Skip to main content

500 km tribal march seeks policy changes to overcome over-centralizing tendencies

By Bharat Dogra* 

In a recent 21 day march from Banswara to Jaipur, a distance of over 500 km., members of tribal communities of South Rajasthan and neighbouring areas asserted the need for important policy changes keeping in view the harm being caused by over-centralizing tendencies which are imposing priorities and policies that are far from the priorities and real needs as understood by these communities.
India’s constitution has provided important safeguards for scheduled tribes and this was strengthened by PESA law (Extension of Panchayati Raj to Scheduled Areas). While this law brought high hopes, its implementation was a disappointment in many ways. As a result, several tribal communities faced displacement or erosion of rights, while the feeling of existing development models being far removed from their real needs and aspirations have been even more widespread.
Looking for alternatives, several tribal communities in South Rajasthan started centring their alternative thinking on seeds, farming, food and nutrition, soil and water, education and childhood, forests and bio-diversity around the Gandhian concept of swaraj which during the freedom movement meant self-rule to most people but was now found very useful in assertions against over-centralizing tendencies that were resulting in serious problems for tribal communities. Rich traditions which had existed among tribal communities for a long time were very supportive of self-reliance, community ties, protection of indigenous seeds and the related bio-diversity but these have been harmed by the imposition of alien policies and attitudes. The resulting search for alternatives manifested in the concept of swaraj and several dialogues, facilitated by activists of a leading voluntary organization Vaagdhara, led to articulation of what swaraj means and signifies in present times in the more specific context of farming, food, seeds, nutrition, soil, water, forests, health, education, culture etc. It was felt that these ideas are likely to have a wider relevance and need to be discussed with a much larger number of people, ordinary villagers as well as scholars. Enriched and endorsed by such dialogues, this vision should then be translated into a set of demands for policy changes and placed before the government with wide endorsement of people and scholars involved in such issues.
These discussions finally culminated in the planning for a people’s march and dialogue centred in the concept of swaraj, to be facilitated by Vaagdhara. This march, it was planned, would interact with various rural communities (not just tribal ones) on the way from Banswara to Jaipur and meet elected representatives as well.
Over 200 members of tribal communities started on this march cum dialogue with high hopes. Each day they would wake up as early as around 3 a.m. with a view to getting an early start. They covered about 25 km per day and had meetings and interactions generally at two places.
Tribal farmers who were marching were surprised to know that several of their concerns were shared by other farmers in many villages. There was widespread concern over the adverse impacts of indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. There was concern over the steady loss of several nutritious crops and foods, including but not confined to millets, or the loss of their health and medicinal benefits due to excessive agro-chemical inputs and loss of natural fertility of land. With increasing preoccupation with shorter-term gains, the base of sustainable farming in the form of soil and water was being eroded and depleted, raising serious concerns over sustainability of rural livelihoods.
While the march and its dialogues and interactions among village communities, farmers and marchers confirmed that such concerns were widespread (although local details and contexts may differ), on the positive side it was clear that there were thoughtful responses from various people, particularly farmers. Several of the marchers also had much to say regarding their best practices, as they had worked in a more systemic and stable way regarding this, and their display of a wide diversity of traditional seeds, along with comments on the importance and nitty-gritty of this work, was well-received by people.
It is very important to sensitize the upcoming generation on these issues and the marchers made it a point to visit schools along the way and speak to children and teachers. Students also took a keen interest in the diversity of seeds displayed. But what delighted children most was when the marchers stated that children should be involved in decision making in all issues concerning them, in families, schools and even gram sabhas ( village assemblies which are so far seen officially as assemblies of only village adults)! The marchers placed a vision of childhood which is free of exploitation and deprivation, in which all children get opportunities of good learning-- learning which prepares them for many –sided opportunities without alienating them from their roots in such a way that with all their learning and skills they remain committed to the welfare of their community and strive to contribute to it when they grow up.
Another effort of the marchers was to keep meeting elected panchayat representatives and local officials along the way so that some of the good practices or the issues being discussed in the course of these dialogues can get their support as well, or at least they can be sensitized regarding these, to be more aware and thoughtful regarding such concerns.
When the marchers reached Jaipur on the 21st day, a meeting of several leading scholars and thinkers was organized to discuss the various issues raised in the course of the march. This helped the marchers to prepare a charter of demands relating to much greater emphasis on local/traditional seeds conservation and also involving government agencies in this, on soil and water conservation, on farming and food systems which are much more self-reliant, ecologically protective and closer to the ways nutrition needs of people have been met in more satisfactory and wholesome ways in the past, on protection of forests and creation of new forests based on diverse indigenous species, and even more broadly a thoughtful encouragement for those educational and cultural initiatives which can strengthen village communities for a more secure and integrative future in difficult times of climate change and adverse weather. This charter of demands was presented to the Chief Minister and the Governor, securing hope-giving assurances from the government (the Rajasthan government has a better record than several state governments in terms of several promising initiatives) and on this optimistic note the marchers returned home to share several constructive ideas of the march with their communities.
---
*Honorary convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include ‘India’s Quest for Sustainable Farming and Healthy Food', ‘Planet in Peril’ and ‘A Day in 2071’

