Calling "Adivasis" As "Vanvasis" Insulting: Sharad Pawar Slams BJP
NDTV
"They are the true owners of 'jal', jungle and 'zameen' (water, jungle and soil). The credit (of preserving forests) is theirs (tribals')," said Sharad Pawar.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying that it was insulting to call tribals or 'adivasis' as "vanvasis", and those who use that term show their ignorance.
He was speaking at a function here.
"Some people prefer to call tribals 'vanvasis' as in those who live in forests. It will not be an exaggeration if I say that it is an insult to call tribals as 'vanvasis'. They are 'adivasi'," the former Union minister said without naming anyone.
"They are the true owners of 'jal', jungle and 'zameen' (water, jungle and soil). The people who use such terms (vanvasi) show their ignorance towards adivasis as well as their efforts in preserving the jungles in this country. The credit (of preserving forests) is theirs (tribals')," he said.
