Arundhati has got it all wrong—the facts speak out against her romantic notions of the tribals’ fight

by MulaiAzhagi Sat Apr 21, 2012 8:52 pm

Our problem is not the state, but culture. We cannot solve this by replacing the state. The corrupt, caste-minded, feudal, oppressive Indian will remain to man it, whatever form the new state may take. It is wrong for Maoist ideologues to see this as oppression of one community by another. The tribal is as rapacious as the Hindu when he has power. Shibu Soren and Madhu Koda are tribals.

When all’s said and done, the solution to such problems in dysfunctional societies like India is simple, though boring. Communities must start taking responsibility for themselves. They cannot wait for a revolution to come to their doorsteps and clean their neighbourhoods, or to care for their infants, or to teach hygiene to their women or to educate themselves. Nor can they entirely depend on the state either, though they must vote against those who fail to help them do this.

Experience has also shown that in tribal areas where external influence has been allowed, it can be a force for good. The tribals of Mizoram have 90 per cent literacy because of work done by the Presbyterian church. Shielding tribals from the outside world keeps them just as they are. This might have aesthetic appeal for some, but most tribals don’t think so. That is why the Salwa Judam militia attacks those who are their brothers and sisters. Unfortunately, this isn’t the sort of thing we can blame the whole world for, and so it isn’t good material for belles lettres.

http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?280609

by Kris Sat Apr 21, 2012 9:40 pm

>>Didn't this Aakar Patel write something else recently? Anyway, Patel's point of Ms. Roy missing the details is spot on, but she will continue to paint this black and white view of the world (tribals vs, the rest of the world i.e. exploiters) and will preempt any meaningful analysis of the reasons for tribals' lot. Why? Simple, she will not be denied her raison d'etre. Given that, the best strategy would be to just stop engaging her altogether.

Arundhati has got it all wrong—the facts speak out against her romantic notions of the tribals’ fight

Arundhati has got it all wrong—the facts speak out against her romantic notions of the tribals’ fight

Re: Arundhati has got it all wrong—the facts speak out against her romantic notions of the tribals’ fight