The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday (March 23, 2026) criticised the use of the term ‘vanvasi’ (forest dwellers) by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its political arm, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), for tribal communities, alleging that it diluted their historical rights over land and natural resources.
Speaking at an ‘Adivasi Adhikar Samvidhan Sammelan’ in Vadodara, Mr. Gandhi said the term ‘Adivasi’ denotes original inhabitants, while ‘vanvasi’ suggests that tribals are only forest dwellers. “The term ‘vanvasi’ implies you are not the original owners of this land, whereas ‘Adivasi’ recognises your rights over water, forests and land,” he said. “If you had come here thousands of years ago, every inch of land would have been with Adivasis,” he added.
Describing tribals as ‘vanvasi’ amounted to an attack on the Constitution and the legacy of tribal leader Birsa Munda, Mr. Gandhi alleged. “When tribals are called ‘vanvasi’ and their resources are handed over, it is an attack on the Constitution,” the Congress leader said.
Targeting the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said the government was not safeguarding tribal rights. “When development is discussed, Adivasi land is taken away, often without compensation, as you are considered to have no rights,” he said.
