The forgotten people, The Hindu 12Dec06

Early in this book, G.N. Devy offers what he calls "a random list of what we have given the adivasis" through 60 independent years, but perhaps going back centuries. Here's part of that list: "Forest Acts depriving them of their livelihood; a Criminal Tribes Act and a Habitual Offenders Act; ... existence as bonded labour; forest guards and private moneylenders; mosquitoes and malaria; naxalites and ideological war-groups; ... and perpetual contempt." Sobering reading. What did this country's original inhabitants— its adivasis— do to deserve this? And does it explain the `silence' in the book's subtitle? >>>