Chhattisgarh tribal leader Arvind Netam praises RSS discipline, signals support for delisting post Nagpur meet

RAIPUR: Former Union Minister and senior tribal leader Arvind Netam after attending a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) event in Nagpur, said that the visit offered him a new perspective on Sangh’s inner workings. Speaking to the media on Saturday in Raipur, Netam said he discussed on measures to reduce the ideological distance with tribal population.Netam expressed appreciation for the RSS’ ideological discipline and openness to dialogue. Speaking to journalists, Netam thanked RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for inviting him.Netam announced a change in his position on the issue of delisting, which refers to the removal of individuals from the Scheduled Tribe list if they convert to another religion. He said that although he once opposed delisting, he now supports it as a way to check forced or induced religious conversions among tribal people. He said the issue of religion remains deeply complex and sensitive for the community.He brought up the protection of tribal land, forests, and water resources as another major concern. He argued that land acquisition for industrial use must not result in the permanent loss of tribal land ownership. Instead, he suggested that such land be provided on lease, allowing tribal families to retain their rights and connection to their land.He revealed that this was the first time he had been invited to an RSS event, and it gave him the opportunity to understand the organization beyond political perception. He said that he had a candid and meaningful conversation with Bhagwat, in which several issues concerning the tribal community were discussed.Netam emphasized the need for unity within tribal society and appealed to Sangh to help in overcoming internal divisions. He expressed concern over how tribal interests have often been neglected by both state and central governments.He remarked that during the liberalization policies of the Congress era—particularly under the leadership of Indira Gandhi and Narasimha Rao—tribal communities faced increasing threats. In his view, when all institutional support seems to fail, the RSS appears to be one of the few platforms still willing to listen and engage.Netam also addressed a long-standing contention with the RSS — the terminology used to refer to tribal communities. He noted that the Sangh previously used the term “Vanvasis” to describe tribals, a term that he and others strongly opposed. However, he acknowledged that the RSS has now begun using the term “Adivasi” in response to sustained pressure from tribal voices.Responding to criticism from Congress MP Deepak Baij, who questioned Netam’s growing proximity to the RSS, Netam fired back by asking whether Baij himself had converted to Christianity. He challenged the Congress party to clearly state its position on religious conversions, pointing out that the RSS has at least maintained clarity on the issue.Netam clarified that while the RSS is not a political organization, it plays a significant ideological role in society. He said he was particularly impressed by the discipline within the Sangh and the depth of the ideological discussions he witnessed. Recalling a previous meeting with Mohan Bhagwat in Raipur five months ago, Netam said they had also discussed crucial topics such as religious conversion, environmental threats, and the negative impact of industrial policies on tribal land rights.Although he stated that he never had a strong personal attraction to the RSS in the past, Netam explained that his lifelong work in social service likely played a role in the Sangh inviting him to engage in dialogue. With tribal rights and identity becoming central to national discourse, Netam's willingness to engage with the RSS could be seen as a turning point in how tribal issues are addressed in political and ideological spaces.