Demand for Bhil Pradesh

News Highlights 

The Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP), a political party based in Gujarat, envisions Bhil Pradesh as a separate state carved out of 39 districts spread over four states: 16  in Gujarat, 10 in Rajasthan, seven in Madhya Pradesh, and six in Maharashtra.

Demand for Bhil Pradesh

• Who are Bhils?
  • They are a tribal ethnic group which is present in multiple states in India.
  • They belong speak Bhil language (include in  Indo – Aryan language)
  • Beliefs practiced by Bhils
    •  They worship local deities like Khandoba , Kanhoba , Bahiroba etc.
    •  They also worship tiger god like vaghdev.
    •  They do not have temple their own and they consult Bavas
  • Festival – Baneshwar fair

History of Bhil Pradesh

• During the British period the Bhils were  governed by an old feudal structure .
• The Bhils mainly in Rajasthan and  Gujarat worked as bonded labour.
• During the time of 1899  – 1900 Deccan famine the tribals were worst affected which led to social reform movement called Bhagat Movement which is led by Govind Guru with ideas of 
  • Questioned policies of British
  • Vegetarianism 
  • Avoiding alcohol 
  • Rejected bonded labour 

• The movement resulted in the Mangarh massacre by the British on the belief that the Bhils were going to revolt for the Bhil state.
• As an effect of the massacre the tribal leader Govind Guru  conducted another gathering and demanded for Bhil state in 1913.
• These movements inspired Bhils to ask for a separate state called Bhil Pradesh.

Reason for Bhil Pradesh Demand 

• Before independence of India the regions  Dungarpur , Banswara , Udaipur region of  Rajasthan , Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh respectively  was part of a single entity but after independence the region was divided resulting in loss  of  their organised structure and unity.
• The promises given by ruling parties for protection of  Bhils that include protection under fifth schedule under Article 244(1) of the constitution have not been fulfilled .

Constitutional Provision for  New State  – Article 3

• Article 3 provides for creation of new state 
• The Indian constitution gives the Union government the authority to create new states from existing ones or to merge two states into one. The procedure is known as state reorganisation.
• Reorganisation could be based on linguistic, religious, ethnic, or administrative factors.
• The bill in the parliament should be passed with a simple majority.
• Procedures
  • Presidential reference is sent to the State Assembly.
  • After presidential reference, a resolution is tabled and passed in the Assembly.
  • The Assembly has to pass a Bill creating the new State/States.
  • A separate Bill has to be ratified by Parliament.

Content : Indian Express