After a Hindu Sammelan on January 5, the minorities' forum and Congress-Republican Pary of India rally on March 28, the Communists have now organised a rally of tribals at Karanjali near Peth tomorrow, to demand autonomous tribal development councils.

The rally has been organised by the `Kisan Sabha', the farmers' wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and is to be addressed by Member of Parliament and president of the Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha, S R Pillai. A spokesman of the Sabha said only autonomous councils could ensure tribal welfare. He pointed out that such councils in the north-eastern states had worked wonders in the region.

He alleged that tribals, who were illiterate and poor, were being exploited by Christian missionaries and Hindufundamentalists. He said while missionaries lured the tribals to Christianity, the `Brahminic' forces were more interested in promoting Hinduism than the welfare of the tribals. He added that tribals were also exploited by the bureaucracy.