Latest news with #ArvindNetam
The Print
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Print
Veteran Chhattisgarh tribal leader Arvind Netam to address RSS volunteers
The 25-day training camp — 'Karyakarta Vikas Varg – Dwitiya,' is currently underway at the Dr Hedgewar Smriti Mandir at Nagpur, with 840 volunteers from across the country participating. The invitation to the 83-year-old tribal leader has raised some eyebrows in political circles given the role his political party had played during the 2023 polls in swinging crucial tribal votes in Chhattisgarh. Nagpur, June 4 (PTI) Veteran tribal leader Arvind Netam, who was a cabinet minister in the governments of Indira Gandhi and PV Narasimha Rao, will be the chief guest at the ceremony of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's volunteer training camp in Nagpur on Thursday. During the function, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will address the participants at the event which marks the completion of the training period for 'swayamsevaks' (volunteers). Former President Pranab Mukherjee had attended the concluding ceremony in 2018, drawing criticism from some sections of the Congress party. The presence of Netam, a prominent voice on tribal issues, is heightened by his political background and influence, particularly in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region. This invitation comes six months after Netam had met the RSS chief in Raipur to discuss tribal concerns. The former Union Minister, who hails from Bastar, had quit the Congress party before the 2023 Assembly elections and floated the Hamar Raj party, carved out of the Sarva Adivasi Samaj (SAS)- an umbrella group of tribal organisations. According to political analysts, Hamar Raj affected Congress's performance in at least two assembly constituencies in the 2023 assembly elections, and the Kanker parliamentary seat during the Lok Sabha polls. PTI CLS NP SKL NSK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
As Chhattisgarh tribal leader Arvind Netam heads for RSS event, why it isn't good news for Congress
In Chhattisgarh's political terrain, where tribal votes are a decisive factor, an RSS invitation to senior tribal leader Arvind Netam to an annual event at its Nagpur headquarters has sparked intense speculation. The former Union Minister in Indira Gandhi's Cabinet, who is from the Bastar region, will be the chief guest at the Sangh's 'Karyakarta Vikas Varg-Dwithiya Samapan Samaroh' on June 5. It marks the end of the three-year training period for swayamsevaks, or the Sangh cadre. It is the same event that former President Pranab Mukherjee attended in 2018, leading to criticism from some sections of the Congress. With the invitation leading to questions about political motives, the 83-year-old tribal leader said he planned to attend to maintain good ties with the Sangh and further the cause of tribal rights in Bastar. 'I am going to the RSS event as I want strong communication with the RSS to make them understand tribal issues. The biggest issue right now in Bastar is conversion. I believe if the RSS supports us, then the BJP government will pay heed to our demands. We are the ones who first invited RSS leaders to our tribal event in December last year. Also, months ago, I met Mohan Bhagwat in Raipur and discussed tribal issues,' Netam told The Indian Express. Netam said he would also discuss the need for a separate code for tribals in the Census. 'We have our own culture and religious practices. We do not want to be defined under any religion; we want our code. Due to talks, gradual changes are taking place. They (the RSS) are gradually calling us Adivasi and not Vanvasi,' he said. An influential tribal leader in Bastar, Netam still retains a lot of political heft. Months before the Assembly elections in 2023, he had quit the Congress. This came after he floated his political party, Hamar Raj, which he carved out of the Sarva Adivasi Samaj (SAS), an umbrella group of tribal organisations. At the time, Netam had said the formation of Hamar Raj was similar to that of the Sangh that has '50-odd independent groups under it, including the BJP'. In the elections, the Hamar Raj appeared to have hurt the Congress in at least two Assembly constituencies and is also estimated to have damaged the Congress's chances in the Kanker parliamentary seat in the Lok Sabha elections. Netam's apparent move towards the Sangh comes when the Congress is already struggling to regain tribal votes. When the party had stormed to power in 2018, it had swept the Scheduled Tribe (ST)-reserved constituencies, winning 25 of the 29 seats while the BJP had got three. However, failure to effectively address tribal issues led to it losing ground among Adivasis and in 2023, the Congress saw its tally of ST seats drop to 11 while the BJP bagged 17. The Congress, however, argues that even if Netam moves to the BJP, it won't have any adverse effect on its political fortunes. 'He (Netam) took a different political route and left the party. He is a big tribal leader, but we know the RSS's view of tribals. The RSS terms tribals as vanvasi (forest dwellers) and not Adivasi (the oldest inhabitants). So, does Netam agree with this? Politically, it will make no difference in elections … Bastar's public does not support him,' said the party's state communications chief Sushil Anand Shukla. RSS's state media cell in-charge Sanjay Tiwari said Netam was doing 'good work' for tribals and opposed conversions. 'We invite even those who are our critics,' he added. 'Thousands will be attending the event. Many who want to understand the Sangh will also be there.' BJP spokesperson Kedar Gupta said the RSS invitation should not be seen through the political lens. 'There is no political discrimination in the RSS. Before this, Pranab Mukherjee ji was invited and he graced the event. It is a nationalistic organisation that believes in working together with every section of society.'
