Union Minister stresses collective action to preserve tribal languages, culture

Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durga Das Uikey on Monday called for a national resolve to preserve and promote tribal languages and culture, emphasising that collective efforts are essential to safeguard these invaluable heritage assets.

Inaugurating a national seminar on “Tribal Languages and Museums” in Bengaluru, organised by the Department of Scheduled Tribes Welfare and the Karnataka State Tribal Research Institute, Mr. Uikey said that museums documenting tribal languages, traditions, and the history of tribal freedom fighters could play a significant role in preserving the country’s cultural identity.

He noted that Mysuru, with its rich legacy of royal dynasties, art, literature, music, and folk traditions, was an appropriate venue for discussions on cultural preservation. The minister highlighted the close relationship between tribal communities and nature, adding that their contributions at various stages of Indian history have not been adequately recorded in mainstream historical narratives.

Expressing concern over river pollution and the excessive use of chemicals in agriculture, Mr. Uikey observed that modern society, in its pursuit of material prosperity, was gradually losing its balance with nature. Tribal communities, he said, are custodians of ancient knowledge and traditional ways of life.

Referring to the three-day discussions and workshops on tribal knowledge systems, traditions, education, and cultural values, the minister said tribal communities should have an equal role in India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Ensuring their participation in development and providing equal opportunities would contribute to the country’s overall progress, he added.

Minister for Scheduled Tribes Welfare T. Raghumurthy said that the disappearance of a tribal language would result in the loss of not only the language but also the community’s culture, traditions, and traditional knowledge. He called for greater priority to be given to the documentation, preservation, and revival of tribal languages.

Mr. Raghumurthy suggested preparing a comprehensive language profile covering the vitality of each language, number of speakers, geographical spread, inter-generational transmission, use in education, written and digital resources, and the status of existing documentation.

MP for Mysuru-Kodagu Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar said that coordinated efforts by the Union and State governments could help achieve better results in the overall development of tribal communities in Karnataka. The goal of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ could be achieved only when all communities progressed together, he said, adding that tribal communities had made immense contributions throughout Indian history and would have an important role in building a developed India.

Mr. Yaduveer said language preservation was not merely about saving languages but also about protecting local culture, traditional knowledge, and heritage. He stressed that discussions should focus not only on what governments could do for tribal communities but also on the contributions these communities could make towards nation-building.

Pointing to the importance given to tribal art and culture in Karnataka, he noted that several tribal art forms were showcased during the Mysuru Dasara procession and other cultural programmes held during the 10-day festival. Such cultural activities should be expanded further with the support of the Union government, he said.

The event was attended by Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs Joint Secretary Ananth Prakash Pandey, Karnataka Bovi Development Corporation Chairman Ramappa, Scheduled Tribes Welfare Department Secretary Kanagavalli, Central Institute of Indian Languages Director Basavaraj Kodagunti, and others.