Sunday, November 24, 2013

FA Gang Stuffs: EK Kamre ka Tribal University

FA Gang Stuffs: EK Kamre ka Tribal University: Hari Lal Goda shared -

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Pioneers of Adivasi movement in India












Friday, November 8, 2013

gaon chodab nahi (we will not leave our village)

http://www.youtube.com/v/8M5aeMpzOLU?autohide=1&version=3&attribution_tag=4dB-oRdm7_vr4Tscg5BvbA&autoplay=1&showinfo=1&autohide=1&feature=share

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Short History of Formation of Jharkhand State



Introduction
Jharkhand means a forest country. This region lies in the southern part of Bihar embracing Santhalparganas and Chhotanagpur. It comprises of 18 districts. It is a plateau about 3000 feet above sea level. The highest part of the plateau is Netarhat which has an elevation of 3600 ft. The Parasnath Hill is the highest point with an elevation of 4800 feet. The plateau is full of mountain ranges covered with dense forests. A number of rivers and rivulets flow down through the hilly terrains and valleys.
  1. Genesis of Jharkhand Movement
This may be divided into three parts (a) Bloody revolts of the tribals (b) Moderate socio-economic movements (c) the political movements.
(a) The bloody revolts: The period of bloody revolts of the adivasees to protect their Jharkhand land took place from 1771 to 1900 AD. The first ever revolt against the landlords and the British government was led by Tilka Manjhi, a valiant Santhal leader in Santal tribal belt in 1771. He wanted to liberate his people from the clutches of the unscrupulous landlords and restore the lands of their ancestors. The British government sent its troops and crushed the uprisings of Tilka Manjhi. Soon after in 1779, the Bhumij tribes rose in arms against the British rule in Manbhum, now in West Bengal. This was followed by the Chero tribes unrest in Palamau. They revolted against the British Rule in 1800 AD. Hardly seven years later in 1807, the Oraons in Barway murdered their big landlord of Srinagar west of Gumla. Soon the uprisings spread around Gumla. The tribal uprisings spread eastward to neighbouring Tamar areas of the Munda tribes. They too rose in revolt in 1811 and 1813. The Hos in Singhbhum were growing restless and came out in open revolt in 1820 and fought against the landlords and the British troops for two years. This is called the Larka Kol Risings 1820-1821. Then came the great Kol Risings of 1832. This was the first biggest tribal revolt that greatly upset the British administration in Jharkhand. It was caused by an attempt of the Zamindars to oust the tribal peasants from their hereditary possessions. The Santhal insurrection broke out in 1855 under the leadership of two brothers Sidhu and Kanhu. They fought bitterly against the British troops but finally they too were crashed down.
Then Birsa Munda revolt broke out in 1895 and lasted till 1900. The revolt though mainly concentrated in the Munda belt of Khunti, Tamar, Sarwada and Bandgaon, pulled its supporters from Oraon belt of Lohardaga, Sisai and even Barway. It was the longest and the greatest tribal revolt in Jharkhand. It was also the last bloody tribal revolt in Jharkhand.
(b) Moderate movements of 20th century: The 20th century Jharkhand movement may be seen as moderate movement as compared to the bloody revolts of the 19th century. Having the Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act 1908 to protect their lands, the tribal leaders now turned to socio-economic development of the people. In 1914 Jatra Oraon started what is called the Tana Movement. Later this movement joined the Satyagrah Movement of Mahatma Gandhi in 1920 and stopped giving land tax to the Government. In 1915 the Chotanagpur Unnati Samaj was started for the socio-economic development of the tribals. This organisation had also political objectives in mind. When the Simon Commission in 1928 came to Patna the Chotanagpur Unnati Samaj sent its delegation and placed its demand for a separate Jharkhand State for self-rule by the tribals. The Simon Commission however did not accede to the demand for a separate Jharkhand State. Thereafter Theble Oraon organised Kishan Sabha in 1931. In 1935 the Chotanagpur Unnati Samaj and the Kishan Sabha were merged with a view to acquire political power subsequently.
