By Special Correspondent
Bhopal: The final results of the Madhya Pradesh Civil Judge 2022 examination have triggered widespread shock and anger across the tribal community, after it emerged that not a single Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidate was selected for any of the 121 posts reserved for the category. Of the total 191 vacancies, 121 were earmarked for ST candidates, yet the outcome yielded zero selections a development described by tribal leaders as not merely an “administrative failure” but a glaring example of systemic bias and structural discrimination entrenched within the recruitment process.
For the fourth consecutive year, a similar pattern has surfaced: ST candidates struggle to even qualify for the Mains stage. According to tribal organisations, the preliminary stage is marked by cut-offs, evaluation criteria and procedural norms that disproportionately eliminate tribal aspirants at the very outset, preventing them from advancing meaningfully in the competition.
Dr Vikrant Bhuria, National President of the Adivasi Congress and MLA from Jhabua, condemned the outcome as a direct assault on the spirit of the Constitution. He asserted that reservation is a constitutional right ensuring equal opportunity, not a form of charity. The complete absence of ST selections on 121 reserved posts, he said, is a violation of the foundational principles of justice, equality and social justice. It raises serious concerns about transparency and credibility, while exposing how the path to judicial and constitutional institutions has been narrowed for tribal youth.
Dr Bhuria warned of the far-reaching implications of the result, stressing that judicial representation for tribals is already on the brink of collapse. With little or no presence in the justice system, he argued, issues central to tribal life forest rights, land dispossession, police excesses, displacement, mining and traditional practices will be left without an authentic voice. “This is not just about 121 seats; it is about the identity, dignity and rights of nearly 1.5 crore tribal citizens in Madhya Pradesh,” he said.
He further linked the result to what he described as a long series of anti-tribal policies by the BJP government. Citing the allocation of nearly Rs 1.25 lakh crore under the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), he alleged that funds meant for tribal development were diverted across departments, preventing meaningful investment in education, health, employment and basic infrastructure in tribal regions.
Highlighting recent eviction drives near Alirajpur and forest clearing in Singrauli allegedly undertaken for corporate interests, Dr Bhuria said the government’s actions reflect a systematic attempt to weaken tribal autonomy, violate the Forest Rights Act and PESA, and prioritise private gain over constitutional safeguards.
The Adivasi Congress has demanded a judicial inquiry into the entire Civil Judge 2022 selection process, seeking full disclosure of screening methods, cut-offs, evaluation and interview patterns. Dr Bhuria called for oversight by the High Court, Supreme Court or an independent commission to ensure future reforms that guarantee fair representation of tribal candidates.
Asserting that the tribal community will no longer remain silent, he said the struggle now is for justice, constitutional values and the rights of future generations. He urged tribal organisations, civil society groups, intellectuals and citizens committed to social justice to unite and raise their voice so that equality and dignity become lived realities, not merely constitutional promises.
