Don’t neglect the tribals; now they are learning to fight for their legitimate Constitutional rights,” said noted tribal leader and former Chairperson of SC and ST Commission Dillip Singh Bhuria, attending a massive rally of thousands of tribals here on Sunday. The rally was organised by the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (VKA) on the occasion of birth centenary of Ashram founder Bala Saheb Deshpande.
Bhuria said the tribals are still fighting for their rights though the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), 1996 and the Forest Rights Act is there to help the community. The Central and the State Governments don’t take tribals’ issues seriously, for which they live in miserable condition, he added. VKA national vice-president Krupa Parasad Singh said the tribals should fight for their self-respect and fundamental rights unitedly. He called upon fellow tribals to remember the deeds of Deshpande to help others.
The tribals from different parts of the State attended a meeting of the Visal Janajati Adhikar Samabesh at the Swadhinata Sangrami Bhawan here and then came in a procession from the Ram Mandir Square to the lower PMG here to participate in the rally organised by the VKA. later, a delegation led by Singh submitted a memorandum to the Governor for protection of their legitimate rights.
Among others, VKA State president lachhaman Nayak, Swami Pranarupananda Saraswati, Chairman reception committee laxman Mahipal and VKA working president Jagdish Prasad Mishra spoke in the rally.