Vishakhapatnam | May | 21, 2023 ::
She calls for a formation of a new Tribal Policy to ensure development of Tribal languages, culture and form a Tribal History Academy. Hails contribution of left Revolutionary movement in tribal struggles.
Convention ends with call to fight for ‘Tribal identity’ and Development without Displacement’.
Condemns repression on tribals, forced eviction, forced assimilation into Hindu religion and communal division by RSS politics.
Forms 15 member committee All India Tribal Forum.
The one day All India Tribal Convention began with an appeal by the Chief Guest, renowned tribal author and activist, Dr. Vasavi Kiro from Jharkhand to fight for formulation of a New Tribal policy which will ensure development of tribal languages and culture and ensure formation of a Tribal History Academy. She highlighted aspects of traditional tribal medicine, cusines and other knowledge.
When she hailed the delegates with ‘Sonot Jooaar’ – Long live nature; Ootey abuwa - this land is ours, Bir aabuwa – the forests are ours and Disum Aabuwa – Desh is ours to house responded enthusiastic claps and loud slogans of ‘Jai Joohar’.
The delegates applauded again when she stressed that Adivasis should get organized fight for their rights and many non Adivasis who are the real friends of the Adivasis have contributed much to their struggle. She explained that while RSS led forces have been dividing the tribals and creating rifts, she knows that those who pledge by ‘lal Salaam’ have sacrificed much for Adivasi struggles.
In her 42 minute address Dr. Kiro said there are more than 700 million Indigenous people in the world, of which 200 million reside in India. Their 7000 indigenous cultures have been ignored and repressed even 75 years after colonial rule. India has more than 750 ethnic tribes of which 75 are most vulnerable. Their social, cultural, economic and political situation is very grave.
She said Adivasis in India suffer because of state policy which is based on ‘development induced displacement’, loot of forests and natural wealth, land alienation, degradation of nature, failure to recognize their indigenous religions like Sarna and attempts to forcefully assimilate them into Hindu religion, failure to implement their Constitutional and legal rights. She said of the 10 crore people uprooted in India 80% are Adivasis and Indigenous people.
Dr. Kiro explained that tribal people are simple and ignorant and they suffer illiteracy, backwardness, malnutrition and illness, all of which can easily be tackled if the govt wants. But Tribal women she said suffer more from anemia and illiteracy.
She came down heavily on BJP govt for following old policies of Congress rule period of giving away the resources of tribals to Corporations and MNCs. She said forests are property of Adivasis, only they should have the right to use it or give it. Development should mean that tribals and not corporations develop their resources and earn from them.
She ended by saying that while it is good that a tribal woman has had the opportunity to become President of India, Forest Rights are still not implemented and repression on tribals is continuing. She detailed all rights under the Forest Rights Act and said that implementation is tardy and on paper.
Reception Committee Honourary Chairman EAS Sarma, retired Secy to GOI said that the govt is bulldozing the Adivasis, attacking their rights and it should be mandatory that permisision of Gram Sabhas, Tribal Councils be taken in all matters pertaining to them. But this govt is so anti people that it does not consult even the National ST Commission. He said that the President and the Governors have the constitutional mandate to make laws that favour and help the Adivasis, but they do not use this power.
President of Reception Committee, senior Journalist Ramanamurthy explained how struggles have been continuing for long but there is a gap in being able to rally all forces fighting on these issues. He said the central govt in particular is denying all democratic norms to give away the land of adivasis to giant corporations. He hailed the Convention for raising the issue of Constitutional rights of tribals and trying to unify the Adivasi movements all over the country.
Guest speaker, senior Advocate and writer on Adivasi issues, Pala Trinadh Rao explained in detail the legal and constitutional securities for Adivasis in Scheduled areas and how the govt is undermining them to favour Corporations and MNCs. He was sharp in his attack on alienation of tribal lands for mining, reforestation, Tiger Sanctuaries, Polavaram and other projects and on changes being made in law and in rules for these purposes. He said a determined struggle on the ground helps in asserting the rights legally also.
AIKMS President, Com. V. Venkatramaiah released a book, “Bharat ki Krantikari Adivasi Auratein” written by Dr. Vasavi Kiro from the dais.
Speaking after this, Com Venkatramaiah appealed for widest possible unity of all Adivasi groups to wage a determined struggle for tribal rights. He sharply condemned ruling class parties who are sowing various differences amongst Adivasi groups bearing different backgrounds and promoting clashes in order to split their unity. He said even reservation rights in jobs and education are not implemented and are made an issue of mutual conflict. He called for formation of an All India Tribal Forum which can unite all struggling Adivasi forces is the need of the hour and articulate their issues in a focused manner. He appealed to all to learn from the SKM formation and struggle against anti farmer 3 black laws. He said we must build joint struggles on basis of issues. Earlier experience of forming Girijan Sangham in Srikakulam district was able to develop the movement to the stage of armed struggle.
The convention had begun in the morning with election of a 3 member Presidium, Dharmula Suresh from AP, Kedar Sabaraj from Odisha and Mukti Satyam from Telangana. A martyrs resolution was read by Rammohan and the house observed one minutes silence in their memory.
Mukti Satyam explained the draft call appealing for formation of the All India Tribal Forum. Various delegates from all 11 states were invited to the dais and they expressed their views.
Fraternal delegates who extended their greetings included Bikhshapati from President AIKMS Telangana, Srikant Mohanty of AIKMKS, Jakkala Venkataiya President of Telangana Rytu Smiti, Channapan from Tamil Nadu, Satyanarayan of All India Tribal Employees, R Jaganmohan Rao of AP Teachers Federation and Dr. Ram Kishan.
Mr John O Haokip and 2 other delegates of Manipur also attended.
Various delegates spoke and gave their suggestions. After incorporating all positive suggestions the call was passed with raising of slogans for advancing the struggle.
The Convention resolved in one voice a clarion call to form an ‘All India Tribal Forum’ to fight for Tribal Rights for land and livelihood, for the Right of Tribal ‘Development without Displacement’ and to ‘Save Forests and Environment’ and to prevent Climate Change and ‘Natural’ disasters.
The convention passed four resolutions:
1. Condemning repression on tribals in Burhanpur in MP, Chattisgarh and other parts of India including air strikes in Dandakarnya;
2. Supporting women wrestlers and demanding arrest of BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh;
3. Condemning RSS sponsored communal conflagaration and violence in Manipur, demanding not to infringe upon existing of tribal groups; and
4. condemning gang rape on tribal women by para military forces in Vakapalli in AP.
The Convention concluded with the 600 plus delegates from 11 states unanimously approved formation of a 15 member Forum Committee given the responsibility to expand the forum and struggle. This includes 4 convenors Mukti Satyam of Telangana, Kedar Saba from Odisha, Ramsai Soren from Jharkhand and another from AP. The members included Swapan Hansda and Sushil Lakhra from West Bengal, Dhanjay Oraon from Bihar, Bhimlal from UP, Chandan Soren from Delhi, Kanindra Jalika from Odisha, Sakru and Suvarnapaka Nageshwar Rao from Telangana and Mallesh and Durga from Andhra Pradesh. All of them were present on stage and they addressed the gathering.
Members from Arunodaya Cultural front, Nirmala, Durga, Venkat Lakshmi, Bal Nagamma, Sujata, Yeru Kondallu inspired the delegates with their revolutionary songs and dance performances.
