Ambassa: Zodintluanga, a national executive member of the All India Adivasi Congress Committee (AIACC), has accused the Modi government of sidelining democratic principles and undermining the rights of Adivasis and hill tribes, particularly in the northeastern states of India.
Speaking as the chief orator at the state-level convention of the Tripura State Adivasi Committee in Ambassa in Dhalai district, Zodintluanga called for the dismantling of what he described as an “authoritarian grip” on the country to preserve the values that define India’s democracy.
The former Congress Legislature Party leader of Mizoram criticized the policies of the BJP-led government, alleging that the current administration had failed to uphold the rights of tribal communities and marginalized groups across India.
“Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the spirit of democracy has been eroded. His authoritarian rule must end if we are to safeguard the values that our country was built upon,” Zodintluanga said.
He went on to highlight the historical contributions of the Congress Party to the rights of tribal communities, particularly through landmark initiatives such as the Forest Rights Act of 2006, which he claimed ensured legal recognition for Adivasis and other forest dwellers.
Zodintluanga accused the Modi government of diluting and delaying the implementation of the Act while promoting policies that facilitate land acquisition in tribal areas, which he said had led to the displacement of indigenous communities.
“Since the post-colonial period, the Congress party has made significant strides in recognizing the rights of tribal communities, especially in areas like land rights, education, and political representation. But the BJP-led NDA government has reversed these gains,” he said.
Zodintluanga also pointed to the creation of autonomous district councils in states like Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland during Congress rule, designed to provide tribal communities with local governance structures that reflect their distinct identity.
In stark contrast, he lamented, the Modi government had failed to address the growing unrest and instability in states like Manipur, which, he said, was now facing a “war-like situation.”
He accused both the BJP-led government at the Centre and the state government in Manipur of neglecting the situation.
“Manipur, once a peaceful state, is now engulfed in violence, and the Modi government has done nothing to restore peace. It was under the leadership of Rajiv Gandhi that Mizoram achieved peace after years of insurgency. The Congress government sought harmony, while the Modi government uses the same divide-and-rule tactics that the British used to control India,” Zodintluanga said.
The former Cabinet minister of Mizoram also criticized the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which grants Indian citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
He warned that the implementation of the CAA would have a detrimental impact on the demographics of the Northeast, further marginalizing indigenous communities.
“The Citizenship Amendment Act is another step towards undermining the cultural and demographic integrity of the Northeast. The toll will certainly be felt by the people of this region, particularly the tribal communities,” Zodintluanga added.
In his speech, Zodintluanga rallied support for the Indian National Congress (INC), calling the party the “custodian of India’s constitutional ethos” and urging unity among party members and supporters.
“Every Pradesh Congress Committee plays a pivotal role in this transformative journey. Together, we must rise to dismantle the authoritarian grip that has overshadowed our democracy under Narendra Modi’s rule,” he said.
“The time has come to rekindle the light of justice, equality, and inclusivity that our founding leaders envisioned for India,” he added.
The convention, which is being held on January 5, 2025, in Ambassa, also saw the presence of Sudip Roy Barma, a permanent invitee to the All India Congress Committee’s (AICC) Congress Working Committee, who graced the occasion as the chief guest.
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Chief Orator of the convention Zodintluanga’s impassioned speech underscored his commitment to fighting for the rights of Adivasis and tribal communities while emphasizing the need for democratic renewal in India.
