JHARKHAND MIRROR

An Adivasi woman with her kid in their burnt house in Assam

On August 26, 2010, the Congress leader and self-proclaimed soldier of the Adivasis, Rahul Gandhi visited to Niyamgiri in Orissa just two days after the Indian government denied clearance to the Vedanta Resource’s Rs.4500 crore bauxite mining project in Niyamgiri Hills. While addressing to a rally of 3000 colourfully dressed Dongria Kondh and other Adivasis at Jagannathpur village who have been fighting to save their holy mountain he said, “I am your soldier in Delhi. Whenever you need me, I will be there for you.” He got a huge clapping when he said, “True development takes place by respecting the interests of the poor and Adivasis.” However, just after two months, the migrant Jharkhandi Adivasis were attacked by the Forest Department in Assam but the Adivasis’ soldier is still silent. Therefore, the Adivasis want to know why their soldier is silent. Is he shocked on the incident or he is silent because if he opens his mouth the Congress Government may face severe problems in Assam?  Read more…

By Jyoti Sonia Dhan

8 October, 2009

‘Languages are precious storehouses of history, experience and culture; a crucial link between the past and the future’

- Jeanie Bell, Aboriginal Linguist

Indigenous Children going to school

Language is considered as the cornerstone of culture and the ultimate expression of belonging as it is through language that culture is shared and transmitted. A unique world view is expressed and identity is moulded and recreated. And for the indigenous community language is expressed through prayers, myths, spiritual belief, ceremonies, law, poetry, oratory, or through everyday greetings, conversational styles, humour, ways of speaking to children, or through unique terms for habits, socio-cultural organization and values of the community.  Read more…

by Gladson Dungdung

Indian Currents 29 June, 2003

“Land and Forest are not only essential livelihood resources but also means of identity, dignity and social security for the tribals. They have been living in forest and on forestland for ages and they have the customary right over natural resources”.

Recently two tribal youth were killed in a clash with police at Ranchi during a pro-domicile protest. Their only crime was that they asked for the enactment of the Domicile Policy, which provides job opportunities for tribals in the Government Sector. It indicates the hour of crisis for tribal community in terms of livelihood, identity and dignity because on the one hand the constitution of India, which protects the rights of the citizens, is not implemented and on the other hand Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989 does not execute prevention of atrocities against tribals. Consequently, tribals are not only evicted from their land after being called encroachers but also a large number of them are displaced by various development projects like dams, industries, mines, national parks, sanctuaries, firing ranges, national highways, etc. Read more…