AGARTALA, Oct 13 (TIWN): Former MP, National Coordinator of ‘National Coordination Committee of Adivasi Adhikar Rashtriya Manch’ (AARM) has raised Tripura’s one of the burning issues in two days long meeting here of AARM on 12 & 13 October at the Tamil Nadu. Tribal Association (TNTA), one of the constituents of AARM was the host here. AARM has discussed the length of issues, which has been adversely affecting the life and livelihood of Adivasi people in the country along with the vast majority of Indian population.

In a press release after the meeting, the discussed matters were said of that 2-days-long meeting, where the issue of eviction notices serving to the people by Govt violating SC’s guidelines as a case is pending was too placed by Jitendra Chaudhury.

                                                                                                Press Relase

Supreme Court’s verdict on FRA case and steps taken by BJP and its allies ruled states.

As on Dec 31, 2018, 42.19 lakhs claims had been received. 30,755 fresh claims were received in the year 2018. This is a small number considering the actual number Adivasi and forest dweller families in the country. Claims of large number of forest dwelling households not registered by Governments. Of the claims received only 40 per cent or so that is 18.89 lakhs have been accepted.

On 13^th February, 2019, the Supreme Court ordered evictions of those families whose FRA claims have been rejected, in a case where Retired Forest Officers, Zamindars and Wildlife NGOs challenged the constitutionality of the Forest Rights Act (FRA). The Supreme Court put this order ‘on hold’ on 28^th February, giving a temporary relief on the face of huge discontentment across the country.

There were two hearings held in July and September. Next hearing date is fixed on 26^th November, 2019. Role of BJP and its allies led State Governments and Central Government is dubious on the issue. The case is still represented by the MoEF&CCM not by the MoT, the Nodal Ministry. Though the verdict is kept ‘on hold’ by the Supreme Court, but Tripura Government has been issuing eviction notices in thousands. Similar things and more stringent are happening in BJP ruled Jharkhand, Assam and TRS ruled Telengana State.

Altogether about 20 organizations, including AARM and AIKS have filed petitions as ‘interveners’ to the SC case on FRA. On 22^nd July, 2019 demonstration and protest were held in more than 200 places across the country by different organizations and rights group.

-          The Adivasi organizations and hundreds of rights group together shall organize a joint protest rally in New Delhi on 21^st November, 2019, before the next date of hearing and similar programs shall be organized in the the State, District and Taluka headquarters too.

-          Due to lack of political commitment the implementation of FRA is very poor in Tamilnadu.

-          PESA Act and rights under the 5^th Schedule of the Constitution should not be diluted in any circumstances.

Depleting economic situation: From slow down to recession.

The second stint of Modi Government, backed by the Corporate and Communal combine has accelerated the implementation of BJP-RSS’s economic agenda to corporatize the Indian economy. India’s economic situation is now not merely at the stage of slow down, but clearly passing through a recession.

GDP has gone down to less than 5 p.c. against the rhetoric of above 10 p.c. towards achieving 5 trillion dollar economy by 2024. All labor oriented industries like automobiles, textiles and manufacturing are shrinking due to want of market. Agrarian crisis has been further deepening with added wounds of draught and floods. Highest ever unemployment scenario has been recorded since the independence. Adivasis and other underprivileged are the worst hit of this recession. No sign of realization by the Modi Government to improve the situation. Profit making PSUs, banks, financial institutions and working class are the victims of the wrong policies. MTNL, BSNL and Air India are facing the wrath. Random liberalization and privatizations are on through the process of selling share/public holdings and amending the labor laws etc. Government has recently declared a package of Rs.70,000 crores to compensate the Real Estate Companies and Export Houses. Going against its own budget proposal Government has further accorded tax exemption of Rs.1.45 lakhs crores in favor of handful cronies. NPA of more than Rs.2.00 lakhs crores has been written of , involving only less than 500 rich families, while the demands for waiving of crop loan and MSPs to the farmers are denied.

Increasing trend of authoritarianism:

Bulldozing all parliamentary norms and conventions total 35 nos. bills were passed in the 1^st Session of the Parliament itself. The bills include the abrogation of the Article 370 and Section 35(A) of the Constitution, Labor Code, UAP Act and Triple Talaq bills etc.

