What are the major problems encountered by ‘Scheduled Tribes’ in India?

The Backward Classes within the Context of Social Change: Impact of social change on backward classes can be observed in many areas, especially with respect to their life-styles and their relation to the political system.

The process of Sanskritisation and Westernization accelerated during the British rule. These processes led to a change in the life-styles of the backward classes.

The advent of independence, adult franchise, democratic-decentralization with a three-tier Panchayati Raj system have increased the access to political power. The backward classes have somewhat benefitted and wield political power. 

Scheduled Tribes 

Despite their isolation, the sanskritic ideas and values impacted the scheduled tribes in the recent decades. It led to the integration of several tribals into the Hindu society. The Bhumij of Eastern India, Raj Gond in Central India underwent cultural assimilation. 

Christian missionaries were a significant factor of social changes for the tribals. Through conversion, there was a process of westernization. Educational and health facilities were provided to them. e.g. North-Eastern tribal such as Mizos, Nagas, Khasis etc. 

The physical isolation of most of the aboriginal tribes drew to an end when the modern means of communications like railways and roads were introduced in the 19th and early 20th century coupled with the sudden growth of population. This caused the land hungry peasant of the plains to invade the sparsely populated tribal regions of middle and South India. The onslaught of the traders and moneylenders from the plain played havoc with the tribals who lost heir economic independence and a lot of land. Their cultural and social life was disrupted. There were three schools of thought in this regard:

(1) J.H. Mutton and V. Elwin supported tribal isolationism or no change. This policy was referred to as ‘National Park Policy’. 

(2) G.S.Ghurye and the social workers favoured assimilation of tribals. 

(3) The policy of integration advocated bringing the tribals into the mainstream without losing their distinctive culture and social organization.

Their distinct ethnic identity has led to organized political activity. There is a demand of tribal homeland by many tribals.  

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