{"id":5096,"date":"2025-08-10T00:01:32","date_gmt":"2025-08-09T18:31:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=5096"},"modified":"2025-08-10T21:27:56","modified_gmt":"2025-08-10T15:57:56","slug":"we-live-like-slaves-karnataka-adivasis-demand-justice-on-world-indigenous-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=5096","title":{"rendered":"“We Live Like Slaves”: Karnataka Adivasis Demand Justice on World Indigenous Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

Adivasis in Karnataka Demand Rights and Justice on World Indigenous Peoples Day<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Convention Highlights Systemic Exploitation, Calls for Urgent Action<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Mysuru, August 9, 2025<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 On the occasion of World Indigenous Peoples Day, hundreds of Adivasis from across Karnataka gathered at the Ideal Java Rotary School in Mysuru for a convention organized by the\u00a0Adivasi Sangharsh Morcha<\/strong>. The event highlighted the severe challenges faced by indigenous communities, including land dispossession, economic exploitation, lack of basic amenities, and systemic violence.<\/p>\n

The convention began with a solemn tribute to\u00a0Ponnanna<\/strong>, an 18-year-old Adivasi from Kodagu who was shot dead on December 28, 2024, on suspicion of theft. His death symbolizes the broader struggles of Karnataka\u2019s 50 Scheduled Tribes\u2014including the\u00a0Jenu Kurubas, Soligas, Hakki Pikkis, and Siddhis<\/strong>\u2014who continue to fight for survival amidst state neglect and corporate exploitation.<\/p>\n

Land Rights and Evictions: A Perpetual Crisis<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Clifton D\u2019Rozario<\/strong>, Convener of Adivasi Sangharsh Morcha, underscored the precarious situation of Adivasis who face forced evictions from forests and denial of basic rights.<\/p>\n

\u201cAcross Karnataka, Adivasis are being evicted from National Parks, Reserve Forests, and Tiger Reserves, yet they are denied housing, roads, and medical facilities,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0he said.\u00a0\u201cOnly through organized struggle have we secured some rights, but much more remains to be done.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The demand for proper implementation of the\u00a0Forest Rights Act, 2006<\/strong>\u00a0was a key theme, with speakers condemning the harassment by forest officials.\u00a0Kempaiah<\/strong>\u00a0from the Iruliga community highlighted how false cases under the\u00a0Indian Forest Act and Wildlife Protection Act<\/strong>\u00a0are routinely filed against Adivasis.<\/p>\n

Economic Exploitation and Denial of Basic Rights<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Savitha<\/strong>, an Adivasi worker from Kodagu, painted a grim picture of labor exploitation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe work under slave-like conditions, denied even minimum wages,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0she said.\u00a0\u201cAnganwadis are far from our hamlets, leaving our children with no care while we work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Sheelamani<\/strong>\u00a0from HD Kote spoke about the lack of housing and transportation.\u00a0\u201cWithout buses, our children miss school, and pregnant women can\u2019t reach hospitals. We don\u2019t even have ration cards or caste certificates to access government schemes.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Mutta<\/strong>\u00a0from Kodagu emphasized the failure of\u00a0MNREGA<\/strong>, calling for timely wages and better enforcement.\u00a0\u201cMNREGA is a lifeline, but payments are delayed, and work is scarce.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"“Stop Evictions, Ensure Rights”: Adivasi Convention Exposes Systemic Neglect<\/span><\/p>\n

Cultural Erosion and Communal Threats<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Prasad<\/strong>, a youth leader, stressed the need to protect Adivasi culture and language.\u00a0Ramanna Vittalla<\/strong>\u00a0from the All India Kisan Morcha warned against religious polarization.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdivasis are being communalized in the name of religion. Our freedom to practice our faith and traditions must be safeguarded,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0he asserted.<\/p>\n

Appanna<\/strong>, State President of the All India Central Council of Trade Unions, demanded that Adivasi-majority regions be declared\u00a0Scheduled Areas<\/strong>\u00a0under the\u00a0Fifth Schedule<\/strong>\u00a0of the Constitution, extending\u00a0PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act, 1996)<\/strong>\u00a0for self-governance.<\/p>\n

