Don't treat tribals like a football: Brinda Karat to Arjun Munda

Demanding protection of tribal land under the fifth schedule of the Constitution, CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat on Tuesday accused Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda of treating tribals like a "football".

"Chief Minister Arjun Munda has taken the tribals for a football, hitting them wherever he wished. Under the 5th Schedule, tribal land cannot be snatched away," Karat said while addressing a rally organised by Adivasi Adhikar Rastriya Manch here.

Accusing Congress and BJP of failing to protect tribal land, Karat claimed the rights of the tribals were being protected only by Left parties.

"Land at Nagari (on the outskirts of Ranchi) can't be taken away in the name of setting up educational institutions," she said amidst protests by Nagri villagers against the government's acquisition of land to set up IIM, IIT and National University of Study there.