After Maoism, the next battle is for Adivasi trust, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• India was officially declared Maoist-free on March 31, 2026.
• The Union Home Minister announced 2031 as the next milestone for ensuring comprehensive Adivasi welfare in Bastar.
• The government aims to achieve this through democratic values, cooperation, and development, expanding welfare scheme outreach.
• The article emphasizes the critical need for earnest implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) (PESA) Act, 1996, to build Adivasi trust.

Detailed Insights:

• The declaration of India as Maoist-free marks a significant achievement in internal security.
• The post-Maoist strategy focuses on integrating Bastar's Adivasis into the mainstream through development and welfare.
• Addressing core issues related to "jal, jungle, zameen" (water, forest, and land) is crucial for gaining Adivasi trust.
• The PESA Act, 1996, is designed to empower Gram Sabhas in Fifth Schedule Areas with self-governance and resource management.
• Historically, the implementation of PESA has been inconsistent across states, often undermining its intended spirit.
• Strengthening the Gram Sabha's decisive powers, particularly its consent on matters affecting livelihoods, is vital for positive peace.
• Attempts, such as the Chhattisgarh government's 2022 proposal to replace "consent" with "consultation," have threatened to dilute PESA's essence.
• Genuine participatory governance is essential to allow Adivasis to define their own integration into the mainstream.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Maoism: A form of communism advocating for a peasant-led revolution through armed insurgency, historically prevalent in parts of India.
• PESA Act, 1996: A law extending Panchayati Raj provisions to Fifth Schedule Areas, granting significant powers to Gram Sabhas over local resources and governance.
• Gram Sabha: The basic unit of local self-governance in rural areas, comprising all adult voters registered in the electoral rolls of a village.
• Fifth Schedule Areas: Regions in India with a predominant tribal population, governed by special provisions under Article 244(1) of the Constitution.
• Jal, Jungle, Zameen: A phrase representing the critical resources of water, forest, and land, which are fundamental to the livelihoods and cultural identity of Adivasi communities.