Support the Historic ‘Standing Struggle’ of the Adivasis in Kerala “Paint Your Support”: Canvas Painting at Sagar Square, Saturday 4.30 PM Dear Friends, For the past 114 days, the capital of Kerala is witnessing a historic struggle. In this unique struggle, hundreds of Adivasis have been standing in front of Kerala secretariat, raising the slogan “Keeping Promises is Democratic Courtesy”, reminding the Kerala government and society of the promises they made to the Adivasis. The history of the alienation of Adivasi land goes back to the early 20th century when people from the mainland migrated to the hilly areas of Malabar. The large scale migration resulted in encroachment of Adivasi land and their displacement from their habitat. In 1975, the Government of Kerala introduced the Kerala Scheduled Tribes Act (Restriction on Transfer of Land and to Restore the Alienated Land) to prevent further alienation of the Adivasi land and to restore the already alienated land. However, the Act was not implemented which led to the intervention of the High Court. Despite the High Court’s writ of mandamus on 15 October 1993 to implement the act within six months, the politically powerful migrants forced the government to amend the act of 1975. In 1996, the government of Kerala amended the 1975 Act and sent it to the assent of the President of India, which he rejected. The government again amended it in 1999 according to which “only land in excess of two hectares will be restored, while alternate land would be given elsewhere in lieu of alienated land up to 2 hectors”. When the Malayalis were busy celebrating Onam in 2001, many Adivasis were dying of starvation. Kudilketti Samaram under the banner of Adivasi-Dalit Agitation Council was an immediate response to this perilous situation. The agitation ended with the chief minister of Kerala signing an agreement with the agitators. However, the government was not at all enthusiastic about keeping its promise. Realising that the government was not ready to keep its promises, the Adivasis claimed land in Muthanga in 2003. What followed was brutal police action which led to the death and destruction of many Adivasi lives. It is in this backdrop that the ongoing Standing Struggle started in front of the secretariat by Adivasi Gotra Maha Sabha under the leadership of C K Janu, M Geethanandan and others, as a continuation of the decades-long struggle. The adivasis demand the implementation of constitutional provisions, and the laws and acts for the welfare of Adivasis. Since the Adivasi-Dalit organisations, different social, cultural and other political organisations are extremely vigilant the state government hasn’t yet unleashed its terror on Adivasis. The social media also plays a commendable role in making this struggle visible in the Malayali public sphere. It is a shame that the landless Adivasis have been standing for more than three months and the political parties and government are not taking any steps to resolve the issue amicably. It is our responsibility to support this struggle which is a struggle to protect land, forest, water and all natural resources. This is a struggle for justice, struggle to exist, and struggle to survive. The people around the world are expressing their solidarity with the struggle in many ways; some even staging a one-day symbolic standing protest. The campuses across the country are standing up in support of this struggle. On the day of the anniversary of the formation of Kerala state in 1956, which promised a democratic, inclusive state, let’s come together to express our solidarity to the struggle. In order to express the solidarity of the EFLU Students’ community, we are organising a canvas painting at SAGAR SQUARE on 1 NOVEMBER at 4.30 PM. We solicit your solidarity and support for this struggle. Let’s ask, why are we still keeping them standing in the rain and sun?
Posted on: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 16:39:24 +0000