This is a talk on "The Political Ecology of Democracy and Governance as Defined By Adivasi Struggles" - Presented by C.R.Bijoy

C R Bijoy walks us through the age-old history of tribal land struggles. He is a researcher and social activist in India who works with the Campaign for Survival and Dignity, an organisation which acts as a platform for all tribal organisations across India. Listen to the audio for his take on Tribal land struggles. The 67.7 million people belonging to "Scheduled Tribes" in India are generally considered to be 'Adivasis', literally meaning 'indigenous people' or 'original inhabitants', though the term 'Scheduled Tribes' (STs) is not coterminous with the term 'Adivasis'. Scheduled Tribes is an administrative term used for purposes of 'administering' certain specific constitutional privileges, protection and benefits for specific sections of peoples considered historically disadvantaged and 'backward'. The Constitution of India, which came into existence on 26 January 1950, prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth and it provides the right to equality, to freedom of religion and to culture and education. STs are supposedly addressed by as many as 209 Articles and 2 special schedules of the Constitution - Articles and special schedules which are protective and paternalistic.

The Adivasis of India have raised the issue of forest rights to the forefront of the nation's politics. As the state dithers, a process of legislative enactment to address the “historic injustice” has emerged. This article is a narrative that examines the context that precipitated this crisis, the issues, the ground reality, the emergent proposal, and the historic background of the continuing struggles of Adivasis against colonization and internal colonization.