Media Updates: +91-93531 21474 [WhatsApp]\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Call to Action: Key Demands<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

The convention concluded with a resolution demanding:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Halt evictions<\/strong>\u00a0and enforce the\u00a0Forest Rights Act, 2006<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Recognize land rights<\/strong>\u00a0and end harassment by forest officials.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    Protect Adivasi faith and culture<\/strong>, resisting communal hatred.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  4. \n

    Develop a time-bound plan<\/strong>\u00a0for housing, schools, healthcare, and infrastructure.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  5. \n

    Increase budget allocations<\/strong>\u00a0for Adivasi welfare and MNREGA.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  6. \n

    Withdraw false cases<\/strong>\u00a0under forest and wildlife laws.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  7. \n

    Declare August 9 (World Indigenous Peoples Day) a national holiday<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Macchamma<\/strong>\u00a0from HD Kote issued a rallying cry:\u00a0\u201cWe cannot wait for the government\u2014we must fight for our rights collectively.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

    As Karnataka\u2019s Adivasis amplify their voices, the question remains: Will the state listen?<\/p>\n

    Key Quotes:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n


    \nOn Systemic Oppression:<\/strong>
    \n“Across Karnataka, Adivasis are being evicted from National Parks, Reserve Forests, and Tiger Reserves, yet they are denied housing, roads, and medical facilities. Only through organized struggle have we secured some rights.”<\/em><\/p>\n

      \n
    • \n

      Clifton D’Rozario<\/strong>, Convener, Adivasi Sangharsh Morcha<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      On Labor Exploitation:<\/strong>
      \n“We work under slave-like conditions, denied even minimum wages. Anganwadis are far from our hamlets, leaving our children with no care while we work.”<\/em><\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n

        Savitha<\/strong>, Adivasi worker from Kedamalur, Kodagu<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        On Infrastructure Neglect:<\/strong>
        \n“Without buses, our children miss school, and pregnant women can’t reach hospitals. We don’t even have ration cards to access government schemes.”<\/em><\/p>\n

          \n
        • \n

          Sheelamani<\/strong>, HD Kote<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          On Cultural Survival:<\/strong>
          \n“Adivasis are being communalized in the name of religion. Our freedom to practice our faith and traditions must be safeguarded.”<\/em><\/p>\n

            \n
          • \n

            Ramanna Vittalla<\/strong>, All India Kisan Morcha<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            On Forest Rights:<\/strong>
            \n“Forest officials file false cases against us to drive us from our lands. These harassments must stop immediately.”<\/em><\/p>\n

              \n
            • \n

              Kempaiah<\/strong>, Iruliga community<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Call to Action:<\/strong>
              \n“We cannot keep waiting for the government – we must fight for our rights collectively!”<\/em><\/p>\n

                \n
              • \n

                Macchamma<\/strong>, HD Kote<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                On Historical Struggle:<\/strong>
                \n“It took us 80 years to get even this land, and it was only possible through coming together and fighting for it.”<\/em><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • \n

                  Samith Kumar<\/strong>, Hakki Pikki community<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  On Justice Denied:<\/strong>
                  \n“My husband was implicated in a false case, and I couldn’t meet him for seven years. How many more families must suffer like this?”<\/em><\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • \n

                    Kaveri<\/strong>, Adivasi rights activist<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    <\/div>\n

                    <\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

                    <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                    Adivasis in Karnataka Demand Rights and Justice on World Indigenous Peoples Day Convention Highlights Systemic Exploitation, Calls for Urgent Action Mysuru, August 9, 2025\u00a0\u2013 On the occasion of World Indigenous Peoples Day, hundreds of Adivasis from across Karnataka gathered at the Ideal Java Rotary School in Mysuru for a convention organized by the\u00a0Adivasi Sangharsh Morcha. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5097,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[66],"tags":[823,1173,148,82,814],"class_list":["post-5096","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-karnataka","tag-adivasi","tag-communal-threats","tag-karnataka-government","tag-siddaramaiah","tag-tribals"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5096","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5096"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5096\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5126,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5096\/revisions\/5126"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5097"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5096"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5096"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5096"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}