Category: Tribals
Does Raising Questions on the Rights of Adivasis Make Me a ‘Deshdrohi’?
This short note was written by Fr Stan Swamy after the Jharkhand authorities filed a case of sedition against him for supporting the adivasi Pathalgadi movement.
Over the last two decades, I have identified myself with the adivasi people and their struggle for a life of dignity and self respect. As a writer, I have tried to analyse the different issues they face. In this process, I have clearly expressed my dissent over several policies and laws enacted by the government in the light of the Indian constitution. I have questioned the validity, legality and justness of several steps taken by the government and the ruling class. Read more
Courtesy: The Wire
Sourced from the jungles of Bastar, mahua to go mainstream under govt scheme
To popularise authentic tribal products across the country and increase its market share, the Tribal Affairs Ministry now plans to bottle mahua, the traditional tribal drink, and sell it in the open market across the country.
Pravir Krishna, Managing Director, Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), said it will be sold as a mildly-alcoholic drink. “We plan to add various flavours to mahua such as ginger, pomegranate and ajwain (carom seeds), and sell it in the market like a mildly-alcoholic beverage, on the lines of the (Bacardi) Breezer.” Read more
Courtesy: The Indian Express
In Kerala’s Adivasi belt, women are protesting to save a project for the poor that transformed lives
Adivasi women in Attappady tribal block in Kerala’s Palakkad district are protesting against what they view as attempts by the state government to scuttle a poverty alleviation programme that was launched in 2014 with financial assistance from the National Rural Livelihood Mission.
Since July 2, braving heavy rain and inclement weather, women have been assembling at a spot in Agali town both day and night to protest against any move to bring the Attappady Comprehensive Tribal and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups Development Project under the control of gram panchayats by delinking it from the National Rural Livelihood Mission. Read more
Courtesy: Scroll.in
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes seeks better compensation for tribals
“The Commission is of the view that the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 should be applicable to tribal communities being displaced from tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries. The NCST holds the view that the tribals are not being adequately compensated at the moment. So it arrived at this decision on Friday, that the LARR Act should be applicable to tribals in the reserve belts,” said the official. The LARR Act has provisions for compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement of communities when their land is taken away. Read more
Courtesy: The New Indian Express