Understanding Development of ‘Girijans’ from Gandhian Worldview

On 9th August,2018 nations across the world observed the International Day of the World’s Indigenous people, to promote and protect the rights of indigenous people, who constitute 5 percent of the world’s population. As per United Nations report, Indigenous communities constitute 15 percent of the world’s poorest and represent more than 5000 different cultures. In India, the facts pertinent to Indigenous people are no different from the world scenario. The population of indigenous people in India is close to 8.6 percent as per 2011 census and 43 percent of the population lives in poverty. Indigenous people are always excluded from the mainstream development because of variety of reasons. During Independence movement, very few leaders have spoken about the development of tribes. In this context, it would be interesting to understand the Gandhi’s views on development of Indigenous people, whom Gandhi called as ‘Girijans’.

Mahatma Gandhi for long time did not consider the problems of tribes different from the problems of Dalits, though there exists a significant difference. While the problems of Dalits are rooted in discrimination, the problems of the tribes are rooted in the exclusion from the mainstream society. All through his fight against British, Gandhi built his constructive program of social services which acted as an advisory for his followers who were working for development of the marginalised. He adopted the term ‘Sarvadoya’ which means the ‘rise of all’ and included all the marginalised people into the same category. In order to understand the Gandhi’s views on tribal development, it is necessary to delve to the work of Gandhians among tribal communities.

A.V. Thakkar was a Gandhian, who spent significant time for welfare of Bhils, through ‘Bhil Seva Mandal’, spent time in the Bombay-Gujarat for more than 10 years after a severe famine. Many followers of Gandhi who were educated and trained at ‘Gujarat Vidyapeeth’, went to different parts of India and worked for the cause of Sarvodaya. Gandhi’s opinion on the welfare of tribes was the result of his association with Thakkar Bapa, who influenced Gandhiji to include the tribes in his 18-point constructive program. In the initial list of the constructive program, the Gandhi neglected the tribes and upon the complaint raised by Thakkar Bapa, which Gandhi termed as just, it was included. According to AV. Thakkar, the main problems of tribes are poverty, health and illiteracy. The solution to this problem could be: 1) Village Republics

2. Non- Village Method of Dealing

3. Purity of Means

4. Basic Education

5. Appropriate technology

6. Voluntary Organisations