New Delhi:
The government today said steps will be initiated to discuss inclusion of Jarawa tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the mainstream rather than leave them in "beastly condition" in the wake of a video footage showing semi-naked tribal women dancing before tourists.
According to Tribal Affairs Minister V Kishore Chandra Deo, the tribe needs to enjoy benefits of development but a discussion is needed with several groups, including Jarawas, to arrive at a conclusion to bring them into the mainstream.
"As far as my personal view is concerned, it would be totally unfair to leave them (Jarawas) in a beastly condition forever. At the same time I am certainly not the one who would like to expose them to mall and junk culture," he said.
Stressing that the process cannot be done in haste, he said, "They also have to enjoy benefits of development, but it has to be a gradual and slow process. I think there has to be a consensus on this after discussions with different groups. I hope we have to start a dialogue on this issue."
Replying to a question on progress in the inquiry which was ordered by the Home Ministry following alleged exploitation of Jarawa tribals who were forced to dance before tourists in return for food, Deo said the matter is being pursued and they are trying to identify the videographer.
"The Home Ministry is pursuing the matter. They are trying to locate the person who had videographed the particular scene," he said, adding that the video has been sent for technical evaluation.
Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) of Andaman & Nicobar Islands are personally monitoring the matter and once we apprehend the person, stringent action will be taken, he added.