Latest news with #WorldIndigenousDay
Deccan Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
'Forcibly evicted from forest', Jenu Kurubas seek end to oppression
Adivasi families who have urged the government to recognise their rights in the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve on Sunday demanded an end to the injustice and 50 families belonging to the Jenu Kuruba community have pitched tents in the Karadikallu Atturu Kolli, claiming that the area is their ancestral land. To mark World Indigenous Day, they issued a detailed statement on Sunday, highlighting the failure of the government to restore their communities have alleged that they have been forcibly evicted from the release stated that despite filing claims since 2011 for recognition of various rights, the same have been rejected by the authorities on arbitrary grounds..'This historical injustice has pushed our communities and families into bondage in nearby coffee plantations owned by dominant caste groups. Historically, thousands of our family members were violently evicted from our ancestral lands and pushed into destitution while the tiger reserve authorities continue to promote commercial tourism,' the release Kurubas to get foodgrains during Monsoon.'Illegal' pvt said resorts have been offering private safaris, which is illegal, charging tourists exorbitant amounts..'We condemn this corrupt alliance between private tourism operators, coffee plantation-based resorts and tiger reserve authorities,' it said, seeking an investigation into the matter..J A Shivu, president of the Karadikallu Forest Rights Committee, said the government had to restore their rights and withdraw all cases filed against members of the community..'Since Nagarahole is an adivasi-populated region, there is an immediate need to declare it a fifth schedule region and implement the provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996,' said one of the demands in the charter to be submitted to the chief minister.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
St. Xavier's College cancels annual Stan Swamy Memorial Lecture after protest by ABVP
St. Xavier's College on Saturday called off its annual Stan Swamy Memorial Lecture after the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) protested against the event, alleging it glorified a person who was an accused in the Elgar Parishad–Bhima Koregaon case. The decision came days after the right-wing students' group wrote to the college administration. The lecture, hosted by the department of inter-religious studies (DIRS), was to have been delivered virtually by Fr Prem Xalxo, associate lecturer, faculty of theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University. He was scheduled to speak on the topic – 'Migration for Livelihood: Hope Amidst Miseries.' But, earlier this week, the ABVP wrote a letter to the college administration, strongly opposing the event, and demanded action from the state government against the event. 'This lecture glorifies a person who was declared as the main accused in the Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon case, and against whom charges have been filed under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967,' said the letter. Father Stan Swamy was a Jesuit priest and a tribal rights activist based in Jharkhand. He was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on October 7, 2019, and stayed in state custody till he died at a Mumbai hospital in 2021. Stating that these lectures are usually held on August 9 on the occasion of World Indigenous Day, Rector Fr. Keith DSouza, from St. Xavier's College, said, 'Our annual Stan Swamy memorial lecture has been delivered by reputed scholars who have done research in the area of history and development of indigenous peoples across the globe. The topic this year was on the theme of migration. While the lectures are on several themes related to indigenous life—which no one has objected to—we understand that the contentious issue is mainly about the nomenclature of the lecture series, named after Stan Swamy. However, from a Jesuit point of view, Fr Stan Swamy was an Indian citizen who was accused, but not as yet convicted of his alleged crimes till his demise. As per our Indian criminal jurisprudence, a person is innocent unless proven guilty.' Highlighting that the underlying motif of the DIRS is 'respecting the other', Fr D Souza further said, 'While we respect other perspectives and concerns, we hope to elicit a reciprocal attitude of respect from others as well. A controversy like this does not augur well for international higher educational relations.'
