Preparing for tribal massacre?
The northeast has always been this burning shoulder for India. BJP and Sangh Parivar are wreaking havoc on the parts that are right under the shade of an anaconda called China, creating many Kashmirs.
Assam and other parts of northeast are simmering owing to the citizenship amendment bill that was brought in the recent times. As if to rub salt on the wound of tribals living in forest areas, the Supreme Court has ruled that about 10 lakh of them have to be evicted from the forests since ages from 16 forest regions.
Whether this order would help preserve the forests or not, this would most certainly contribute to riots breaking out leading to massacre of tribals at large scale.
More than 11 lakh families have been ordered to be evicted owing to the fact that their rights over their land has been rejected. They have to vacate the forests before July 27. Failing to evict them would be taken seriously, the SC has said.
Since the SC ruling has to be followed by other states too, the number of displaced would be even higher. According to the data available by December 2018, only 18.89 lac applications have been accepted among 42.19 lakh applications that were submitted to claim land rights. Which means about 23 lakh families are facing the threat of eviction.
This number is more than double the number mentioned in the court. This will certainly give rise to a war like situation between the forest department and the tribal people.
Those who live in the forest have a very deeper relationship with their surroundings. They depend on the forest for their livelihood. The fact that they harm the forest is a big lie created by the state. They love and worship forest like their god. Owing to them, timber smugglers and corporates haven’t been able to set foot inside the forest and this has saved many precious forests.
Forest department uses various tricks to uproot them. They want to ensure people get fed up and leave on their own. Now with court having permitted it, one can only imagine the torture forest department would mete out on the dwellers. There is a major conspiracy that has been hatched by the central government behind this verdict. The lawyer who had to argue for the tribals didn’t do his job at all. This contributed to the contrary verdict that would compromise on the forest dwellers.
If the tribals want any deeds or documents, they have to depend on the government officers. Most of them are illiterates and hence they couldn’t present documents at all. Owing to all this, the court ordered against the original inhabitants of the forest.
Narendra Modi government has completely ignored the welfare of tribals. They have not only failed in defending the forest rights act, but are involved in making it weak. Has this order been issued to save the forest?
No is the answer. The only reason behind this is to uproot the inhabitants and hand over forests into the hands of corporate forces. There are many forests in this country where humans have not been able to even set their foot in. Their resources is now enticing the evil eyes of corporates.
But tribals are a big challenge while the big machines would attempt to enter the forests. So to uproot them and destroy them forever, courts have been used. This may turn the Adivasis against the country itself. In Northeast, Naxals are using forest dwellers to the hilt.
If the state decides to use army to vacate the tribals, naxals may as well use this opportunity to push their agenda. This may even turn some adivasis into criminals. Hence it is necessary that the government acts on behalf of the Adivasis.
They are a part of the forests. Adivasis are children of forests and are citizens of this country. We cannot perceive forests without them. The government needs to take them into confidence and they have to be carefully rehabilitated.
Only then we can reduce the probable friction. Else, while fighting against external enemies such as China and Pakistan, we may be forced to fight our own people too.
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Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
