{"id":5397,"date":"2025-08-23T20:54:31","date_gmt":"2025-08-23T15:24:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=5397"},"modified":"2025-08-23T20:54:31","modified_gmt":"2025-08-23T15:24:31","slug":"operation-kagar-activists-slam-state-violence-on-adivasis-call-for-ceasefire-and-talks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=5397","title":{"rendered":"Operation Kagar: Activists Slam State Violence on Adivasis; Call for Ceasefire and Talks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Operation Kagar: A War on Adivasis or a War for Resources?<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Public Meeting in Bengaluru Condemns Militarisation and Calls for Peace Talks<\/h3>\n

Bengaluru, August 23, 2025<\/strong> \u2013 The Karnataka Peoples Forum Against War on Adivasis held a public discussion condemning Operation Kagar<\/em>, a military offensive in central India, terming it a \u201cwar on Adivasis and their land.\u201d Activists, academics, and rights groups alleged that the operation, masked as a counter-insurgency drive, has resulted in the deaths of more than 500 Adivasis and is primarily aimed at facilitating corporate access to mineral-rich forests.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cTwin Dangers: Corporate Capitalism and Communalism\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Introducing the programme, Prof. Nagaragere Ramesh<\/strong> of the People\u2019s Democratic Forum warned that India today faces the combined dangers of \u201ccorporate capitalism and communalism.\u201d He linked Operation Kagar to resource exploitation, citing the recent victory of Devanahalli farmers against land acquisition as an example of people\u2019s resistance.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt is high time the country raises its voice against attacks on our Adivasi brothers and sisters,\u201d Ramesh said. \u201cOperation Kagar is nothing but an assault on their lives and dignity.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

\u201cNothing Less Than a Genocide\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Renowned Bastar activist Soni Sori<\/strong> delivered an emotional account, comparing Operation Kagar to earlier military offensives like Operation Greenhunt<\/em> and Salwa Judum<\/em>. She described the situation as a \u201cgenocide\u201d and highlighted the sexual violence, fake encounters, and systemic repression faced by Adivasi communities.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cFamilies are not informed when their loved ones are killed; corpses are buried in mass graves,\u201d she said. \u201cChildren in the womb hear the death cries of their fathers. This is not a fight for money or status, but for survival and human rights.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Sori warned that unless the \u201ctyranny on Adivasis stops,\u201d resistance will only grow stronger across the country.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u201cGenocide in Bastar\u201d: 500+ Dead, Forests Lost: Adivasi Voices Demand Justice<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

State Violence vs. Constitutional Rights<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Prof. G. Hargopal<\/strong> of the Coordination Committee for Peace drew parallels between Chhattisgarh\u2019s militarisation and earlier crackdowns in Andhra Pradesh. He warned that state violence, once normalised, cannot be contained.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe trust the State because its use of force is meant to be bound by law,\u201d he said. \u201cBut in Chhattisgarh, weapons are used recklessly, outside the law, with impunity. At that point, there is no difference between State violence and private violence.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He reminded the audience that Adivasis have been fighting for over two centuries \u2013 from Birsa Munda\u2019s rebellion to present-day struggles \u2013 for land, forests, and co-existence, not for profit. Referring to Schedule 5 of the Constitution<\/strong>, he stressed that forest land cannot be taken without the consent of tribal communities, yet this safeguard has been routinely violated.<\/p>\n

\n

Peace Talks and Democratic Space<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Hargopal emphasised that genuine peace requires dialogue, not repression. Drawing from Andhra Pradesh\u2019s history of peace negotiations, he said:<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cPeace is not a graveyard, peace is life! The first step is a ceasefire, followed by addressing land reforms, democratic rights, and corporate MoUs.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He also warned that democracy itself is under threat, with institutions like the judiciary, Election Commission, and media increasingly weakened. \u201cWhen violence is normalised in one region, it spreads everywhere,\u201d he cautioned, linking the struggle in Chhattisgarh to broader democratic concerns.<\/p>\n

\n

Coalition of Voices<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The event was jointly organised by over 30 organisations including Adivasi Sangharsh Morcha, People\u2019s Union for Civil Liberties, Dalit Sangharsh Samithi, All India Students Association, Fridays for Future\u2013Karnataka<\/strong>, and several grassroots collectives. Together, they vowed to continue mobilising support for Adivasis and demanded an end to Operation Kagar.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Militarisation for Mining: Rights Groups Expose Hidden Agenda Behind Operation Kagar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

Analysis<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

The discussions at this forum reveal three central themes:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Resource Exploitation<\/strong> \u2013 Operation Kagar is viewed as a tool for enabling corporate mining in Adivasi lands.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Systematic Violence<\/strong> \u2013 From mass killings to sexual violence, testimonies point to systemic targeting of Adivasis.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    Erosion of Democracy<\/strong> \u2013 The militarisation of central India is linked to the weakening of democratic institutions and rights across the country.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    What emerges is a call for India to re-examine its developmental model and uphold constitutional protections for indigenous communities.<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\udd39 Impactful Quotes<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
      \n
    • \n

