On the Rise: Positive Shifts for Tribals of Chhattisgarh

The foreign rulers oppressed them, raped their women, and beat them up to death as if they had no human value. In the fight against the British, several tribal leaders like Birsa Munda, Tilka Manjhi rose from various parts of the country & played a major part in the freedom struggle.

But this did not change any situation for the tribals after the Independence. With the start of free India and the new constitution, the government added 5th schedule which dealt with the administration and control of Scheduled Areas as well as of Scheduled Tribes residing in any State other than the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.

According to the 2011 census, some of the states that have a huge population of tribal people are Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Tripura and the largest tribe in India is Bhil which is approximately 38% of the total scheduled tribal population.

The tribals have been an easy target for the politicians, bureaucrats, money lenders, the so-called “social- activists” etc. People from different fields have used their names and the conditions they face for their benefit like for the vote bank, fund raising, etc.

Chhattisgarh which plays a major role when it comes to tribes in India & is not behind when counted of the atrocities. The state holds approximately 30% of ST population. The tribe which is present in the majority is the “Gond” tribe. People have faced several challenges like illegal conversion.

There have been instances where people were forced to convert their religion. Similar case was found in Gorra village of Narayanpur, where in Jan 2023 the Christian Missionaries were converting the religion of tribes resulting in the arrest of 2 local leaders along with 11 other people. Though people are being aware of their rights and are putting their efforts to improve the present conditions .

At present, as we have seen the vast changes after Successive win of BJP, they have implemented and also provided some schemes under "pradhamanthri awas Yojana" to the people they believe in where they have ensured in providing road connectivity and literacy changes, The accomplishment of distribution of mid day meals to the tribals students in schools.

Also in the name of "Jan Dan Accounts "and there" self help groups" they distributed money for there self investment and the government programs have greatly benefited to the tribal communities.

The Government has taken several initiatives to improve the conditions of Schedule Tribe in India - such as TRIFED, Digital Transformation of Tribal Schools, Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana, Eklavya Model Residential Schools.

These initiatives will not only improve the condition of tribals but also solve their problem of Dwindling Population, Poverty, Education, Degradation of the Forest Areas and failure to recognise their rights. Tribals have a huge majority in the population of the country. They have all the rights and have no reason to be denied upon.

Report by


Lata rao
Intern, The narrative