Appeal to all Political Leaders of India for sponsoring a Tribal candidate for the 13th President of India

Most Respected Sir/Madam,

         We send you cordial greetings from Tribal Peoples of India!

        Sir/Madam we, for and on behalf of the Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (ICITP) only apex national umbrella organization of more than 310 Tribal organizations of India representing the 700 Tribal Communities (Adivasis) of India would like to draw your humble attention to the following facts for your kind consideration and necessary action.

       As you are aware of the fact that we the Adivasis (The Indigenous and Tribal Peoples) are the sons of the soil in this country and the custodians of life sustaining resources, values, rich culture and traditions.

        We are aware of the fact that Indian political leaders including you are busy looking for a suitable candidate for the forthcoming 13th Presidential Election for the nation.  Within the period of sixty five years of independent India, apart from the dominant society, three terms went to the Muslim minority, one term to the Sikh minority and one term to the Scheduled Caste (S.C.) but unfortunately the people in India could never found President, Vice President or Prime Minister from the weakest section of the society particularly the Adivasis (Indigenous and Tribal Peoples) of this country. We as the weakest section of the society in India have been simply neglected, suppressed, oppressed, marginalized, exploited and deprived for so long though they have been contributing equally in the Nation building processes. Under these circumstances, the following questions arise:

• Are we, the Adivasis (The Indigenous and Tribal Peoples) of India are regarded as equal citizen or as the 2nd class citizen in this country? 

• Does the privileged society still think that the Adivasis (The Indigenous and Tribal Peoples) in India are not capable of serving the nation in such capacities as mentioned above? or

• Is it because the Adivasis (The Indigenous and Tribal Peoples) do not have any national political affiliation to facilitate or lobby for these processes?

            We strongly feel that the national political parties and the politicians in India must rethink to give a chance to the capable personalities belonging to the Adivasis, the weakest section of the Indian Society, who are otherwise equally competent with the privileged society for these top posts to serve the nation.  Unfortunately, the Adivasis (The Indigenous and Tribal Peoples) in India have been mere colonized, dominated, exploited, suppressed, oppressed and politically marginalized by the privileged society in every respect. We also strongly feel that our national political leaders have been talking about the reservation for minorities and underprivileged to win the hearts of the grassroots to buy votes to remain in power but utterly failed to understand the sentiments, the voices and ordeals of millions of the Adivasis (The Indigenous and Tribal Peoples) of India.

            The Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (ICITP) the only apex body of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of India, therefore would like to appeal to all the political parties and political leaders to seriously consider nominating the 13th President of the nation from the Adivasis (The Indigenous and Tribal Peoples) to prove your commitments to the Constitution of India that we all are equal citizen in practice on the ground reality.

            In this connection, ICITP on behalf of the Adivasis (The Indigenous and Tribal Peoples) of India would like to appeal your honour to sponsor nominating an appropriate Senior Adivasi Ratna Shri Ranjit Shekar Mooshahary, the Governor of Meghalaya, Shillong, who is an honest, most competent and popular Adivasi son of this country as a consensus candidate to the post of the President of India for the 13th President's election from your UPA-II. If this is fulfilled, the Adivasis (The Indigenous and Tribal Peoples) of India will feel that justices are beginning to be delivered by the privileged society, which will surely assuage the feeling of long neglect and discrimination.

            Further, considering the UN 2nd decades of the World Indigenous Peoples, this will raise credential of Indian Nation in the eyes of the International Community.

            That Sir/Madam, we are aware of the fact that for this, India needs strong political will and courage and this is only possible if you are taking up the matter.

            Looking forward to seeing your just, exemplarily and historic decision in the history of Indian politics and a strong political will and fulfilment of your shared responsibilities towards the constitutional safeguard and upliftment of weakest section of the people, particularly the Adivasis (The Indigenous and Tribal Peoples) of this country.

                                                                  With highest regards,

(Jebra Ram Muchahary)                                                                            (Dr. Cecil Khakha)

    Chief Advisor, ICITP                                                                             Secretary General, ICITP

          New Delhi                                                                                               New Delhi.