There are 104.3 million Scheduled Tribes, also called tribal or Adivasi, who are the indigenous peoples of India, constituting 8.6% of the country’s total population. 90% of them live in rural areas without access to basic facilities and the COVID-19 pandemic has made their situation worst. In the largest democracy which India is, the Scheduled Tribes have been provided specific protective provisions in the Constitution, such as the Fifth and Sixth Schedules that provided them a certain level of autonomy. There are also laws to criminalize caste-based atrocities and protect their rights to land, forest and community resources. Yet, they have faced criminalization and violence with impunity.
“Situation of the Indigenous Peoples in India – Annual Report 2021” details the main human rights situation of the indigenous peoples/Scheduled Tribes of India during the year 2021. This is the only situational report for the year available in India.
The report can be accessed at “Situation of the Indigenous Peoples in India – Annual Report 2021”