.webp)
The Controversial Statement
The Governor made a pointed remark that has since gone viral: "Are tribal children only meant for dancing in government programs?". This statement was made during the "State Level Tribal Sub-Plan Workshop," an event focused on tribal development.
Context and Criticism The timing of this remark has raised eyebrows because it comes at a time when tribal students have shown the best performance in the recent board exam results, indicating an improvement in the quality of education in tribal areas. Critics argue that instead of motivating these students, the Governor chose to make a provocative statement. Furthermore, it has been pointed out that the performers at such events are often professional tribal artists who are paid for their work, not children dancing for free.
Political Implications The Governor's stance is being viewed through a political lens, especially as it aligns with the narrative of the Congress party, which has termed the ongoing delimitation process as "anti-tribal". Observers suggest that as a Governor, he could have discussed these concerns privately with the Chief Minister rather than raising them publicly from a government platform. Questions are also being raised about why he chose to focus only on the Tribal Department when there are over 150 complaints regarding discrimination against tribal professors and corruption in the Higher Education Department, which falls directly under the Governor's protection.
The "Investigative" Timeline
An investigation into the Governor's recent activities reveals a flurry of meetings leading up to this "outburst":
Early April: The Governor was active in public reviews concerning health schemes and visited Mandu.
April 6 onwards: He remained largely at Raj Bhavan, meeting various influential figures.
April 9-15: He held significant meetings with the Managing Director of Bansal Group, as well as several ministers including Kunwar Vijay Shah (Tribal Affairs), Narendra Shivaji Patel, Prahlad Singh Patel, and Rakesh Singh.
April 16: The Governor finally made the controversial statement at the tribal development workshop in the presence of the CM.
Interestingly, while he attended several programs related to Tantya Mama Bhil, he did not attend any public events for Ambedkar Jayanti, choosing instead to perform a formal ceremony within Raj Bhavan.
This sudden shift in the Governor's demeanor has left many wondering about the underlying political "gambit" at play in the state's tribal politics. - Updesh Awasthee.
