‘Bhil Pradesh’ gains currency as BTP makes new political inroads

In the tribal belt of Rajasthan,

‘Bhil Pradesh’

has started to find resonance. The demand has gained prominence with the rise of Bhartiya Tribal Party (BTP), which is aggressively claiming ‘first’ right of indigenous people on all resources.


Having won two seats in recent assembly elections, BTP is set to challenge traditional parties like BJP and Congress in Banswara, Udaipur and Chittorgarh Lok Sabha seats.

The ‘aggressive stand’ on the formation of a separate state, 100% reservation in education institutes and others yielded favourable results for the party that was non-existent till a couple of years ago. In a short span, it has not only spread its wings in the entire region, but also pulled leaders from other parties into its fold.

Rajasthan chief of BTP Vela Ram Ghogra told TOI, "Tribal communities have the first right on forests, water and nature. By demanding full control, we are trying to restore the rights of the tribal people lost to the outsiders over the past centuries."

However, BTP has widened the fault lines in the region. Enticed by the promises, social and religious leaders representing tribal groups are further sharpening the divide through provocative posts on social media.

The aggressive politics of BTP has threatened non-tribal communities in the two districts — Dungarpur and Banswara. Almost 90% of the business is owned by the non-tribal population while the same number of labourers employed by them are from tribal communities.

Showing Whatsapp groups created after the emergence of BTP, a government official in Banswara expressed fear, uncertain future and lawlessness. "Some of my businessmen friends are planning to shift to Gujarat. They are worried that if a separate state is created they will have no voice. If the state doesn’t come into existence, it will lead to an armed resistance like the Naxalites," said the official requesting anonymity.


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