Are tribals losing identity under BJP’s ‘vanvasi’ tag?

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has raised strong concerns over the Bharatiya Janata Party’s use of the term "vanvasi" (literally “forest dwellers,” often used to generalize tribal communities) for India’s tribal communities, accusing the party of attempting to erode their distinct identity. Speaking at a three-day tribal rights and empowerment camp organized by the Tribal Congress at Bhainsdehi, Singh emphasized that tribals are the original inhabitants of India and have long-standing cultural and spiritual traditions tied to nature.

According to Singh, the Constitution guarantees tribals the freedom to practice their faith and preserve their traditions, yet the BJP’s labeling of them as "vanvasi" simplifies and misrepresents their complex identity. He described the move as part of the party’s “narrow ideology” and “conversion politics,” suggesting that the label is being used more as a political tool than a genuine recognition of tribal heritage.

Singh further clarified that voluntary religious conversions should not be seen as problematic, but coercive or politically motivated conversions are unacceptable. He alleged that BJP often politicizes cultural and religious issues, such as cow protection, while the Congress had already taken administrative steps on such matters in the past.

Vikrant Bhuria, president of Adivasi Congress, highlighted that the camps aim to empower tribal communities, focusing on awareness of their rights and opportunities for socio-economic development. These initiatives, he said, are essential to preserving tribal identity, ensuring their voices are heard, and protecting their traditions in the face of political narratives that risk reducing their history to a simplistic label.

As debates over terminology and political narratives intensify, the question remains: can India’s tribal communities retain their unique identity amidst growing politicization, or will labels like "vanvasi" gradually reshape public perception and policy approaches toward them?