Adivasi, Dalit, Bahujan groups call Bharat Bandh against SC decision to evict tribals, 13-point roster

Several tribal and dalit rights group have called for Bharat Bandh on March 5 to demand that Central government promulgate two ordinances to secure Dalit and tribal rights that have been affected by the Supreme Court decisions. One to secure the forest rights of tribals, and the second to ensure fair representation in UGC faculty posts.

The demand also include that the government establishes the Indian Judicial Services under Article 312 of the Constitution, for recruitment in higher judiciary posts to ensure inclusion of SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities and women.

The call for nation wide strike comes in after a recent Supreme Court decision to carry out eviction of tribals and forest dwellers, whose claims over forest land were declined under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.

Although, the apex court had stayed its decision last week, tribal rights groups have demanded an ordinance, saying that there is still a looming threat of evictions.

According to a report in the Indian Express, Omprakash of Adivasi Adhikar Andolan, said, “We were always assured that everyone will be given pattas for the land they occupy but that was never done. Now the government wants to take away our land…”

A number of Bahujan groups will also take part in the demonstration, in view of the Supreme Court’s recent dismissal of a review petition on a 13-point roster, which is going to affect the chances of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and OBC candidates to take up faculty posts in universities. They are demanding for an ordinance that will overturn the 13-point roster for department-wise recruitment system in universities.

Bharat bandh will culminate in petitions, with demands being submitted to district administrations at the local level, and to the President and Prime Minister in Delhi. In New Delhi, the protesters are set to march from Mandi House to Parliament Street.