New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday firmly assured tribal communities across India that the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will not encroach upon their rights, customs, or traditions. Speaking at a large-scale tribal conclave held at the Red Fort grounds in Delhi to mark the 150th birth anniversary year of tribal icon Birsa Munda, Shah categorically stated, “No provision of the UCC is going to be imposed upon tribal communities or Vanvasi society.” He added, “I want to make it absolutely clear that the UCC will not interfere with the traditions and customs of any tribal or Vanvasi brother or sister.”
Addressing participants at the “Janjati Suraksha Samagam” — a tribal mobilisation event organised by the RSS-linked Janjati Suraksha Manch (JSM) and Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram — Shah dismissed claims that the UCC could deprive tribals of their cultural and traditional rights. “A conspiracy has begun claiming that the UCC will deprive tribal communities of their culture, traditions, and their right to live according to their customs,” he said. Shah pointed out that BJP-ruled states like Gujarat and Uttarakhand have already made special provisions to keep tribal communities outside the ambit of the UCC, and assured that this approach would continue under the Narendra Modi government. “Wherever BJP governments have implemented the UCC, all tribal communities have remained outside its purview,” he stated.
The event drew participation from hundreds of tribal communities across India, with organisers claiming over 1.5 lakh attendees representing more than 500 tribal groups. The conclave also carried strong undertones of the Sangh Parivar’s ideological stance against religious conversions in tribal areas. Shah said that while the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to follow their indigenous faith with dignity, “nobody can convert anyone through allurement or by force.” He invoked cultural and historical references, including Lord Ram’s interaction with Shabari and Nishad Raj from the Ramayana, to underscore the unity between tribal communities and the broader Hindu cultural ethos. “Those trying to divide society forget that during Treta Yug, Lord Ram, by eating berries tasted by Shabari, had taught us that we are all one,” Shah said.
Shah also highlighted the BJP’s commitment to tribal welfare, noting that the government has significantly increased funding for tribal development. He stated that the tribal welfare budget had risen from ₹28,000 crore to ₹1.5 lakh crore under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Shah credited former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for creating a separate Ministry of Tribal Affairs, calling it a milestone in prioritising tribal welfare. He also pointed to the election of Droupadi Murmu as President — India’s first tribal President — as a symbol of political empowerment for the community. “In 76 years of Independence, no tribal person had occupied the country’s highest constitutional office. Narendra Modi ji elevated a woman from a poor tribal family to the post of President, bringing honour to the entire tribal society,” Shah said.
The Janjati Suraksha Manch, which organised the event, has been active in mobilising tribal communities around issues such as the demand to delist converted Christians from the Scheduled Tribes category. Its national convenor, Ganesh Ram Bhagat, and co-convenor Dr Rajkishore Hansda, both prominent RSS-affiliated functionaries, were praised by Shah for leading what he described as “the first movement after Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s Ulgulan Andolan to bring the nation together.” Shah also referred to the elimination of Naxalism, calling it a 50-year-old scourge that the Modi government has successfully addressed. “Today, I can proudly say that our country is moving towards becoming completely free from the Naxal problem,” he said. He added that over 40,000 tribal people had lost their lives due to the violence perpetrated by Naxal groups, and that the time had now come for rapid development in tribal regions, hills, and forests.
The conclave served not only as a platform to address apprehensions about the UCC but also to reinforce the BJP’s narrative on tribal welfare, cultural preservation, and national integration. By invoking Birsa Munda’s legacy and linking tribal identity with the broader Hindutva framework, the event underscored the political and cultural positioning of the tribal community within the BJP’s broader ideological vision. Shah’s remarks and the participation of thousands of tribal representatives signal the government’s intent to consolidate support among this key demographic ahead of upcoming elections and policy rollouts.
