POLITICAL PROBLEM
Regionalism:
The tribals of India are, in a way, geographically separated from the rest of the population. Some of them are living in unapproachable physical areas such as deep valleys, dense forests, hills, mountains, etc. It is difficult for them to establish relations with others, and hence, socially, they are far away from the civilized world. This kind of physical as well as social isolation or seclusion has contributed to various other problems.
Problem of Separatism:
The “divide and rule” policy adopted by the British did a lot of damage to the tribal community of India. The British had superimposed their own administrative patterns in tribal areas and deprived the tribals of their traditional methods of interacting with people. The “Criminal Tribes Act” which the British had introduced, gave an impression that the tribals were either “criminals” or “anti-social beings.”
The tribal groups such as Kolis, Mundas, Khasis, Santals, Naga, etc, who fought against the British were branded as “dacoit” and “robbers.” The British government, which wanted to humble these tribals and “correct” them, encouraged foreign Christian missionary activities, especially in the Central and the North-Eastern Zone. These activities, which went on for more than 200 years, alienated many of the tribes and developed in them separatist tendencies.
Relations between tribals and non-tribals have started worsening. In states like Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Bihar, Manipur, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh, demand for separate states for tribals took the shape of insurgency, revolt, terrorism and so on. Neighbouring countries which are unfriendly to India have instigated the rebels against the establishment. They have exploited the anti-Indian sentiments of the tribals to their advantage.
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