Lok Sabha Question No. 107 (STARRED), answered on 2023-12-11
Subject: Reservation of Tribal Traditions
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Sanjay Seth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO- †*107

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 11/12/2023

## RESERVATION OF TRIBAL TRADITIONS

† *107. SHRI SANJAY SETH:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  any  steps  have  been  taken  by  the  Government  to  preserve  tribal  traditions,  culture  and customs;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether due to conversion there has been an adverse impact on tribal traditions, culture and customs;
- (d) if so, the details thereof including steps taken by the Government to stop conversion;
- (e) whether any steps have been taken by the Government to stop conversion of tribal community in the country particularly in Jharkhand as conversion is a big issue in tribal dominated States;
- (f)  whether the Government has any data of tribals converted in Jharkhand during the last five years; and
- (g) if so, the details thereof?

## MINISTER OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI ARJUN MUNDA)

(a) to (g):

A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

## ANSWER

## Statement referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. †*107 for answer on 11.12.2023

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. Ministry of Tribal Affairs has taken various steps to preserve tribal traditions, culture and customs through Centrally Sponsored Schemes of 'Support to Tribal Research Institute' and Central Sector Scheme 'Tribal Research, Information, Education, Communication and Events' under which various activities are undertaken to conserve and promote tribal culture, archives, artifacts, customs and traditions of the tribal communities. Under the scheme 'Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)', Ministry has sanctioned various projects to the Tribal Research Institutes of the States/UTs towards various  activities  for  socio-cultural  and  economic  development  of  the  tribal  communities  including preservation of their cultural heritage and protection of the indigenous faith, practices, unique ideas and knowledge and of tribal people in diverse form. There are 28 Tribal Research Institutes in States/UTs and National Tribal Research Institute in Delhi. Some of the initiatives worth mentioning are as under:

- i. To acknowledge the heroic and patriotic deeds of tribal people and to exhibit rich tribal cultural heritage of the region, Ministry has sanctioned 10 Tribal Freedom Fighters Museums.
- ii. The  Ethnographic  Museum  under  the  States'  TRIs  have  been  sanctioned  to  preserve  and showcase rare artifacts related to life and culture of various tribes.
- iii. Tribal  Research  Institutes  have  organized  different  events  like  National  Tribal  Craft  Mela, National/State Tribal Dance Festival, Art Competition, Workshop - cum - Exhibition on Tribal paintings and state level tribal poet and writers meet. For promoting the unique tribal heritage, Ministry has sanctioned  fund to organize the tribal fairs & festivals, festival like "Medaram Jathara"  undertaken  by  the  Koya  Tribe  of  Telangana,  Hornbill Festival  of  Nagaland,  Sarhul Festival of Jharkhand, Lokotsav of Goa and Pawl Kut festival of Mizoram, etc.
- iv. Ministry has developed searchable digital repository where all research papers, books, reports and documents, folks songs, photos/videos are uploaded. The repository currently has more than 10,000 photographs, videos and publications which are mostly done by Tribal Research Institutes.
- v. Under the scheme 'Tribal Research, Information, Education, Communication and Events (TRIECE)', reputed research institutes/organizations/universities have undertaken various research studies/publication of books/documentation including audio visual documentaries to fill the gap of research studies on tribal issues and Promotion of rich tribal cultural, traditions and customs as  well  as  capacity  building  of  tribal  persons/institutions  associated  with  tribal  affairs, dissemination of information and creation of awareness. Tribal cultural exchange programmes was also sanctioned. Research and documentation of indigenous practices by tribal healers and medicinal  plants,  tribal languages,  agriculture  system,  dances  and  paintings,  organization  of literary festivals, publication of books written by tribal writers/ authors, translation works and literature competitions, were undertaken under the scheme. Military Tattoo and Tribal Dance Festival  was  organized  in  January  2023  to  exhibit  the  various  dance  performances  by tribal    communities showcasing the beauty of India's diverse tribal culture from across India.
- vi. Government of India has declared 15th November as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas to honour all the tribal  freedom  fighters  and  for  remembering  and  acknowledging  their  contribution  to  the freedom struggle and cultural heritage, and to re-energize the efforts for the socio-economic

development  of  the  tribal  regions.  The  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  along  with  others  central ministries, state governments and other institutions are celebrating the glorious history of its tribal people, culture and achievements since 2021.

