Even as left-wing parties have been projecting themselves as champions of tribal issues, a low-profile organisation, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, considered to be close to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has decided to take to the streets to fight for the Adivasis of Maharashtra. Founded in 1952, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram has been low-profile in its pro-tribal and welfare activities across the country, where it has created its own following in tribal areas.

However, this time around, it will take on a more aggressive avatar with a show of strength, apparently to build a parallel movement to counter left-wing parties. On Tuesday, it will demonstrate and agitate against the BJP government at 40 tehsils of tribal-dominated areas in Maharashtra. The agitation assumes political significance in view of the CPM-organised tribal farmers' long march from Nashik to Mumbai early this year. The BJP government was taken to task by the poor tribal farmers by threatening an indefinite sit-in at Azad Maidan. They returned home only after getting some assurances. They had threatened to return to the city if pending demands were not met.