Madhya Pradesh is originally inhabited by tribal communities, with all other populations arriving later remarked Kamal Nath, the former Chief Minister and current state chief of the party.
He made this statement during an event in Bhopal commemorating the tragic deaths of tribal leaders Raja Shankar Shah and Kunwar Raghunath Shah at the hands of the British in 1857.
"A father and his son - Shankar Shah and Raghunath Shah - fought against the British, went to jail and later they were blown up with cannon. If we look at the history of Madhya Pradesh, the state belongs to the tribal people. Everyone else came later. But today, the tribals have to fight for their rights," he said, as reported by NDTV.
"You (tribal) learned to do the hard work but did not learn how to use your mouths. This is a big flaw in you. If anyone has the first right in the state then it is the tribal people and we together will fight for this right," he added.
"Many atrocities were committed against the tribal people in the state which were never reported and didn't come to light. Madhya Pradesh is number one in tribal atrocities and it embarrasses the state," Mr Nath said.
Criticizing the BJP, the Congress leader expressed that over the past 18 years, instead of providing support, the BJP has taken away from the tribal communities. He further emphasized that if the tribal people do not unite and assert their rights, they will continue to face such challenges and should therefore create a formal request outlining their demands.
"The upcoming assembly polls later this year are not of any candidate or the party. It is the election of the future of Madhya Pradesh. I have the most amount of hope from the tribal people. Don't support Congress or Kamal Nath. But support the truth. Tribal people have always supported the truth. If the tribal people are determined, no one can stop them from making changes," Kamal Nath added.
