Gadchiroli Oct. 7 (District Correspondent) A massive protest morcha was taken out on Sunday by the tribal community to oppose the government’s plan to give Scheduled Tribes reservation to Dhangar and some other communities in the state. Leaders and office bearers of all parties participated in this morcha along with tribal community members and gave the message of unity on the issue of reservation to Adisasis.
The morcha started from Shivaji Mahavidyalaya grounds on Dhanora Road. Thousands of Adivasi men and women participated in this grand morcha led by the Adiwasi Aarakshan Bachav Kriti Samiti, wearing yellow caps with the words ‘Bogus Hatao’ printed on them. This march was taken to the collector’s office winding through the main streets of the city covering around 4 kilometres of distance on foot. In front of the collectorate, the march turned into a public meeting in which many leaders of different organizations and political parties spoke and warned that they will not tolerate the attempt to grab the reservation of the original tribals.
The march was so huge that the vehicular traffic of the city was paralysed for some time. The people had to take alternative roads at many places as many roads were filled with the people due to the huge crowd of march and the vehicles.
A delegation of the Kriti Samiti then called on the District Collector and submitted him a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister. The main demands included Dhangar community should not be included in Scheduled Tribes, the judgement of supreme court regarding ST reservation be implemented, the forest land be distributed to the tribals under Forest rights Act, the recruitment under PESA be done immediately, Eklavya Model School of Korchi should not be shifted elsewhere, DBT scheme be closed and tribal students be given facilities as earlier, tribal candidates be appointed as regular employees, not on contract basis, health services be provided regularly etc.
The convenors of Kruti Samiti Ms. Pushpalata Kumre, Madhav Gawad, Gulabrao Madavi, Sadanand Taram, Anand Kangale, Sainu Gota, Adv. Lalsu Nogoti, Nitin Pada, Ganesh Kowe, Jayshree Yerme, Amarsingh Gedam, Bharat Yerme, Amol Kulmethe, Arti Kolhe, Varsha Shedmake, Farendra Kuttirkar, Dr. Sachin Madavi, Shivaji Narote, Gangadhar Madavi, Vasant Kulsange, Vitthal Gedam led the march.
The leaders of the morcha warned to intensify their agitation if these demands are not fulfilled soon. The Dhangar should not be included in ST list in any condition, they demanded.
Member of Parliament Dr. Namdeo Kirsan Kirsan, MLA Dr. Devrao Holi, former Dr. Namdeo Usendi, Bhagyashree Atram, Adv. Vishwajit Kowase, Hanumanthu Madavi, Manohar Poretti, Ghanshyam Madavi, Vinod Madavi, Jayashree Velda along with officials of many political and social organizations participated in the march.
The political leaders participating in the march extended their total support to the demands and warned to take to the streets if these demands are ignored by the government.
The Shetkari Kamgar Paksh, All India Republican Party, Communist Party of India, Azad Samaj Party etc had extended their support to the morcha and their workers participated in it.
