Indigenous Communities: Human Rights and Right to Development Exploring the Indian Context

Abstract

Adivasi homelands are shaped by the social dynamics of resistance and oppression. Longstanding issues like poverty, marginalization and discrimination remain entrenched in their lives. The urgent need for development has to ensure that the differentiated and diverse views of the communities are considered and that no rights are hindered in the process. The communities must be adequately equipped and empowered to seek their own developmental needs. The study aimed to understand indigenous communities, their power to exercise rights and their aspirations for development. The paper shed light on the gap that still exists after 75 years of independence between the developmental aspirations of the indigenous communities and the consistent violation of their rights. There were certain dilemmas that one faces in understanding the developmental discourse of the states, rights fulfilled and unfulfilled and how indigenous communities resist and survive. While evaluating the social and economic rights of the Indian tribal communities, the paper attempted to outline the problems, and possible sustainable future options, relying on primary and secondary sources for its analysis.