The Congress has accused the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh of planning to hand over 40% of the state’s forests to private entities. The party argues that this move intends to displace indigenous tribes from their ancestral homelands. Recently appointed Tribal Congress President, Vikrant Bhuria, accused the BJP of undermining the constitutional rights of tribes and seizing their lands. The MP BJP countered by dismissing the claims as baseless propaganda. However, Bhuria has yet to provide detailed evidence for his allegations.
During a press conference at the Congress office in New Delhi, Vikrant Bhuria emphasized, "Tribal people are the indigenous inhabitants of this nation. With a population of 120 million, they have the most rights over this land, yet their rights are being stolen. The BJP government of Madhya Pradesh is planning to privatize 40% of the forests. The government argues that these forests are ruined and should, therefore, be handed to private companies for development. But the real intention is to relocate tribes from forests where they cultivate land and graze their livestock."
Source: aajtak
Bhuria cited the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), stating, "Its aim is to strengthen self-governance in scheduled areas. No action can be taken without the consent of village assemblies, yet today, tribes are not even being consulted. Their lands are being seized for mining purposes, and those who protest are jailed." He mentioned the Forest Rights Act, pointing out that though forest committees can allocate land rights to tribes, in reality, they are receiving no such rights.
BJP's Rebuttal
The state media in-charge for BJP, Ashish Usha Agarwal, rejected Congress’ allegations, saying, "Spreading lies to create a sensation and malign Madhya Pradesh is the main agenda of Congress. Vikrant Bhuria is rarely seen in Madhya Pradesh, yet conducts press conferences from Delhi. The BJP has implemented the 'PESA Act' to empower tribes. Our government celebrates figures from Rani Kamlapati to Birsa Munda. We’ve launched the most initiatives for tribal mothers, sisters, and elders. Congress has only conducted emotional exploitation."
Background of the Dispute
Vikrant Bhuria, the son of former union minister and erstwhile state Congress chief Kantilal Bhuria, did not expound on his claims, which the BJP highlighted as a weakness in his statement. Conversely, Congress contends that the forest privatization policy will exacerbate hardships for the tribal community. This issue could introduce new tensions in Madhya Pradesh’s political landscape.
