The nightmarish incident of Mathan, a labourer, being dragged in a car near Kuruva island in Wayanad is not going to elicit any clarion call for reforms in the society.

In ‘Aranyak’ composed between 1937 and 1939 and published in 1939, Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay terms tribal as the owners of this world. Not just in India, but also in Australia, America and Africa, tribals are the real owners of the land. But remember the fate of red Indians in America?

Even in death, Adivasi communities remain in a muddle. The works, artefacts and everything that was born under their craftsmanship will be seized and placed in the museum after their death. These will be later placed for auction only for some white-skinned Americans to splash a hefty amount to buy the craft and display the same in their showcase.

Central and state governments allocate funds for tribal protection. Even there are laws to ensure this. The money allotted by the government is lavishly spent on buying new official vehicles for officers and for unwanted travels, let alone for the welfare of tribals. Yesterday, there was news about an ambulance being denied to take the corpse of a tribal woman. What a pity.

The gruesome mob attack and murder of Tribal youth Madhu remains a stain on the cultural ethos of Kerala. All those involved in the dastardly act are roaming free; thanks to the high connections they harbour with political elites. Apart from talking about tribal welfare, what is being done in practice? Not just this government, even if Mahatma Gandhi’s party comes to power, the situvation will be no better.

When Mathan was dragged half a kilometre in the car, somebody could have thrown a stone at the car to stop it. Nobody dared to get involved. Even during the final moments before death at the hands of the mob, Madhu graced a smile on his face. Mathan is lucky enough to get his life back. In this case, too, the accused will have connections with the political elite and their bail will just be a matter of time. This is a world only for people with power. Justice for the Adivasis is not just a farfetched dream but even a crime to think about.