(c) Jharkhand Party: Political Movement: In 1939 Jaipal Singh was invited to come to Ranchi from Darjeeling to join Adivasi Mahasabha. He came and joined the Adivasee Mahasabha and was elected its President. After the independence of the country, the Adivasee Mahasabha was given the name of Jharkhand Party. Jaipal Singh remained the President of the Jharkhand Party from 1939 to 1960.
The Jharkhand Party grew stronger politically gradually but various Commissions examining the demands for a separate Jharkhand State rejected its demand one after another. In August 1947 the Thakkar Commission rejected it saying that it would not be to the advantage of the adivasees. In 1948 Dar Commission also examined the demand for a separate Jharkhand state but rejected it on linguistic grounds. Despite these reports of these Commissions going negative in nature, Jharkhand Party never lost sight of its ultimate target – a separate state of Jharkhand. It fought first General Election in 1952 and won 32 seats in the Bihar Assembly. In the second General Election in 1957 too Jharkhand Party won 32 seats and for two terms the party remained the leading opposition party. In 1955 the Report of the State Reorganisation Commission came out. Here too the demand for a separate Jharkhand state was rejected. In the third general election in 1962 the party could win only 23 seats in the Bihar Assembly. Personal interests of the Jharkhand leaders started playing upper hands. The party merged with the Congress Party in 1963.
In the 4th General Election held in 1967 the party had a very poor show. It could win only 8 seats. The party was soon split into several splinter groups each claiming to be the genuine Jharkhand party. These were All India Jharkhand Party of Bagun Sumroi, Jharkhand Party of N.E. Horo, Hul Jharkhand Party of Justin Richard which further got fragmented and was called Bihar Progressive Hul Jharkhand Party led by Sibu Soren. Finally in 1973 Jharkhand Mukti Morcha was formed under the leadership of Sibu Soren. In 1986 All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) made its appearance on the political stage. In order to keep all these political parties in good humour, the Bihar Government brought out several Committees like Jharkhand Coordination Committee (JCC), a Committee on Jharkhand matters, Jharkhand Peoples Party (JPP) led by Dr. Ram Dayal Munda. All political parties carrying with themselves the name of Jharkhand gradually dwindled except the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha led by Sibu Soren.
Creation of a new Jharkhand State
In a historic move both the houses of Parliament passed the Bihar Reorganisation Bill – 2000 during the first week of August and the President gave his assent to it a few days later. With this the stage is all set for the formal beginning of the governance of the new Jharkhand state from the 15th of November 2000. This witnesses the fulfilment of the long cherished dream of the people of Chhotanagpur and Santhalparganas for a separate state of Jharkhand. The new state will comprise of 18 districts in Santalparganas and Chotanagpur. These districts are: Ranchi, Gumla, Lohardaga, Singhbhum East, Singhbhum West, Palamau, Garhwa, Hazaribagh, Chatra, Koderma, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Giridih, Deoghar, Godda, Dumka, Pakur and Sahibganj. There will be 81 assembly seats, 14 Lok Sabha seats and 6 Raj Sabha seats in the new state. Partywise break up in the new assembly is given below:
Total Strength : 81
(1) BJP : 32
(2) Samta + JD(U) : 8
(3) Congress : 11
(4) JMM(S) : 12
(5) RJD : 9
(6) Others : 9
Population Profile
As per the census of 1991, the total population of Bihar is 8,63,74,465. Out of this the total population of a new state will be about 3 crore. So the population ratio between the truncated state and the new state will be 65:35. The tribal population in the Jharkhand State will be about 54 lakh representing 27.8 per cent of the total population of the new state. The total area of the new state is 79,714 sq.km.
Tribals in the State
There are 30 tribes and sub tribes in the Jharkhand region. The major tribes being Santhals, Oraons, Mundas, Kharias, Hos, Cheros, Kherwars, Korwas, Bihores etc. Major dialects in the State are Santhali, Kurukh, Mundari, Kharia, Ho, Sadri, Chotanagpuri etc.
Enormous Natural Resources
Jharkhand is endowed abundantly with mineral resources like iron ore, coal, mica, uranium, bouxite copper, chromite, limestone, gold, aluminium, china clay, silica, dolomite etc. The Jharkhand state accounts for 37.5 per cent of India’s coal reserves, 40 per cent of copper, 22 per cent of iron ore, 90 per cent of mica and huge deposits of other minerals.


Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Situation of Adivasi in Gujarat


Of total population, the population of scheduled tribes (ST - also called ‘tribal’ and ‘Adivasi’) is 15%, i.e. about 75 lakhs in Gujarat. In Gujarat 28 scheduled tribes are enlisted and of them 8 are primitive tribes, mainly belong to Gir, Barda and Alech forests (mainly Junagadh and Jamnagar district in western Gujarat) and Ahmedabad district in central Gujarat. About 21 tribes are spread over 12 districts (north-eastern belt) in Gujarat. 

The major problems of the tribes in north Gujarat (Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Panchmahal, Dahod and Vadodara districts) are – lower level of literacy, unemployment,  high degree of migration in search of livelihood, no access to forest or forest produce and high incidences of sickle cell anemia. 

The tribes of south Gujarat (Bharuch, Narmada, Surat, Tapi, Valsad, Navsari, Dang districts) have reported higher level of literacy but unemployment,  high degree of migration in search of livelihood, high incidences of sickle cell anemia and little access to forest or forest produce are persistent problems. Gandhians have contributed to higher level of literacy but the major lacuna has been innovativeness and meaningful employment for these adivasis.

The adivasis in South Gujarat face atrocities by forest officials very frequently and has reported highest number of displace people due to development projects like large scale dams on Tapi and Narmada as well as industrial estates as part of golden corridor of Gujarat. This has also resulted into loss of land, loss of access and control over forest and minor forest produce and the Tribals have turned into unskilled labourers, working in unorganized sectors. Therefore their living conditions have worsened, nutrition level has gone significantly down (at least 60-70% are malnourished) as per National Sample Survey Report of 2007.

The agriculture has been a main economic activity but due to large scale dams and wider forest cover, most of the farmers are marginal or small with small and medium landholding. But land alienation among adivasis is very rampant across north-eastern belt of Gujarat. It is reported that officially about 7-8% Tribals are alienated from land; informal survey reveal this extent to 15%. (Ganguly: 2000)

The Government of Gujarat has taken steps like launching JFM, Vanbandhu Yojana and such development programmes but its effect is limited in providing employment and better quality of life. 

Panchayati Raj Extension to Scheduled Areas Act, 1998 (PESA) was expected to provide opportunity to adivasis for local self-governance but it has not been implemented by the government. In this situation, tribal development has remained centralized and largely government dependent. 
Unfortunately, the industrial houses have not thought of engaging tribal educated youth meaningfully in respective units. 

BSC and Adivasi Sarvangi Vikas Sangh (ASVS) 

Background: Issues of Adivasis and capacitating ASVS 
ASVS (Adivasis Sarvangi Vikas Sangh) under the aegis of Behavioural Science Centre, Ahmedabad has been working since 1994, was registered in 1996 and been functioning autonomously since August 2009. 

BSC’s staff members are working very closely with ASVS staff members for carrying out various activities leading to ensure rights of Adivasis. The major tasks of BSC staff is to build capacity of local workers, providing direction to the programmes and activities carried out and undertake capacity and perspective building of Adivasi leaders, to enhance coordination between ASVS and women’s cooperative for effective functioning.