- vii. Development  of  bilingual  Primers  for  preservation  of  tribal  languages  and  enhancement  of learning achievement level amongst the Scheduled Tribe Students. Many language primers have been developed by various State Governments.
- viii. Tribal dances are reflection of culture embodying the history, beliefs and tradition of people. These dances are very close to life and nature. Military Tattoo and Tribal Dance Festival was organized  in  January  2023  to  exhibit  the  various  dance  performances  by  tribal  communities showcasing  the  beauty  of  India's  diverse  tribal  culture  from  across  India.  Tribal  Dance presentation on January 23 & 24, 2023 is at Annexure-I. State-wise list of dances, which are preserved and promoted through their participation in various cultural events/other events is at Annexure-II.

The Ministry of Culture is the nodal Ministry for promotion of culture including tribal culture.

Further, there are adequate constitutional and statutory safeguards for protection, preservation, conservation  and  promotion  of  tribal  culture,  traditions  and  customs.  The  Fifth  Schedule  of  the Constitution provides for the establishment of Tribal Advisory Councils in States with Scheduled Areas. Further, it provides for Special Powers of the Governor in such States. The Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled  Areas)  Act,  1996  similarly  provides  for  extensive  authority  of  the  Gram  Sabhas/Gram Panchayats to safeguard and preserve the traditions and customs and their cultural identity. The Sixth Schedule, applicable in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram, empowers the District and Regional Councils in matters of social customs.

(c) to (e): 'Public Order' and 'Police' are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. Hence, prevention, detection, registration, investigation and prosecution of offences related to religious  conversions  are  primarily  the  concerns  of  the  State  Government/  Union  Territory  (UT) Administration. Action is taken as per existing laws by the law enforcing agencies whenever instances of violation come to notice.

- (f): Figures about religious conversion are not being maintained Centrally

(g): Does not arise in view of (f).

## Statement referred to in reply to part (a) and (b) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. †* 107 for answer on 11.12.2023

## Tribal Dance presentation on January 23 & 24, 2023

|   S.No. | Name of State             | Name of Art Form   |
|---------|---------------------------|--------------------|
|       1 | Mizoram                   | Cherow             |
|       2 | Chhattisgarh              | Gaur Maria         |
|       3 | Kerala                    | Irula              |
|       4 | UT of Ladakh              | Balti              |
|       5 | Tamilnadu                 | Palaiyar           |
|       6 | Jharkhand                 | Paika              |
|       7 | Telangana/ Andhra Pradesh | Lambadi            |
|       8 | Andhra Pradesh            | Budigali           |
|       9 | Jharkhand                 | Karma              |
|      10 | UT of Jammu and Kashmir   | Mangho             |
|      11 | Madhya Pradesh            | Baiga Pardhoni     |
|      12 | Gujarat                   | Siddhi Dhamal      |
|      13 | Arunachal Pradesh         | Rikhampada         |
|      14 | Telangana                 | Gussadi            |
|      15 | Himachal Pradesh          | Gaddi Nati         |
|      16 | Meghalaya                 | Ka Shad Masti      |
|      17 | Assam                     | Bagurumba          |
|      18 | Maharashtra               | Songi Mukhote      |
|      19 | West Bengal               | Purulia Chhau      |
|      20 | Gujarat                   | Rathwa             |

## Illustrative State wise list of dances

|   Sl. No. | Name of Tribal Dance   | State             |
|-----------|------------------------|-------------------|
|         1 | Popir                  | Arunachal Pradesh |
|         2 | Rekham Pada            | Arunachal Pradesh |
|         3 | Gumrag                 | Assam             |
|         4 | Mishawa                | Assam             |
|         5 | Bagurumba              | Assam             |
|         6 | Talwar Nrutya          | Gujarat           |
|         7 | Kahadiya               | Gujarat           |
|         8 | Rathwa                 | Gujarat           |
|         9 | Wangala                | Meghalaya         |
|        10 | Kashad Mastieh         | Meghalaya         |
|        11 | Birli                  | Odisha            |
|        12 | Dhemsa                 | Odisha            |
|        13 | Biha                   | Odisha            |
|        14 | Wija Pandum            | Odisha            |
|        15 | Benta                  | Odisha            |
|        16 | Rinjodi                | Odisha            |
|        17 | Budigali               | Odisha            |
|        18 | Hojagiri               | Tripura           |
|        19 | Mamita                 | Tripura           |
|        20 | Karam Thapadi          | Jharkhand         |

*****

Annexure-II