Bhopal, June 18: President Droupadi Murmu is currently on a five-day visit to Madhya Pradesh. Ahead of her visit, Jitu Patwari, the state president of the Congress party, expressed his concerns regarding the condition of the tribal community in a letter. He emphasized that the tribal population in the state remains distanced from mainstream development and rights.
In his letter to President Murmu, Patwari acknowledged her as the first tribal woman president of the country, noting that her life struggles and dedication to constitutional values serve as an inspiration for millions of tribal people. He pointed out that the tribal community in the state is surrounded by numerous challenges and is still far from the mainstream of development and rights.
Patwari highlighted that Madhya Pradesh has the largest tribal population in the country, with approximately 15.3 million scheduled tribe members, making up about 21% of the state’s total population. A significant portion of the nation’s tribal population resides in Madhya Pradesh. He reminded that the Constitution’s framers envisioned special protections for the tribal community, yet the development situation in tribal areas such as Jhabua, Alirajpur, Dhar, Badwani, Khargone, Mandla, Dindori, Shahdol, Umaria, Anuppur, Betul, Chhindwara, Seoni, and Shivpuri remains alarming.
Discussing the issues faced by tribal regions, the Congress leader stated, “Education is the most significant means for the advancement of the tribal community. However, the reality is that the literacy rate among the tribal community is considerably lower than the state average.” He also noted that healthcare services in these areas are in a critical state, with a severe shortage of doctors and specialists in primary health centers. Due to a lack of employment opportunities, many tribal youth are forced to migrate. Various studies have identified the scheduled tribe community as one of the most deprived social groups in the country, particularly in terms of health, education, and living standards.
Patwari further mentioned that crimes against women in tribal areas, human trafficking, land disputes, conflicts over forest rights, and the ineffective implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act continue to be pressing issues. In many cases, victimized families must navigate lengthy administrative processes to seek justice.
He urged the President to engage with representatives of the tribal community, social organizations, and elected officials during her visit to Madhya Pradesh and to direct the state government to take effective action.
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