Jammu, 13 August (H.S.): The All India Adivasi Congress on Thursday, accusing the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration of neglecting the identity of 'Adivasis', vowed to fight for their constitutional rights, including protection of 'Jal, Jungle and Zameen'.

AICC National Coordinator Ritu Meena said attempts to describe Adivasis as Vanvasi amounted to an assault on their identity and alleged that such efforts were aimed at depriving the community of its basic rights.

BJP and its centre-led government are ignoring the basic rights and identity of Aadivasis. The attempts to name Adivasis as 'Vanvasis' are a serious assault and a conspiracy to deprive them of their basic identity, Meena told reporters here.

Meena also criticised the alleged absence of greetings from the top BJP leadership to the Adivasi community on International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on August 9.

It is unfortunate that despite Adivasis constituting a population of more than 10 crore in the country, the top BJP leadership did not extend greetings to the community on August 9, which is an occasion to celebrate their identity, culture, heritage, pride and rights, she said.

She said the Congress is committed to fighting for the constitutional rights of Adivasis, the development of tribal-inhabited areas, education and employment opportunities for tribal youth and the protection of their land, water and forest resources.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar