Sociological Analysis

• From a functionalist view, PVTGs are seen as an essential part of India’s diverse social fabric. However, their isolation and distinct way of life often exclude them from the mainstream economy and social institutions, creating dysfunctions such as poverty, illiteracy, and health issues. The PVTG Development Mission can be interpreted as an effort to integrate these groups into broader society while maintaining their cultural identity.
• The conflict theory highlights the power imbalance between PVTGs and more dominant groups. PVTGs often face exploitation and deprivation due to their lack of access to resources, political power, and economic opportunities. Their marginalization is a result of the historical and ongoing dominance of more powerful tribes and mainstream society. The lack of targeted resources in tribal development funds is a reflection of this systemic inequality.
• According to Postcolonial and Subaltern Studies Perspective, PVTGs, as a colonized and subaltern group, have been historically marginalized by colonial and post-colonial development policies that did not take their unique lifestyles and needs into account. The postcolonial approach would critique the state’s efforts as potentially paternalistic, suggesting that development projects should prioritize PVTGs’ agency and respect for their indigenous knowledge systems.
• From a cultural relativist standpoint, the distinctive practices and values of PVTGs should be understood within their cultural context. Their reliance on hunting, shifting cultivation, and traditional medicine should not be viewed as backward but as sustainable practices deeply connected to their environment and way of life. Any development interventions need to be culturally sensitive to avoid undermining their social structures.
• The intersectional analysis emphasizes how PVTGs face multiple layers of marginalization due to their intersectional identities—being indigenous, often geographically isolated, economically disadvantaged, and socially vulnerable. This compounded marginalization makes it crucial for development policies to address not just economic aspects but also issues related to social justice, education, healthcare, and cultural preservation.
• Symbolic Interactionism perspective would focus on the micro-level interactions between PVTGs and the state or development agencies. The way PVTGs are labeled and categorized can influence their treatment by policymakers and society at large. Interactionist analysis would explore how the identity of PVTGs is constructed and negotiated through these interactions and how this affects their inclusion or exclusion from mainstream society.
• The feminist analysis of PVTGs would focus on the specific challenges faced by tribal women, who often bear the brunt of poverty, illiteracy, and poor healthcare. It would emphasize the need for gender-sensitive policies that address the particular vulnerabilities of women in these communities, including their roles in subsistence economies and the additional burden of care work.