Nagpur, Nov 16, 2016: There is no reason found in displacing thousands of Adivasis from their native lands because these places belong to them more. Satish Pendam, President of Adivasi Mulniwasi Adhikar Parishad said that the state government should provide separate land for Adivasis. He said this during a tribal rally at Old Morris College ground, Dhantoli.

The rally was held in honour of freedom fighter Birsa Munda, to celebrate his 141st birth anniversary. Self-Respect Movement, Birsa Brigade, Unique Society for Social Justice and Adivasi Bachao Andolan jointly hosted the rally, mentioned TOI.

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Addressing the gathering he said,"We celebrate anniversaries of great personalities to learn from on their teachings and values. Birsa's teaches humanity and that all human beings are equal." Focusing on the hardships of tribals he said, "There are more blood banks in rural areas for a good reason. But, our people have to sell their blood in order to feed their children."

On the issue of rape of the minor trial girls in Ashramshala, a Buldhana district, Pendam said, " We will not sit silently as Adivasi girls get abused by people of the upper caste. The government's silence on the issue shows that it is going slow on the culprits."

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Talking about the Right to Identity for the tribe, he said to TOI, "We have been residing on this land longer than any other community. Actually, we are the owners of this land and its time the nation recognises this."

Along with Pendam, members of the organising parties Jogilal Ilpache, Shankar Uike, Marotrao Kolwate and 35 Sarpanches from the district attended the event. Rajiv Poddar, BJP President of Nagpur district was the Chief guest.

Different speakers also voiced issues like the social identity of indigenous people and Adivasi personal law. An Adivasi social, educational, cultural and economic protection act was also put forward in order to safeguard the rights of indigenous tribes, mentioned TOI.

Around 1,000 people became a part of this rally from villages of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and parts of Maharashtra. Folk dances shown by men and women of the tribal community and Folk songs by children were presented during the rally.

– prepared by Chesta Ahuja, NewsGram. Twitter: @ahuja_chesta