Debate over ‘Bhil Pradesh’ map sparks political controversy

Udaipur/Jaipur: In a controversial move that has sparked political debate, Banswara MP Rajkumar Roat of the Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) has renewed calls for a separate 'Bhil Pradesh' state, sharing a contentious map on social media that encompasses tribal regions across four states.The demanded state would include tribal areas from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Roat has called for a mass gathering at Mangarh Dham, a historic tribal pilgrimage site in Rajasthan's Banswara district, for the 'Bhil Pradesh Sandesh Yatra' scheduled for Thursday.The BAP leader's demand draws historical significance from the 1913 Mangarh massacre, where over 1,500 tribal people lost their lives under Govind Guru's leadership. Roat claimed that Govind Guru was advocating for a separate Bhil state and the post-independence division of the Bhil region into four states constitutes an "injustice" to the tribal community.However, the move has faced strong opposition from BJP members. Rajendra Rathore, former deputy leader of opposition, condemned the proposal, calling it a "shameful and unfortunate political stunt" that threatens Rajasthan's unity. "If today someone talks about Bhil Pradesh, tomorrow someone might demand Maru Pradesh. Will we then divide our magnificent history, heritage and pride into such fragments?" Rathore questioned.BJP's Udaipur MP Mannalal Rawat also criticised the initiative, suggesting it revives "divisive agendas left behind by the British and the Church."Rawat said, "Sharing colonial-era maps and talking about 'Bhil Country' is not about tribal rights—it's about reviving divisive agendas left behind by the British and the Church. The sacrifices of Mangarh's nationalist martyrs were for India's unity, not for promoting separatism. This mindset is deeply unfortunate and misleading for the tribal community."