Speaking at a meeting on the 142nd birth anniversary of legendary freedom fighter Veer Birsa Munda here on Tuesday, former Gujarat MP and national president of Adivasi Samanwaya Manch Amar Singh Chaudhry expressed concern over the rampant land grabbing in the Schedule Areas and the increase in anti-Constitutional activities in the country.
Gujarat State coordinator Santikar Basaba, Basavi Solanki, Kusum Tai Alam, Forlal Kharate and Sumitra Behen highlighted the exploitation and atrocities on the Adivasis, Dalits and minorities, land grabbing and destruction of jungles and urged for a united fight against these evils.
Former Union Minister Bhajaman Behera and Odisha Dalit Adhikar Manch (ODAM) leader Manas Jena spoke on the increasing social atrocities on Adivasis, Dalits and minorities, landless and migration problems. They urged the deprived sections to put up a united fight to remove poverty from the State.
laxmidhar Behera, Managobind Besra and Sunakar Behera demanded that the State Government recognise Sabar, Jodia, Paharias of Adivasi and Dalit community as SCs and STs.
Abdul Wali, Abdul Kalam Azad , Nicolas Barla and Jugal Kishore Ranjit demanded that the Dalit Christians and Muslims be enlisted as Schedule Caste and formation of a Minority Commission. Spokesperson of social justice movement Madhusudan Yadav lashed out at the State Government for its continuing neglect of the Backward Classes and demanded a 27-per cent reservation for them.
On the occasion, a memorandum was submitted to the President of India through the Governor for solving the problems of the Adivasis, Dalits and minorities. In the memorandum, implementation of the PESA in the Fifth Schedule Areas and strict implementation of the Forest Rights Act has been demanded.
The meeting was presided over by MlA George Tirkey. Theofil Gamang delivered the welcome address. Among others, ODAM coordinator Prasant Mallick was present.