Tribal rights and Kerala Model of development, Exploring new trends
- Indian Journal of Political Science
- 85(1), Jan-Mar, 2024: p.401-406
This paper explores the recent trends in Kerala's tribal marginality. Beginning with the two major watershed moments_mob-lyching of adivasi youth Madhu in Attappadi in 2018 and allegedly "human zoo" portrayal of adivasis in Keraleeyam, a government organised public even held in the state capital in November 2023_in Kerala's trible world. These incidents reiterates the unvarying perception of state and its civil society on adivasi developmental question in the state. beginning with the post-colonial predicamets of the adivasi welfare dilemmas in the state this paper further explores the ongoing tribal land encroachment in Attappadi region by the powerful and political connected non-tribals. It will also briefly discuss the popular tribal welfare scheme; the community kitchen in Attappadi. It will further discuss the recent issues regarding the dropout of adivasi children from higher education. This paper concludes by arguing that state's perspective on adivasi welfare should go beyond monetary expenditure and focus on the effective societal progress achieved through implemented scheme and policies. Currently, the state seems to perceive tribal issues more as residential problems than a combination of land, livelihood and existential issues. I is essential to address these challenges directly rather than treating them as residual obstacles. -Reproduced