Initially it was working in 60 villages primarily with Dungari Bhil and Dungari garasiya tribes of Danta taluka, Banaskantha district in North Gujarat. Danta and Amirgadh do not belong to scheduled areas (Schedule V of Indian Constitution). Over the years, ASVS has evolved as an organization; it used to take up development activities (promoting livelihood through watershed management, building check-dams, implementing drought-relief programme, dairy cooperative, availing benefit of government schemes and programmes covered under Tribal Sub-plan, etc).

Since 2003, the area of operation has spread over to more than 310 villages in 6 taluka (blocks), i.e. Danta and Amirgadh talukas of Banaskantha district while Khedbrahma, Vijaynagar, Bhiloda and Megharaj taluka of Sabarkantha district. Since then, our activities are focused mainly on two aspects of Adivasi rights, namely, to access to forest, minor forest produce (MFP) and right to cultivate forest land. As per our mission and tradition, we also have focused on Adivasi leadership development and large scale mobilization and seeking benefits of government schemes and programmes by Adivasis in large numbers for their development. 

BSC has started and established Women’s Saving & Credit Cooperative (Shri hadad Adivasi Mahila Bachat and Dhiran Mandali) in 1997 and since 1st October 2008, it is also functioning autonomously. The then, its membership was 1,265 from 57 villages; total saving was Rs 14,93,280.50/-, out of which Rs. 10,92,588/- was given as credit - Rs. 671012 were recovered while Rs. 42,0576/- yet to be recovered. 

 
http://www.bsc-sxnfes.net/adivasi-rights.aspx

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

A case of non-tribals challenging tribal rights

Bewildered by the way two non-tribals of Kulathupuzha in Kollam district have challenged awarding of title deeds to two landless Kani families in the same locality under provisions of the Forest Rights Act, the State Scheduled Tribes Development Department has started probing options to implead in the case.
The non-tribals had moved a munsiff court at Punalur last week for scraping the title deeds obtained by the Kani families, saying the land in question originally belonged to them. They claimed that they had been using the three acres of land for over half a century for agricultural purposes on lease from the tribal families. The court is likely to consider the case next week.
‘‘It’s a strange case of non-tribals claiming rights to traditional forest land inherited by local tribals from their forefathers. They filed the case against the tribals who obtained title deeds under the Forest Rights Act. Though the department is not a direct respondent in the case, we have started probing legal options, including impleading in the case,’’ said G. Rishikesan Nair, deputy director of the department, when contacted.
‘‘The complainants are not traditional forest dwellers and we have reasons to believe that the move is part of a larger bid to torpedo the ongoing land distribution by the department,’’ he said.
‘‘As per the law, land rights must be granted only to families which live within the forests for at least three generations. These people claim they had been holding the land on lease for just half a century. Taking tribal land on lease itself amounts to gross violation of the law,’’ he said.
‘‘The case will not withstand legal scrutiny. However, it is interesting to note non-tribals challenging tribal rights,’’ said C.R. Bijoy, activist for the Forest Rights Act.

Bill on statutory status for SC, ST sub-plan in winter session - The Hindu

Bill on statutory status for SC, ST sub-plan in winter session - The Hindu

Waiting for a tribal Kanshi Ram - The Hindu

Waiting for a tribal Kanshi Ram - The Hindu

Saturday, November 2, 2013

70 Adivasi villages will be displaced for construction of the giant statue of Sardar Vallavbhai Patel with the slogan of 'Uniting India'.

70 Adivasi villages will be displaced for construction of the giant statue of Sardar Vallavbhai Patel with the slogan of 'Uniting India'. But how could India be united by depriving the Adivasis from their own land just to show the world? Is this what Independence and Democracy can do to the Adivasi people? Who will raise the voice for the Adivasis? Everyone is very interested to be a part of the statue of V. Patel which is much bigger than the Statue of Liberty.
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-10-16/news/43107113_1_70-villages-gujarat-government-sardar-sarovar-dam