Tribal Identity, Justice, and Inclusive Growth in India

There are more than 645 distinct tribes in India having their unique identity in the form of their cultural, social, economic, and religious characteristics. They are scattered all over India in different states. According to the 2011 Census, there are 10.43 crore Scheduled Tribes in the country or 8.6% of the total population. 2.8% of Scheduled Tribes live in urban settings, which is a pitiful percentage. In the Lok Sabha, 47 seats are set aside for Scheduled Tribes. The first schedule of the Representation of People Act, 1950, as amended by the Representation of People (Amendment) Act, 2008, provides a breakdown by State. Their presentation is there but still the overall development among the tribes is not visible. There are not all-inclusive and suffer from major socio-economic issues and challenges. This paper highlights their identity, justice, and growth-related aspects.