Congress leader’s ‘Adivasis are not Hindus’ remark sparks row in Madhya Pradesh

Congress leader Umang Singhar on Thursday said that Adivasis are not Hindus, and alleged that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was trying to assimilate Adivasis into Hinduism, ANI reported.

The remarks sparked sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party.

At a Tribal Development Council event in Chhindwara, the state leader of opposition said: “I say with pride that we are Adivasis, not Hindus. I have been saying this for many years.”

Singhar clarified that he did not intend to offend any religion.

“We do not disrespect any religion,” the four-time MLA from the Bhil community said, according to The Indian Express. “But our community, our traditions, our culture, our heritage must be recognised

Singhar alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party and its parent organisation, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, have sought to assimilate Adivasis under Hinduism by calling them vanvasi, or forest-dwelling, Hindus.

The BJP is in power in Madhya Pradesh.

Singhar claimed that this was a strategy to weaken the Adivasis’ “political autonomy and power of resistance”. He also alleged that the BJP’s larger goal was to end reservations, according to The Indian Express.

“Their [the BJP’s] larger goal is also to end reservations,” The Indian Express quoted him as saying.

In response, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav claimed that the Congress always works against Hindus and Hindutva.

“They should be ashamed,” he said. “They are free to express...

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