Gadchiroli Sept. 7 (District Correspondent) Adiwasi Sangharsha Kriti Samiti, a social organization of the tribals staged dharna agitation at Indira Square of the city today in protest against the exploitation of a tribal woman from Jharkhand by a BJP leader Seema Patra.
A large number of workers, most of them women, assembled in the square and shouted slogans against the BJP leader and demanded stern action against her under Atrocities Act. The workers delivered speeches strongly condemned the incident and warned that more intensive agitation will be launched shortly, if no action is taken against the BJP leader for her ‘most heinous and inhuman act’.
A delegation of the workers then called on the District Collector and submitted him a memorandum addressed to the President of India demanding early action into the matter.
Addressing the gathering Mr. Bharat Yerme, senior leader of All India Adiwasi employees Federation said the exploitation of the tribal woman at the hands of the woman BJP leader is very shameful and blot on humanity. The tribals will not tolerate this sort of injustice anymore and will keep raising their voice against every injustice.
Mr. Gulab Madavi of Baburao Madavi Smarak Samiti said it is very unfortunate that the tribals have to face such a humiliation even after 75 years of Independence. Tribals are the aboriginal residents of this country but they are being denied their rights and put to injustice. He called upon the tribals to come forward against the castiest elements who want to rule the country by suppressing the tribals and Dalits.
The other tribal leaders including Mr. Vasantrao Kulsange, Kunal kowe, Ms. Jayshree Yerme, Soniya Madavi, Bharti Madavi, Sainath Pungati also spoke on the occasion and strongly condemned the incident.
All India Republican Party’s Rohidas Raut, Narendra Raipure, Bharat Mukti morcha’s Janardan Taksande, Bhojraj Kanhekar, Shiv Sena’s Chhayatai Kumbhare, ANS’s Gajendra Surkar, Vilas Nimborkar also visited the dharna site and extended their support to the agitation demanding stern action against the woman leader.
The workers of National Adiwasi Mahila Federation, Veer Baburao Vikas Samiti, Adiwasi Gondwana Gotul Samiti, Adiwasi Yuwa Jangom Sena, Adiwasi Yuwa Ekta Sangha, Gondwana ST Kamgar Sangha, Adiwasi Ekta Parishad also participated in the agitation in large number. Mr. Anand Kangale, Harshwardhan Kulsange, Ms. Laxmi Kannake, Kavita Meshram, Bharti Kangale, Rekha Todase, Malta Pudo, Amit Gedam and many tribal activists were present in the agitation.
