The inquiry concerns the sociologist who posited that tribal institutions are not inherently required to be structured or function democratically. A review of the provided sociologists is as follows:
- Tiplut Nongbri: Her work is recognized for its contributions to the study of indigenous populations, gender, and identity politics.
- Virginius Xaxa: A sociologist with extensive research on tribal communities in India, focusing on their socio-political organization and difficulties.
- Verrier Elwin: An anthropologist who collaborated closely with tribal communities in India, advocating for their well-being and integration.
- G.S. Ghurye: A notable Indian sociologist known for his research on caste and social frameworks in India, encompassing tribal societies.
Considering this information, it was Virginius Xaxa who articulated that tribal institutions are not necessarily democratic.