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Raipur Diary: RSS invites Bastar tribal leader to Nagpur event
RSS invites Bastar tribal leader to Nagpur event Arvind Netam, a veteran tribal leader from Bastar and former Union Minister, has been invited to a national-level function of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at its headquarters in Nagpur on June 5, leading political analysts to speculate if the move is a form of 'tribal outreach' by the saffron organisation. Though Netam parted ways with the Congress party in August 2023 in protest against the Bhupesh Baghel-led state government of the day, he has remained vocal about issues confronting the tribal community. It remains to be seen if the invitation is an attempt to court him and persuade him to join the BJP. 295 cops promoted for helping combat Maoists As many as 295 police personnel in Chhattisgarh have been promoted out of turn for showing bravery in combating Maoists. The state director general of police, AD Gautam, recognised their valour and determination during the operations. Among those elevated are low- as well as middle-rank officials from the district police, special task force and intelligence units. As many as 206 constables will now take charge as head constables, and 37 head constables will take on the role of assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs). Further, 15 ASIs have been made sub-inspectors (SIs), and 16 SIs are inspectors now. 3 babus accused in coal levy scam walk out of jail Three bureaucrats, including two suspended IAS officers, and three others accused in the Chhattisgarh coal levy scam were recently granted interim bail by the Supreme Court. IAS Ranu Sahu and Sameer Vishnoi as well as Saumya Chaurasia — who served as Deputy Secretary to CM Bhupesh Baghel — and others walked out of the Raipur Central Jail following the apex court relief. They were arrested by the ED in the money laundering case around two years ago, wherein a syndicate of government servants and private persons were accused of illegally levying money for the movement of coal. Two others accused in the case remain in judicial custody. Ejaz Kaiser Our correspondent in Chhattisgarh ejaz@
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
RSS invites Bastar tribal leader to key Nagpur event
Arvind Netam, a prominent tribal leader from Chhattisgarh's Bastar region and former Union Minister, will be the chief guest at a national-level Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) event in Nagpur later this week. At the annual 'Karyakarta Vikas Varg Dwitiya Samapan Samaroh', a volunteers' event scheduled to be held in Nagpur's Reshmibagh on June 5, Mr. Netam will be sharing the stage with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, according to the invitation letter. While Mr. Netam, a former Congressman, has categorically denied that the latest development has anything to do with his next political move, it has generated considerable buzz in the State because the 'Karyakarta Vikas Varg Dwitiya Samapan Samaroh' is an important event in the RSS calendar. Its significance was further underlined in 2018 when former President, the late Pranab Mukherjee, attended it as the chief guest. Quit Congress in 2023 After quitting the Congress in 2023, Mr. Netam – who was a Minister in the Union governments led by Congress leaders Indira Gandhi and P.V. Narsimha Rao in the past – floated his own party Hamar Raj. The party fielded candidates in the 2023 Assembly election and is understood to have caused some damage to the then ruling Congress in the Bastar region. However, since that election, he has maintained a quiet presence. The RSS invitation came as a surprise to Mr. Netam himself. 'I have had few interactions with the RSS in the past. However, four to five months ago, I met Mr. Bhagwat in Raipur and had a long discussion with him over several issues and perhaps that could have contributed to them choosing me as the chief guest,' Mr. Netam told The Hindu. RSS' national publicity in-charge Sunil Ambekar said Mr. Netam was invited as a social worker. 'He is a person who is doing social work in tribal areas, especially in Bastar, and he is doing good work to promote the tribal traditions there, that is why we have called him,' he said. Tribal outreach While observers say that Mr. Netam's scheduled participation is a move to widen the RSS' tribal outreach in a State where a third of its population are tribals, Mr. Netam said he would use the opportunity to discuss issues that were critical to the tribal communities. He added that such discussions were important because unless one convinced the RSS, such concerns might not 'percolate into the policies of the governments'. 'The BJP has formed the government at the Centre and in several States, including Chhattisgarh. So I am told that unless you convince the RSS, the BJP is not going to entertain any suggestion or representation from us as a community. This is only possible with mutual discussion. We want to know from the Sangh what will be the role of the tribal community after their displacement due to industrialisation and mining,' he said. The octogenarian added that he was against religious conversions that were 'happening rapidly' in the Bastar region. 'We will seek help from the RSS on how to check the problem with the help of others. This is our approach,' he said. While conversions have been one of the key issues raised by the BJP and RSS leaders in Bastar in the recent past, Mr. Netam's recent stance is a departure from his stand a couple of years ago when he emphasised the need for a consolidated political identity for tribals. Asked if the recent event was a prelude to Mr. Netam joining the BJP, a senior leader from Chhattisgarh did not give a reply but said he was a 'nationalist leader'. Mr. Netam, however, said there was no question of him joining the BJP as he had retired from active politics.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
At least, the RSS engages in thoughts and debates: Former Cong leader Arvind Netam
