Which adivasi? What India?
Mainstream India thinks of Adivasis as a monolithic commmunity. As Gladson Dungdung argues, the controversy around the Gandhi Peace Prize shows a need for rethinking these definitions.
By Gladson Dungdung
Tehelka.com
Adivasis (Indian tribes) have always been neglected and faced decades of government apathy whether it concerns their upliftment or recognition for any extra-ordinary work by the community’s leaders. The London-based Gandhi Foundation recently faced heat of Adivasi organisations after the politics behind the Gandhi Foundation International Peace Award 2011, which is awarded by the foundation, surfaced. The top story on the home page of the organisation’s website reads, “Gandhi Foundation International Peace Award 2011 will be presented to Dr. Binayak Sen and Bulu Imam”. Interestingly, it was mentioned earlier that the award would be presented to Adivasis of India, on behalf of whom Sen and Imam would receive the honour. But the photograph showing two Adivasi women painting on the wall of a community dwelling has not been removed stressing the strong connection between the indigenous community and the Award. Perhaps, the award this year would lose its meaning if the Adivasi connection is completely severed. Read more…
Police Atrocities on Adivasis of Saranda Forest : A Fact Sheet by JHRM
JHRM Team with NHRC DIG Mamta Singh
The ‘Saranda’ literally means a forest of seven hundred small hills is also known as the largest Sal Forest in Asia, situated in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. Approximately, 10,000 Adivasi families with the population of 1 lakh 25 thousand Adivasis live in the forest. The Adivasis depend on agriculture, forest produces and livestock for their livelihood. The forest is full of Iron-Ore therefore; there was always clash between the community and the business interest, which created space for the Maoist. Consequently, today the Maoists rule the vicinity. The Jharkhand police and the paramilitary forces have been carrying on series of joint operations against the Maoists. The “Operation Anaconda” was the last in the queue carried out in the Saranda forest from 1st to 31st of August 2011, led to rampant human rights violations of the Adivasis. Read more…
Killing, Denial and Manipulation
Suniya, his wife and Mangri Honhaga (right)
30 year-old Mangri Honhanga along with her 4 month-old son Dula Honhanga and other family-members had desperately come to Ranchi the capital city of Jharkhand after travelling for more than 6 hours right from Saranda forest in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand last week with the hope of getting justice. Both the mother and child have been suffering from illness – Dula is grade-3 malnourished patient and Mangri has been suffering from anaemia but they have no choice rather than facing all kinds of sufferings. The life was little better for them before 2 bullets of COBRA Jawans end the life of 38 year-old Mangal Honhanga the father of Dula and Mangri’s husband. Therefore, they had come to share their pains, sufferings and agony with the Chief Minister, the Top cops and of course, with the Media. Mangri Honhanga only knows that her husband was picked-up by the police from her house, taken to the forest and finally dead body was handed over to her. Read more…
Do We Also Have the Democratic Rights?
Villagers in the Mass Meeting at Khunti
On July 5, 2011, the Adivasis of Munda Khutkatti areas – Khunti, Murhu and Arki blocks of Khunti district gathered in Kachary Maidan of Khunti situated at a distance of 31 kilometres from the state capital of Jharkhand. In fact, the Khunti district administration had given them permission to hold a rally and mass meeting against the police atrocities. However, when the villagers started arriving to Kachary Maidan, Manoj Kaushik the Superintendent of police (Khunti) also reached to the venue and questioned Birsa Munda the leader of “Mundari Khutkati Ewam Bhuihari Parishad,” “Why you have brought so many people to protest against the police?” Birsa responded, “Villagers are facing police atrocities therefore they have come to express their pains and sufferings to the Deputy Commissioner”. The SP went back to his office after hearing Birsa’s response. Read more…
Who is Making Them Cry?
Farmers crying in Odisha
On June 24th, 2011, there was no ‘good’ in the ‘morning’ for me. As soon as I opened the Newspaper, a photograph of two old men appeared in front of me, which seems that they were crying endlessly. I was shocked to see their ugly faces. They are resident of Dhinkiya village situated in Jagadshingpur district of Odisha. Perhaps, they have been living in the vicinity before existence of the Indian state. Indeed, both of them had witnessed the formation of Indian State, which had promised them for the land reforms, elimination of poverty, illiteracy and inequality. Apart from that there was a promise to address the issues of food, clothing and shelter. Read more…
THE STORY OF HOPE
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THE STORY OF CHANGE
- Improving the lives of Abandoned ChildrenOUR CORRESPONDENTRanchi, Feb. 19: As many as 30 orphans from Jamshedpur, Ranchi, Gumla, Simdega and Patna had assembled here today to share their experiences on how an organisation is helping them change and improve their lives. The children, studying in schools across Jharkhand and Bihar, owe it to the Navjeevan Foundation, which has been providing financia […]
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