Chhattisgarh Political economy issue- ‘Salwa Judum’

The tribal majority state situated in central India, is mainly divided into three parts-

The state from recently bifurcated from the earlier big state of Madhya Pradesh, is well known for
abundance of various natural resources forest produce as well as being hotspot of infamous naxalite
movement- especially in region of Bastar- Dantewada.

No any political party emerged in belt of central Indian state including Chhattisgarh, which will represent
the interests of the various social groups living in the region. The political competition in the state
remained between two mainstream national parties- Indian National Congress (INC) AND Bhartiya
Janata Party (BJP) namely. The governance system shows some characteristics of the competitive
populism in certain manners like promise of BJP providing rice at 3 rupees per kg cost to BPL families
while the Congress promises 2 rupees per kg rice grains. Policies like free electricity to poor, low interest
agriculture credit were applied to persuade the median voter.

The politics of Chhattisgarh can also be seen as through lens of sovereignty- in the interior parts the
armed conflict between the naxalite and the State machinery is also act of determining who will be the
sovereign power in the land. The elites in the Chhattisgarh mobilize the masses on the name of
‘Chhattisgarhi identity’

In the elections, both mainstream parties do not show much difference in terms of policy stand. The
‘Salwa Judum’ was supported by the both parties equally. The Salwa Judum is a state sponsored militia
colored as ‘people own movement against Naxalite repression’ which has started in 2006 actively
working in Bastar and Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh. The Salwa Judum started by local congress
MLA and Leader of opposition Mahendra Karma, to oppose the naxalites. Over time with government
support- monetary as well as weapons, the Salwa Judum becomes influential organization which
unleashed violence, atrocities on people in the name of curbing the naxalism, which caused forced
migration of thousands of local tribal people in the region.

What went wrong-?

- The political parties fail to represent the best interest of local people.
- Lack of emphasis on participatory development activities.
- The forced transition of local villagers from interior forests to roadside camps by Salwa Judum
- State legitimacy to the ‘Salwa Judum’ project- which gave coercive powers to SPOs.
- Lack of non-elite mobilization and collective bargaining power of tribal groups
- Constituency delimitation exercise which reduced the tribal representation in state assembly.

The tribal constituencies need to be reorganized and the major adivasi population shouldbe mobilized
under the just demands of equitable development, the adequate political representation and equitable
distribution of resource can help to solve the local issues rather than the violent movements like ‘Salwa
Judum’

https://www.india-seminar.com/2008/591/591_louise_tillin.htm