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Manipur's crisis should be solved by its own people, says Tipra Motha chief
IMPHAL: Tripura royal scion and Tipra Motha chief Pradyot Manikya Deb Barma has called on the people of Manipur to take charge of resolving the state's ongoing conflict, warning against letting national political parties manipulate local emotions. Tipra Motha chief Pradyot Manikya Deb Barma. 'I think the Government of India has done a lot, but they need to do more, and they need to be serious about it. They cannot just wait for things to change on their own. A healing touch has to come,' Barma told reporters on the sidelines of the World Indigenous Day 2025 celebrations on Saturday at the City Convention Centre in Imphal. 'Let me tell the people of Manipur don't allow national parties to play politics with your emotions. If you want to solve the problem, brothers and sisters have to sit together and bring in a solution,' he said, adding that Delhi's political priorities are largely driven by states with more Lok Sabha seats. 'Nobody in Delhi cares too much about Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland, Mizoram, or Sikkim… they are more concerned about Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, or Gujarat.' Barma emphasised that while central leaders may visit Imphal or Churachandpur to express sympathy, 'eventually the problems have to be solved by our own people.' The World Indigenous Day event was jointly organised by the North East Indigenous People's Forum (NEIPF) and Indigenous People's Forum, Manipur (IPFM) under the theme 'Indigenous People's Right to Self-Determination: A Pathway for Food Security and Sovereignty.' Delegates from all seven Northeastern states attended, with support from the United Nations. Among the prominent attendees were Kh. Ibomcha, MLA of Lamlai AC, Manipur; Ranjit Debbarma, MLA of Ramchandraghat AC, Tripura; Anup Chetia, Chairman of NEIPF; Rohan Philem, Vice President of IPFM; RK Meghen (Sanayaima), former Chairman of UNLF; and Amrik Singh Pahwa, Advisor to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India. Speakers at the event voiced serious concerns over illegal immigration into the Northeast, warning that it threatens indigenous identity and demographics. They urged urgent policy measures to safeguard land, culture, and rights. Notably, no representatives from the Naga community were present. On July 30, the United Naga Council (UNC), the apex Naga body, had issued a 'notice of stricture' directing all members of the Naga community under its jurisdiction to refrain from participating in the event, which it described as being organised by an 'unmandated organisation.' In an earlier statement, the UNC cited 'numerous reasons, factors, and complexities' for its decision, given the prevailing situation. 'What is detrimental for us and what is not cannot be always spelt out in the media. We don't dictate. The UNC works and functions with the Naga political movement as the guiding parameter,' it stated. The council also warned that any Naga who undermines or challenges the Naga political cause could face 'befitting actions,' without specifying the nature of such measures. The event concluded with a united call for indigenous communities to protect their heritage, identity, and future.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Odisha: Medha Patkar, 6 barred from entering Rayagada villages ahead of CM's visit
Bhubaneswar: Environment activist Medha Patkar and six others have been barred from entering five villages in Odisha's Rayagada district till Sunday afternoon. This comes two months after Patkar and over 20 others were detained by the Rayagada administration. (HT File Photo) Rayagada district collector Ashutosh Kulkarni said Patkar and six others, including activist Prafulla Samantra, are prohibited from entering, assembling, addressing any gathering, or participating in any public or quasi-public activity within the jurisdiction of Sunger, Adajore, Sindoor Ghati, Talajhiri, and Kashipur Gram Panchayats in the district from the afternoon of August 8 to the afternoon of August 10, under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. Members of two organisations — Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti and Maa Mati Mali Suraksha Manch — have also been barred from entering the area during this period. The district administration's order came a day ahead of chief minister Mohan Majhi's visit on Saturday to observe World Indigenous Day and distribute funds to women beneficiaries of the Subhadra Yojana. 'During the period, all forms of padayatras, public meetings, press briefings, socio-political gatherings, or protest assemblies in the said areas by the individuals or their known affiliates shall remain strictly prohibited. The Superintendent of Police is directed to ensure strict compliance with this order and to take necessary preventive and coercive action, including enhanced deployment, round-the-clock surveillance, and, if warranted, detention of violators to pre-empt any breach of peace,' a prohibitory order issued by the district administration said. Also Read: Odisha: Medha Patkar, IRS officer detained over planned protest against bauxite mining This comes two months after Patkar and over 20 others were detained by the Rayagada administration shortly after she arrived on June 5 to participate in a public meeting protesting the proposed bauxite mining by Vedanta Limited. In March 2023, the Odisha government issued a 50-year mining lease for a proposed bauxite mining project in the Sijimali hills, with bauxite mines extending over an area of 1,549 hectares. After facing setbacks in its attempt to mine the Niyamgiri hills, Vedanta's interest shifted to Sijimali as part of its strategy to secure bauxite. The Sijimali mines have an estimated bauxite reserve of 311 million tonnes and are likely to displace 100 families from 18 villages in two districts. Vedanta has applied for the mandatory environmental clearance under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and forest clearance under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. In October 2023, two public hearings in Rayagada and Kalahandi districts for environmental clearance ended amid widespread protests.
India Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Andhra tribals stage protest seeking basic needs ahead of World Indigenous Day
Ahead of World Indigenous Day tomorrow, tribal communities from remote hamlets in Andhra Pradesh's Alluri Sitaramaraju, Anakapalle, and nearby areas organised a protest to highlight their long-standing struggles. In a symbolic 'Doli (Palanquin) Yatra' covering nearly five kilometres, tribals demanded immediate action to provide essential amenities such as proper roads, drinking water, electricity, Anganwadi centres, community health facilities, and schools. advertisementStarting from Jajulu Banda village and passing through Pitri Gadda, Neellu Banda, and Pedagaruvu, the procession was a form of agitation to draw public and government attention to their plight. Despite road projects being sanctioned, construction remains incomplete, leaving thousands of families in parts of North Andhra inaccessible and without essential services even protest comes amid similar challenges faced by tribal students in remote areas of Today previously reported that the students of Parvathipuram Manyam district walk 3 km through the slushy terrain to reach their say the lack of road connectivity not only delays students but also puts their safety and health at villagers have raised issues multiple times to the local government officials which have gone unanswered. One of the residents asks 'How long do our children have to suffer for basic education?'Residents say the demand is simple: safe roads, uninterrupted access to education. Until then, the students will continue to walk through the slushy mud.- EndsWritten by Poonamsingh Subedar
