Nagpur: Former Union Minister and veteran tribal leader Arvind Netam on June 5 addressed the swayamsevaks at ‘Karyakarta Vikas Varg Dwiteeiye’ valedictory function in Nagpur. Netam was the chief guests at the program.
Netam commenced his speech by thanking the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat ji for the invitation. “Before I begin, I think it’s my duty to express my gratitude to Sangh and Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat Ji for inviting me on this occasion, I am really honoured with this invitation,” said Netam.
“I did not have any opportunity to interact with Sangh earlier but in the last 2 days I have got an opportunity to understand Sangh. This is also centenary year of Sangh and no other organisation has worked for such a long period for the unity and integrity of the nation and social harmony,” he said.
He pointed out that he has been retired from active politics for many years and being active only as a social worker. He added that the Janjati Samaj is going through a tough phase and the issues are on a rise for the community.
He added that conversion is the biggest issue faced by the community at the moment and no government (state) has taken the issue seriously.
“I understand that conversion is the biggest issue and no state government has taken it seriously. Consecutive governments are seen blaming the previous government for the issue and the process has been repeated continuously. No firm action has been taken in this regard. After giving it a long thought I realized that Sangh is the only organization which can help and show us the way. I know the RSS has been working on the issue of conversion for long, I would only request them to pacify their efforts,” said Netam
He stressed that Bastar is facing two major issues which are ‘conversion and Naxalism’ and Sangh and the Janjati society should work together on both the issues.
“I come from Bastar where Naxalism and conversion are two major issues; I feel that Sangh and Janjati society should work together on both the problems…Last year I invited Sangh officials as chief guests in one of the program of the society. The move was opposed by a section of people, though the official of Sangh clarified many misconceptions during the event,” he said.
“There were no talks on conversion before, but that changed after the program. We are hopeful of Sangh’s cooperation and I believe that without the cooperation of the Sangh these problems cannot be addressed, he noted.
He added, that “the other issue of Naxalism is being tackled with all seriousness by the Union government, I am very glad about it. But what after that? If post Naxalism the socio-economic issues are not addressed, then this issue will crop up again. I am giving a warning to the Government and Sangh should seriously take up this issue.”
He further stated that while its not possible for the country to make progress without industrialization, special attention should be paid on displacement of tribals.
“I agree that without industrialization there cannot be progress but does the plight of displacement has to be faced by tribals only? The tribals fought against the British from 150 years ago for Jal, Jungle Jameen. Now the same Jal Jungle Jameen are under serious threat now,” said Netam.
Netam emphasised that he is not against development but there should be participation of the society into it. He requested Sangh to look into the issue of displacement and participation of the Janjati society into development. “The government should not do land acquisition but it should take the land on lease and return it to the concerned families once the mines are closed,” he said.
He said that tribals can accept to be from labour to owner but not owner to labour. Netam alleged that in the last 25 years none of the industrial license has been allotted as per the PESA act. He again asserted that these issues cannot be resolved until the Sangh intervene into it.
He also requested Sangh to constitute a committee to take up these issues stating that “we are ready to interact with the Sangh leadership on these issues on a regular basis.”
Talking about de-listing, Netam said that earlier the society was not convinced of the de-listing movement but after interaction with the state (Chhattisgarh) RSS officials we understand that the de-listing movement can be a major tool in fighting conversion. “We as a society are working to make an environment in favour of de-listing,” he added.
Netam welcomed the proposed anti-conversion law and emphasised that a stringent law should be enacted against conversion. He pointed out that conversion is a major issue in the country and a strict law should be enacted to stop it by taking the society into confidence.
Talking about the ongoing demand for a separate religious code, Netam said there has been no consensus over the issue in tribal society, adding that these demands do not relate to any social ideology. He noted that it is a tough issue and there is no rush.
While concluding, Netam once again expressed his gratitude for the invitation and said that he had never imagined this. “I had never imagined this, the media is taken aback. It’s a beginning and with your help I think we will be able to find solutions of these problems,” he said.
