‘We are adivasis, not Hindus’: Row over top Congress leader’s comment in Madhya Pradesh
Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar says RSS wants to ‘assimilate tribals into Hinduism’, CM asks his party to apologise
2 min read
Umang Singhar’s (left) remarks elicited a strong rebuke from Chief Minister Mohan Yadav (right), who demanded an apology from the Congress leader and his party. (Credit: X/@UmangSinghar/ FB)Madhya Pradesh Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar has stirred controversy with his remark that “tribals are not Hindus”, drawing sharp criticism from the ruling BJP.
Speaking at a Tribal Development Council event in Chhindwara on Thursday, Singhar said, “I say with pride that we are adivasis, not Hindus. I have been saying this for many years. And it was Shabari, who fed the leftovers to Lord Ram; she too was an adivasi.”
The four-time Congress legislator from the Bhil community, the largest tribal group in Madhya Pradesh, clarified that his comments were not meant to offend any faith.
“We do not disrespect any religion. But our community, our traditions, our culture, our heritage must be recognised,” he said, adding that tribals must be accorded respect regardless of which party is in power.
Singhar said the biggest problem with the BJP is that it has never fully accepted the tribals as its own. “For years, the RSS and its affiliated organisations have been pursuing a strategy to assimilate tribals into Hinduism by calling them ‘Vanvasi Hindus’, thereby weakening their political autonomy and power of resistance. Their larger goal is also to end reservations,” he said.
“My mission is to protect tribal identity, establish pride, and preserve culture. The BJP has always avoided recognising tribal identity; for them, tribals are nothing more than a vote bank,” Singhar said.
Singhar’s remarks elicited a strong rebuke from Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who demanded an apology from the Congress leader and his party.
“It is unfortunate that the Congress always works against Hindus and Hindutva… They should be ashamed. If they raise questions on Hindutva, the public will not forgive. Congress leaders should apologise,” Yadav said in a video statement.
Facing backlash, Singhar accused the BJP and its ideological mentor, the RSS, of attempting to subsume tribal identity under Hinduism.
“The original inhabitants of this country are tribals… Why do the BJP or RSS want to stop us from worshipping nature? We are not disrespecting any religion. I, too, respect the Hindu religion. But when it comes to tribals, the BJP wants to implement its agenda,” he said.
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