Arvind Netam, a seasoned tribal leader from Chhattisgarh and former Congress heavyweight, is once again in the spotlight. The 83-year-old has been invited by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as the chief guest at the valedictory ceremony of 'Karyakarta Vikas Varg Dwiteeya,' scheduled for June 5, 2025, in Nagpur. He will share the podium with RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat. RSS has placed the invitation at its official X handle. Netam, a veteran leader from Bastar, has witnessed the shifting political landscape since the onset of economic liberalisation. Speaking to IANS, he reflected on his current phase of life, describing himself as retired and convinced that little can be done to change the life of tribal people in the existing political framework. His invitation to the RSS event is widely viewed as part of the organisation's broader strategy to strengthen its engagement with tribal communities. Having spent his life advocating for tribal welfare, Netam has largely stepped away from active politics. While his interactions with the RSS have been limited, he acknowledges their recognition of his contributions. He sees his participation in the event not as a political move but as an opportunity to engage as a social worker. However, he believes the RSS still falls short of fully grasping the complexities of tribal regions. There remains gaps in their approach. His presence at the event marks a significant moment in the evolving relationship between tribal leadership and the RSS, raising questions about future collaborations and ideological shifts. He explained that when tribal leaders sought to address concerns with the BJP, they believed it was more effective to approach the RSS, though interactions were initially minimal. Asked about his discussions with the RSS chief Dr Bhagwat, Netam shared that he tried to explain how the organisation was failing to grasp the depth of tribal issues. He lamented that there is no other organization capable of handling such social concerns. 'Unlike political parties, at least the RSS engages in some level of thought on the matter.' He noted that they seemed somewhat convinced. In Nagpur, he intends to present his views on the challenges tribal people face. Netam emphasised that although he has withdrawn from active political engagements; his contributions have been recognised by RSS, and that is how he views the invitation. He believes the RSS has yet to fully understand the tribal issues despite having many influential thinkers. He says they sometimes ignorantly overlook critical aspects of tribal life. The real concern today, he asserts, is the adverse impact of liberalisation, which began in 1991, on tribal communities. He warns that the exploitation of natural resources by powerful governments, irrespective of ruling parties, will intensify, with Bastar standing as a prime example of the looming crisis. Recalling past experiences, he cited the formulation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) in 1996. Bureaucrats treated it as a mere formality, pushing for its passage without fully grasping its significance. He mentioned that some well-intentioned officials sought his assistance in addressing key issues. While state governments were eager to accept the Act, its true essence -- protecting tribal rights -- was largely overlooked. Issues such as displacement, access to water, forests, and land remain neglected, leading to irreversible damage. Netam expressed deep disappointment in rehabilitation efforts, stating that no displacement project has been effectively executed, leaving affected communities unheard. Regardless of which government is in power, the plight of displaced communities remains unchanged. Despite numerous laws being enacted, constitutional violations persist, and no government truly adheres to them. Netam stated that he sees himself as a social worker and has no further role left in politics. If he had remained in Congress, his approach to societal issues would have been much clearer. In hindsight, he believes he may have been naive in his expectations. Discussing the anti-LWE drive, Netam revealed that he had been vocal on the issue since 1980. Over time, interactions have diminished, and the Indian government has taken a firm stand and claimed credit for addressing the problem. The political dynamics between the 'Left and Right' influenced the Central government's firm stance. While action has been taken, he cautioned that ignoring the issues would have been a serious mistake. He witnessed first-hand how they were treated during his tenure. As long as Maoists remain active, they will be used as a justification for further exploitation. He questioned what comes next, noting that no one is seriously addressing displacement, healthcare, and other pressing concerns. The government's approach lacks urgency, allowing problems to escalate. Now, the presence of one lakh paramilitary forces in Chhattisgarh ensures that resource exploitation continues. Reflecting on his life, he acknowledged the challenges he faced in trying to highlight critical issues. Without intervention, he believes the situation would have worsened. He argued that tribal struggles have never been genuinely understood and that no government has ever explained the origins of LWE. He recalled visiting affected areas where officials dismissed concerns, reacting casually even when confronted with serious grievances. Asked what key points he intends to discuss with the RSS in Nagpur, Netam identified corruption as the biggest challenge. He remarked that finding a solution is incredibly difficult worldwide. He cited late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's observation that out of every hundred rupees allocated, only fifteen reach the intended beneficiaries. This problem persists, and despite repeated discussions, no government has taken meaningful steps toward a resolution. Issues such as religious conversions, displacement, and ineffective law enforcement continue to plague society. He believes there needs to be a fundamental shift in people's thinking. Responding to speculation, stemmed from the invitation, about whether he might join the BJP in the future, Netam dismissed the possibility. At 84 years old, he considers his political journey complete. His time in public service has turned into social services, and he no longer holds any aspirations. He said he had played his innings, and now, there was nothing left for him to pursue. His interest in political affairs has faded. His deep understanding of tribal issues stems from decades of experience, including his tenure as a parliamentarian in P.V. Narasimha Rao's government. He previously served as Minister of State for Education and Social Welfare in Indira Gandhi's cabinet from 1973 to 1977 and later held the position of Minister of State for Agriculture from 1993 to 1996 under Narasimha Rao.
