Tribal’s vote boycott”, new trend of protests

By  Firstdespatch Desk   Apr 27, 2024

Agartala, Apr 27 (FD) Hundreds of tribal voters of Simna constituency gathered in a place on the day of general elections on April 19 and vociferously announced that they would not participate in the grand festival of democracy (Ganatantrer Mahotsav) or otherwise known as elections.
This was not the single instance. The same incident was repeated in the second phase of elections in East Tripura constituency. Second incident had occurred in Ampi assembly constituency, where the tribal voters again declared that they would not cast their votes.
In both the cases, the issue is same that unless roads to their hamlets are not constructed or they get potable water, they would not participate in the elections even as the Election Commission was campaigning for 100% participation of voters in the election process. 
This may be a new trend, but cannot be called unjustified as they had long been remained deprived right from monarchy to the elevation of democracy. If a village is not connected by good roads, ambulance or fire brigade cannot enter into their village to deliver their services. In absence of roads, the tribal people who live  a hard life cannot get market connectivity to sell the products of Jhum.
Even as it is the duty of every citizen to cast their votes, at the same time they have also the right to earn their livelihood.
They were given assurances by many political leaders in different times of different governments that their villages would be improved and would enjoy the benefits of modern civilization, but their dreams were shattered always. No one kept their promises. If anyone cannot keep their words or give false assurances cannot be treated as crime? Whether can we say that exploitations for time immemorial had for the first time desisted from voting, which is a mark of protests?
This is only the beginning like germination of seeds, which would turn into a tall and big tree. Why the leaders are so silent now? They should come forward to reply. FD JK