed that Congress has a strong presence in 15 of them. He expressed confidence that the Congress would form the government at the Centre after the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, with Rahul Gandhi becoming Prime Minister.
He also called upon Tribal Congress office-bearers to work with dedication to ensure the Congress returns to power in Himachal Pradesh in the next Assembly elections.
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, who attended the programme as a special guest, congratulated Anuradha Rana on her appointment and expressed confidence that the Tribal Congress would work unitedly to strengthen the party. He stressed the need to assign important responsibilities to hardworking party workers and called for an intensified membership drive, saying new and energetic workers should be given due respect and opportunities within the organisation.
Himachal Pradesh Congress President Vinay Kumar said Anuradha Rana had been entrusted with an important responsibility and noted that she had the distinction of becoming the first woman to head the state Tribal Congress. He expressed confidence that the organisation would gain further strength under her leadership.
In her address, Anuradha Rana thanked the central and state leadership as well as the state government for entrusting her with the responsibility. She said she would make every effort to fulfil the confidence placed in her. She highlighted issues concerning tribal areas, including restoration of Nautor rights and implementation of the Forest Rights Act, and said she would make every possible effort to address the demands of tribal communities.
MLA Kamlesh Thakur and several senior Congress leaders and office-bearers were also present on the occasion.
