Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, on Tuesday said that India’s Janjatiya communities had long been denied due recognition and stressed the need for dignity, identity, and genuine empowerment to ensure their meaningful participation in nation-building.
Speaking at the release of the book Bhartiya Janjatiya Samaj at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in New Delhi, Rijiju highlighted initiatives undertaken under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, noting that the government had taken several steps to bring Janjatiya communities into the national mainstream, including inducting three members from tribal communities into the Union Council of Ministers.
The minister pointed to the government’s efforts to honour Janjatiya contributions to India’s freedom struggle, noting that November 15 — the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda — has been declared Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas as a tribute to tribal communities across the country.
Rijiju said that while Janjatiya communities have played a vital role in India’s history, many remain unaware of their own contributions and strengths. He described scholarly works such as Bhartiya Janjatiya Samaj as important in preserving history and strengthening community identity, and assured support for efforts to promote the book.
Reflecting on past decades, the Minority Affairs Minister said representation of Janjatiya communities after Independence often remained symbolic. He warned against approaches that engage with tribal communities under the pretext of service but undermine their cultural identity, stressing that respect and self-identity were central to Janjatiya society.
The book release programme was organised by the Janapada Sampada Division of IGNCA under its Gyanpath Series. Rijiju attended as the chief guest, while Antar Singh Arya, Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), was the distinguished guest, and Dr Asha Lakra, Member of the NCST, attended as a special guest.
Speaking at the event, Arya highlighted contemporary challenges facing Janjatiya communities and underscored the need for sustained policy interventions and cultural preservation. Lakra placed the themes of the book within the broader framework of social justice and inclusive development.
The book’s author, sociologist and educator Dr Sweety Tiwari, said Janjatiya society had maintained its cultural strength despite historical neglect. Emphasising the role of education, she said it should go beyond literacy to include awareness of rights and identity.
The event saw participation from scholars, researchers, students, and cultural practitioners, contributing to a broader discussion on the historical and contemporary role of Janjatiya society in India’s development.
