Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday targeted the BJP and the RSS over the use of the term 'Vanvasi' and claimed it has been coined to deny tribals original ownership of water, forest and land, which belong to them since centuries.
Gandhi reiterated his demand for a 'caste census', which he said, is vital for tribals to get their share in power and wealth of the country.
He also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over India's trade deal with the US alleging that the agricultural sector had been opened up for that nation, something no PM had ever done.
Gandhi said, 'Adivasi refers to the original owners of India. Had you visited this land 1,000, 2,000, or even 5,000 years ago, you would have found that every single inch of land was in the hands of Adivasis.'
He claimed that the term 'Vanvasi' suggests that tribals merely happen to reside within the forests, and to call Adivasis as Vanvasis is an attack on the Constitution and revered tribal leader Birsa Munda.
Gandhi also spoke about the Indo-US trade deal, saying, 'No Prime Minister in India's history has ever opened up the agricultural sector before.'
He alleged that India has opened up the markets for pulses, soybean, fruits, and cotton, etc., and the country is set to purchase goods worth ₹9 lakh crore from America over the next five years.
Gandhi said, 'If we purchase goods worth ₹9 lakh crores from US companies, what will become of our own companies? What will happen to our SMEs?'
