The tribes in central-east India are in the news as part of violent communist struggle (Naxalite, Maoist etc...) in that region. Though a big chunk of the cadres are Dravidians, that identity has always been irrelevant. Incidentally, the leaders of Maoist movements come mostly from non-tribal Dravidians (Telugus). One more Dravidian tribe (Dongria Kondh) are in the news (for a quite sometime now) for a very classic reason. Their sacred mountain is being bought by a multinational mining company. The Kondhs are up in arms against this project. But the mountain god is not sacred just as their language. What should be the reason for the mainstream communities for supporting them? Injustice or the standard of life?
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
"One more Dravidian tribe (Dongria Kondh) are in news (for a quite sometime now) for a very classic reason. Their sacred mountain is being bought by a multinational mining company".
ReplyDeleteRead about that somewhere.
"What should be the reason for the mainstream communities for supporting them? Injustice or the standard of life?"
Are these things really different?
Are these things really different?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, there are no multiple definitions for injustice but the 'standard of life' is subjective. I don't consider their life in harmony with nature (by all idealistic accounts) is an acceptable standard.