      Prof. Nagaragere Ramesh:<\/strong> \u201cCorporate capitalism and communalism are the twin dangers of our time. Operation Kagar is nothing but an assault on Adivasi lives and dignity.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Soni Sori:<\/strong> \u201cChildren in the womb hear the death cries of their fathers. This is nothing less than genocide \u2013 a war on Adivasis.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Soni Sori:<\/strong> \u201cAdivasis are not fighting for profit or power. They are fighting for survival, forests, and basic human rights.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Prof. G. Hargopal:<\/strong> \u201cWhen the State uses weapons recklessly, outside the law, there is no difference between State violence and private violence.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Prof. G. Hargopal:<\/strong> \u201cPeace is not a graveyard. Peace is life \u2013 and it begins with dialogue, not bullets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      \n

      \ud83d\udd39 Q&A\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

      Q: What is Operation Kagar?<\/strong>
      A: A counter-insurgency operation in central India, officially against Maoists, but activists allege it is primarily aimed at clearing Adivasi lands for mining and corporate projects.<\/p>\n

      Q: How many have been affected?<\/strong>
      A: Over 500 Adivasis and combatants have reportedly been killed, with widespread displacement, mass burials, and sexual violence reported.<\/p>\n

      Q: Why are activists calling it a \u201cwar on Adivasis\u201d?<\/strong>
      A: Because entire communities \u2013 including women and children \u2013 are targeted. Villages are destroyed, forests grabbed, and constitutional rights ignored.<\/p>\n

      Q: What do the campaigners demand?<\/strong>
      A: An immediate ceasefire, peace talks, protection of Adivasi rights under Schedule 5 of the Constitution, and a halt to corporate land grabs.<\/p>\n

      Q: What is the larger implication for democracy?<\/strong>
      A: Speakers warned that militarisation erodes democratic institutions and normalises violence, which could spread across India.<\/p>\n

      \n

      \ud83d\udccc Fact Sheet: Operation Kagar & The War on Adivasis<\/strong><\/h1>\n

      1\ufe0f\u20e3 What is Operation Kagar?<\/strong>
      A military offensive in Central India, officially against Maoists \u2013 but activists allege it is a cover for land grab and mining projects.<\/p>\n

      2\ufe0f\u20e3 Casualties So Far<\/strong>
      Over 500+ Adivasis and combatants killed<\/strong>; many others displaced, jailed, or subjected to fake encounters.<\/p>\n

      3\ufe0f\u20e3 Targeting Communities<\/strong>
      Entire villages destroyed. Families not informed when people are killed \u2013 corpses buried in mass graves.<\/p>\n

      4\ufe0f\u20e3 Violence Against Women<\/strong>
      Reports of sexual violence, rape, and torture<\/strong> of Adivasi women under custody and during raids.<\/p>\n

      5\ufe0f\u20e3 Genocide in Disguise<\/strong>
      Activist Soni Sori<\/strong> calls it \u201cnothing less than genocide\u201d<\/em> \u2013 a systematic attack on Adivasi survival.<\/p>\n

      6\ufe0f\u20e3 Rights Violated<\/strong>
      Under Schedule 5 of the Constitution<\/strong>, tribal consent is required before entering forest lands \u2013 but this safeguard has been ignored.<\/p>\n

      7\ufe0f\u20e3 Corporate-Political Nexus<\/strong>
      Operation Kagar is seen as enabling corporate mining and deforestation<\/strong>, benefiting private companies at the cost of Adivasi lives.<\/p>\n

      8\ufe0f\u20e3 Voices from the Forum<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n

        Prof. Nagaragere Ramesh: \u201cCorporate capitalism & communalism are the twin dangers India faces today.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Prof. G. Hargopal: \u201cPeace is not a graveyard. Peace is life \u2013 and it begins with dialogue, not bullets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        9\ufe0f\u20e3 Democracy at Stake<\/strong>
        Speakers warned that militarisation erodes democracy, weakens institutions, and normalises violence across India.<\/p>\n

        \ud83d\udd1f Demands from the Forum<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • \n

          Immediate ceasefire & peace talks<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          Protection of Adivasi land, forests, and rights<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          Withdrawal of corporate land grab projects<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          End to state-sponsored violence<\/strong> in tribal regions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          <\/div>\n

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

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

          Operation Kagar: A War on Adivasis or a War for Resources? Public Meeting in Bengaluru Condemns Militarisation and Calls for Peace Talks Bengaluru, August 23, 2025 \u2013 The Karnataka Peoples Forum Against War on Adivasis held a public discussion condemning Operation Kagar, a military offensive in central India, terming it a \u201cwar on Adivasis and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5400,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[66],"tags":[823,862,882,836],"class_list":["post-5397","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-karnataka","tag-adivasi","tag-capitalism","tag-communalism","tag-operation-kagar"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5397","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=5397"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5397\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5401,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5397\/revisions\/5401"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5400"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5397"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5397"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5397"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}