Rahul Gandhi criticises use of the term ‘vanvasi’, reiterates call for caste census

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.

“Whenever the subject of development comes up, land belonging to Adivasis is snatched, often without paying compensation as ‘you are deemed to possess no rights, no entitlements whatsoever’,” Mr. Gandhi said.

On economic issues, Mr. Gandhi criticised India’s trade engagement with the United States, alleging that the agricultural sector had been opened up. “No Prime Minister has opened up agriculture before. If products from large, mechanised farms in the U.S. enter our markets, it will affect Indian farmers,” he said.

“There is a reason for this. Our farms are small, ranging from five to 10 acres. In the U.S., farms span 1,000, 5,000, or even 10,000 acres. Here, people work manually, and mechanisation is limited; over there, everything is fully mechanised,” he said, adding, “If their produce floods our markets, it will completely ruin our farmers.”

India would purchase goods worth ₹9 lakh crore from the U.S. over five years, he said, and raised concerns over its impact on domestic industries and small enterprises.

“If we purchase goods worth ₹9 lakh crore from U.S. companies, what will become of our own companies? What will happen to our SMEs (small and medium enterprises)? They have reduced taxes for U.S. products to zero, while simultaneously increasing taxes on our domestic products,” he said. 

The Prime Minister is “compromised”, Mr. Gandhi alleged. 

Reiterating his demand for a caste census, Mr. Gandhi said it was necessary to determine the share of various communities in national resources and institutions. “A caste census will show the actual population of Adivasis and their share in power and wealth,” he said.

He also called for greater representation of tribals in institutions, including the bureaucracy, police, and the judiciary. Adivasis account for 9% of the population, while Scheduled Castes constitute 15%, and Other Backward Classes account for around 50% of the population, he said.

“Do you believe Adivasis have even a 10% share in the country?” he asked, adding that while leaders paid respect to Birsa Munda, there was little action when it came to sharing power and resources.

Adivasis needed greater representation in institutions, Mr. Gandhi said. “Until your people are part of the bureaucracy, police and judiciary, your interests will not be protected,” he said, alleging that the RSS was influencing these institutions.

Published – March 23, 2026 09:44 pm IST