By I P Sarto
Dumka, Oct 13, 2023: The tribals irrespective of their religions and languages need to assert their human right as “Adivasis” (indigenous people), said Gladson Dungdung, a human right activist from Ranchi, capital of Jharkhand state.
He was addressing the convention of the animators of the Basic Ecclesial Communities from 20 dioceses on October 13 at Dumka, a town in Jharkhand some 250 km northwest of Kolkata.
Today the tribals are divided due to religion, political affiliation, belonging to various language groups and thought patterns, regretted Dungdung who authored more than 40 books on Tribals, Adivasi land and their rights.
Around 1,000 animators attended the convention at the BEC- Synod convention. Dungdung urged them to call themselves “Adivasi” first. All other issues should be secondary, he stressed with various examples on how the Adivasis are exploited and marginalized in recent times.
Adivasis are the original dwellers of India. The land, water, jungle, mountains and minerals belong to them. By calling them “Scheduled Tribe” (ST), some of their cultural habits, their way of life, land rights and consensus decision making are dwindled, said Dungdung who works with various human rights groups for the welfare of Adivasis in Jharkhand.
The Catholic Church needs to be united and make every effort to unite all Adivasis irrespective of their religious affiliation, political inclination or language, said Dungdung. When one keeps the identity of Adivasi first, unity will come easily. Unfortunately various people who want to exploit the Adivasis, divide them in the name of rituals, language and other issues, lamented Dungdung.
Anti conversion law is an eye wash in Jharkhand. There is no conversion happening in India, let alone Jharkhand, said Dungdung citing statistics. From the time of Independence till now the Christians are only 2.6 percent in India. In Jharkhand in 2001 the Christian population was 15 percent. In 2011 it came down to 14 percent. Then where is the conversion, Dungdung asked.
The Christians need to conscientize the Tribals to know their Constitutional rights and their history to defend themselves from exploitation, said Jesuit Father David Solomon, who moderated the session.
The Adivasis have great ethos, culture and united effort. Unfortunately, our youth have lost the sense of belongingness to the indigenous culture, said Father Solomon, a social Tribal activist in Jharkhand.
The Basic Ecclesial communities must extend their tents to welcome people of other faiths to work together for social and human right issues, said Holy Cross Sister Christin Joseph while elaborating the theme for the convention “To enlarge the space of the Tent.”
“Our houses, institutions, churches are to be open for all to experience the mercy of God,” said Sister Christin, sharing various examples.
Jesus came to welcome all of us to come into the Tent of the Kingdom of God, said Archbishop Thomas D’Souza of Calcutta while celebrating the Eucharist for the participants.
Gladson’s talk was thought provoking and made us aware of our Adivasi rights, said Jyotsna Soren from Sacred Heart Parish, Dumka. “The experience shared by Mr. Gladson to protect our land and how to network with others for our rights was a great inspiration to me,” said Pintu Hembrom from Purnea.
After Vatican II, the Church has enlarged its tent to accept the goodness in all people, said Father Reginald Fernandes from Calcutta while inviting the BEC animators to work for Neighborhood Human communities. Interfaith dialogue and joint social action are the need of the hour, said Father Fernandes quoting various examples.
More the Basic Ecclesial communities are open and welcoming, we can bring unity among the Adivasis, said Rekha Tudu, one of the active BEC animators of Dumka.
They are doing fine on several fronts. Indian tribal people are yet to do justice to their enormous potential in nation-building.