Article 370 and Section 35(A) are not just like other provisions of the Constitution, but is a part of the history. Which were supposed to be seriously debated & participated by the Kashmiri people also. But, since 5^th August, 2019 the the day of introduction of the bill and passed subsequently the life in Kashmir valley is under complete seizure. Unprecedented amount of human rights violation are continuing there. UAP Act has been further amended to silence the opposition voice. Scores of Adivasi activists languishing in different jails under detention without fair trial, including the intellectuals and human rights activists. Names of 19 lakhs people are missing in Assam under NRC exercise, which has created panicky situation in the State. Now, Government is planning to undertake the similar exercise to rest part of the country. Before that Government is intending to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to provide citizenship to all others who infiltrated into India except the Muslims. This is a clear violation of constitutional mandate. A BJP-RSS design political agenda with sole intention to create the communal divide. Sedition law has been slapped against 49 eminent personalities for writing open letter to the Prime Minister against all these anarchy. 6 Dalit and BC students have been expelled from the International Hindi University, Wardha on the same ground.

-          AARM strongly condemns all these authoritarian acts of the Modi-2 Government.

-          AARM disapproves the Modi Government proposals to amend the Citizenship Act on religious line, which is totally against the spirit of the Constitution.

-          AARM demands immediately revoking the Sedition Case filed against the 49 eminent personalities and withdraw the Expulsion Order against 6(Six) Dalit and BC students.

Incidents of brutal killing and mob-lynching of Adivasi, dalits and minorities have become a fashion in BJP ruled States:

Ten Adivasi landless farmers, including three women were brutally killed on 17^th July, 2019 by criminal land grabbing mafias in Umbha village, Sonbhadra district, backed by the UP Government and administration. Similarly incidents of mob-lynching of dalits and minorities are on rise in BJP ruled States.

-          AARM strongly condemns all these inhuman and barbaric incidents took place in connivance of the goons sheltered by ruling parties and the respective State Governments.

-          AARM demands to do justice to all these victim families by setting up fast track court. And adequate compensation to all these families.

Adivasis are starving while food grains are rotting on the open plinth and FCI godowns :

According to the FCI and media report 12.06 lakhs MT of food grains i.e.; paddy and wheat have rotted on the open plinth and different food godowns of FCI throughout the country, which has resulted into huge revenue losses and environmental degradation. The report has revealed 7.56 lakhs MT have rotted in Punjab alone and residual 4.56 lakhs MT in the FCI godowns. This is happening while lakhs of Adivasi families are either starving or migrating from one place to another in search job and food, due to lack of implementation of Food Security Act and MG-NREGA.

-          AARM demands to strictly implement the Food Security Act, irrespective to rural and urban by ensuring 35 kgs. food grains to each family on subsidized rate.

-          AARM demands to provide 200 mandays job under MG-NREGA to each rural family and remove all bureaucratic hurdles in implementing the same in order to arrest the migration of labors and starvation.

Non-issuing of Caste Certificate to the eligible one and non-rectifying the faulty ST list is a big harassment, crime and injustice to the Adivasis:

In Tamilnadu and many other States obtaining Caste Certificate is a hercuilian task, even people have to wage struggle for that. Beside these number of Sub-Communities of the same stock from anthropological, linguistic, cultural and economic background are denied from the due recognition. The examples are Kurumba and Kurumans of Tamilnadu.

-          AARM demands to set up a National Level Commission to settle all these injustices in time bound manner.

-          AARM also demands to extend reservation in the Private Sector and bring a legislation to provide reservation in the promotion.

Other important issues discussed and resolution adopted :

-          In order to bring some solace in sheer unemployment situation and do justice with the Adivasi job aspirants Central Government and all State Governments should fill up all vacancies along with the backlog by maintaining 100 point roster through Special Drive.

-          Provisions of the 6^th Schedule of the Constitution, now promulgated in 10(ten) Autonomous District Councils of Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram has to be amended in order to adequately empower the bodies. So as to enable the said bodies to protect and preserve the land, language and culture of the Adivasis, besides under taking the overall development.

-          Rights under the 6^th Schedule of the Constitution should be extended to the other States, wherever sizeable number of Adivasi population are inhabiting and facing the threats from the adverse affect of emerging social and economic situation.