If tribal society survives, Sanatan Dharma will survive: Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram chief

Scheduled Tribes should get their rights and benefits, he said, stressing the need for delisting people who convert to Christianity or other religions from the ST category.Referring to the legacy of Birsa Munda, Singh said the tribal icon fought simultaneously against British rule, social exploitation and attacks on indigenous traditions.Whenever discussions take place about the great personalities who gave direction to the tribal society and the nation, one name emerges prominently -- Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

The national president of RSS affiliate Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Satyendra Singh, on Sunday described a tribal cultural conclave in Delhi as the ''Kumbh of tribal society'' and asserted that the survival of tribals is essential for the protection of Sanatan Dharma.

Addressing the 'Janjati Sanskritik Samagam' organised at Red Fort grounds to mark the 150th birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda, Singh said tribal culture represents the soul of India and stressed the importance of preserving tribal identity.

''If tribal society survives, Sanatan Dharma will survive. If tribal culture survives, India's culture will survive,'' he said.

''The tribal community is the protector and carrier of Sanatan culture and civilisation,'' Singh added.

He also raised the issue of conversion of tribals to Christianity and other religions, saying it is not only destroying tribal culture but also affecting the constitutional rights of the community.

''The government should sit together and find a solution to this issue. Scheduled Tribes should get their rights and benefits,'' he said, stressing the need for delisting people who convert to Christianity or other religions from the ST category.

Referring to the legacy of Birsa Munda, Singh said the tribal icon fought simultaneously against British rule, social exploitation and attacks on indigenous traditions.

''Whenever discussions take place about the great personalities who gave direction to the tribal society and the nation, one name emerges prominently -- Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Today, not only the tribal society but the entire nation bows before him with reverence,'' he said.

''Birsa Munda carried out three major tasks simultaneously. He fought against British slavery, awakened society spiritually and socially through his teachings, and inspired people to protect their culture and traditions,'' Singh said.

Praising the participation of tribal communities from across the country, he said the event reflected the deep cultural consciousness of the community and its commitment to preserving its heritage.

The Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram chief also said that tribal traditions are deeply connected to forests, nature and community life, and warned that attempts to weaken tribal culture will damage the country's civilisational roots.

''The essence of this country's traditions lives in the forests and in the lives of the forest-dwelling communities,'' he said.

Asserting that the tribal society considers its traditions and identity ''dearer than life'', he said, ''Tribal society will never stand with those who try to destroy its culture and values.''.

On tribal rights, Singh reiterated the community's long-standing demand for protection of ''jal, jungle aur zameen'' (water, forests and land).

He said tribal communities are ready to work with the government for national development while preserving their cultural identity.

''The tribal community is ready to walk shoulder to shoulder with the government for the progress of the nation,'' Singh said.

Referring to India completing 100 years of Independence in 2047, he said that tribal society wants to contribute to building a culturally rooted and developed India.

''We have taken a resolve that when India completes 100 years of Independence in 2047, nobody will be able to stop this country from becoming a truly developed and culturally rooted Bharat,'' he said.

''If you look at tribal culture, you will realise that it is meant to survive and guide the future. Therefore, protecting tribal culture is the responsibility of everyone. If tribal culture survives, it will lead the nation to greatness. I firmly believe this,'' Singh added.

Ganesh Ram Bhagat, national convener of Janjati Suraksha Manch, which organised the event, said the impact of religious conversion is increasing rapidly among the tribal communities and described it as a ''cancer'' for society.

National co-convener of the Janjati Suraksha Manch, Raj Kishore Hansda, said, ''Those who have converted will never be accepted by us. If we convert, our culture will be destroyed.''