Congress flags tribal issues in MP ahead of President Murmu's visit; Jitu Patwari seeks action plan
Bhopal, June 18
As President Droupadi Murmu began her five-day visit to Madhya Pradesh, the Opposition Congress on Thursday urged her to take note of the challenges faced by the state's tribal community and direct the government to act on key issues of education, health and livelihood.
In a statement, Madhya Pradesh Congress chief, Jitu Patwari, welcomed the President on behalf of the people of the state and said her life of "struggle, service, and dedication to constitutional values" is a source of inspiration for millions of tribal people.
"On the occasion of your visit to Madhya Pradesh, I wish to draw your attention to the challenges faced by the state's tribal community - challenges that keep them distant from the mainstream of development and rights," Patwari said.
He pointed out that Madhya Pradesh has the largest tribal population in the country, with 1.53 crore Scheduled Tribes making up about 21 per cent of the state's population.
"Education is the primary vehicle for the advancement of the tribal community, yet their literacy rate falls significantly below the state average. While MP's overall literacy rate exceeds 70 per cent, the rate among Scheduled Tribes is recorded at around 50 per cent," Patwari said.
He added that healthcare services in tribal regions are facing a severe crisis with acute shortage of doctors at Primary Health Centres and high burden of malnutrition and maternal mortality.
The Congress listed ten demands, including a special emergency plan for education and health in tribal areas, filling vacant posts of teachers and doctors in a time-bound manner, 100 per cent compliance with the Forest Rights Act, and a special employment mission for tribal youth.
"Today, the need is not merely to announce schemes, but to translate the spirit of constitutional justice into reality on the ground. The tribal community of Madhya Pradesh seeks rights, not charity," Patwari said.
Meanwhile, President Murmu arrived in Indore on Thursday morning and was received at Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Governor Mangubhai Patel. She left for Betul to attend the programme 'Empowerment of Tribal Society by Spiritual Awakening' organised by Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya. Later she will travel to Omkareshwar.
On June 19, the President will attend a programme on International Sickle Cell Anaemia Day in Madhya Pradesh, a major public health concern among tribal populations.
After a brief visit to West Bengal, she will return on June 20 to Jabalpur to participate in International Yoga Day celebrations on June 21 and attend the 36th convocation of Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya.
On June 22, she is scheduled to visit Kuno National Park in Sheopur before departing for New Delhi.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Jitu Patwari's demand for 100% implementation of Forest Rights Act is so important. Tribals who have lived in forests for generations still don't have clear land titles. They are the first environmentalists, yet treated as encroachers on their own land. President should definitely take this up. 🙏
While I respect the President's visit, why is she going to a spiritual event by Brahma Kumaris instead of visiting actual tribal hamlets? These VIP visits create such a circus - roads get repaired overnight, teachers and doctors suddenly appear. After she leaves, everything goes back to normal. Real change needs sustained political will, not just annual complaints.
Interesting contrast - Congress wants state government action, while President's schedule seems focused on cultural and health events rather than political meetings. The sickle cell anemia programme on June 19 is actually well-targeted, it's a major issue in tribal MP. But beyond awareness, we need proper treatment centers in every tribal block.
"Tribal community seeks rights, not charity" - what a powerful line by Patwari! But same party ruled MP for so long, why didn't they fix these issues? Both BJP and Congress are equally guilty of neglecting tribal education and health. At least the President, being from ST background, understands these problems personally. Let's see if her visit brings any concrete outcomes.
The 50% literacy rate among tribals is heartbreaking. I worked in Betul district for 2 years - many girls drop out after Class 5 because schools are far and unsafe. Teachers rarely stay in tribal
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