Comments

TRENDING

Aurangzeb’s last will recorded by his Maulvi: Allah shouldn't make anyone emperor

By Mohan Guruswamy  Aurangzeb’s grave is a simple slab open to the sky lying along the roadside at Khuldabad near Aurangabad. I once stopped by to marvel at the tomb of an Emperor of India whose empire was as large as Ashoka the Great's. It was only post 1857 when Victoria's domain exceeded this. The epitaph reads: "Az tila o nuqreh gar saazand gumbad aghniyaa! Bar mazaar e ghareebaan gumbad e gardun bas ast." (The rich may well construct domes of gold and silver on their graves. For the poor folks like me, the sky is enough to shelter my grave) The modest tomb of Aurangzeb is perhaps the least recognised legacies of the Mughal Emperor who ruled the land for fifty eventful years. He was not a builder having expended his long tenure in war and conquest. Towards the end of his reign and life, he realised the futility of it all. He wrote: "Allah should not make anyone an emperor. The most unfortunate person is he who becomes one." Aurangzeb’s last will was re...

Beyond his riding skill, Karl Umrigar was admired for his radiance, sportsmanship, and affability

By Harsh Thakor*  Karl Umrigar's name remains etched in the annals of Indian horse racing, a testament to a talent tragically cut short. An accident on the racetrack at the tender age of nineteen robbed India of a rider on the cusp of greatness. Had he survived, there's little doubt he would have ascended to international stature, possibly becoming the greatest Indian jockey ever. Even 46 years after his death, his name shines brightly, reminiscent of an inextinguishable star. His cousin, Pesi Shroff, himself blossomed into one of the most celebrated jockeys in Indian horse racing.

PUCL files complaint with SC against Gujarat police, municipal authorities for 'unlawful' demolitions, custodial 'violence'

By A Representative   The People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has lodged a formal complaint with the Chief Justice of India, urging the Supreme Court to initiate suo-moto contempt proceedings against the police and municipal authorities in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The complaint alleges that these officials have engaged in unlawful demolitions and custodial violence, in direct violation of a Supreme Court order issued in November 2024.

How the slogan Jai Bhim gained momentum as movement of popularity and revolution

By Dr Kapilendra Das*  India is an incomprehensible plural country loaded with diversities of religions, castes, cultures, languages, dialects, tribes, societies, costumes, etc. The Indians have good manners/etiquette (decent social conduct, gesture, courtesy, politeness) that build healthy relationships and take them ahead to life. In many parts of India, in many situations, and on formal occasions, it is common for people of India to express and exchange respect, greetings, and salutation for which we people usually use words and phrases like- Namaskar, Namaste, Pranam, Ram Ram, Jai Ram ji, Jai Sriram, Good morning, shubha sakal, Radhe Radhe, Jai Bajarangabali, Jai Gopal, Jai Jai, Supravat, Good night, Shuvaratri, Jai Bhole, Salaam walekam, Walekam salaam, Radhaswami, Namo Buddhaya, Jai Bhim, Hello, and so on. A soft attitude always creates strong relationships. A relationship should not depend only on spoken words. They should rely on understanding the unspoken feeling too. So w...

Haven't done a good deed, inner soul is cursing me as sinner: Aurangzeb's last 'will'

Counterview Desk The Tomb of Aurangzeb, the last of the strong Mughal emperors, located in Khuldabad, Aurangabad district, Maharashtra, has this epitaph inscribed on it: "Az tila o nuqreh gar saazand gumbad aghniyaa! Bar mazaar e maa ghareebaan gumbad e gardun bas ast" (the rich may well construct domes of gold and silver on their graves. For the poor folks like me, the sky is enough to shelter my grave).

CPM’s evaluation of BJP reflects its political character and its reluctance to take on battle against neo-fascism

By Harsh Thakor*  A controversial debate has emerged in the revolutionary camp regarding the Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s categorization of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Many Communists criticize the CPM’s reluctance to label the BJP as a fascist party and India as a fascist state. Various factors must be considered to arrive at an accurate assessment. Understanding the original meaning and historical development of fascism is essential, as well as analyzing how it manifests in the present global and national context.

State Human Rights Commission directs authorities to uphold environmental rights in Vadodara's Vishwamitri River Project

By A Representative  The Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC) has ordered state and Vadodara municipal authorities to strictly comply with environmental and human rights safeguards during the Vishwamitri River Rejuvenation Project, stressing that the river’s degradation disproportionately affects marginalized communities and violates citizens’ rights to a healthy environment.  The Commission mandated an immediate halt to ecologically destructive practices, rehabilitation of affected communities, transparent adherence to National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders, and public consultations with experts and residents.   The order follows the Concerned Citizens of Vadodara coalition—environmentalists, ecologists, and urban planners—submitting a detailed letter to authorities, amplifying calls for accountability. The group warned that current plans to “re-section” and “desilt” the river contradict the NGT’s 2021 Vishwamitri River Action Plan, which prioritizes floodpla...

How polarization between different ideological trends within the communist movement sharpened in India

By Harsh Thakor*  This article is a rejoinder to A Note on Slogans of “Left Unity,” “Unity of the Communist Revolutionaries” and “Mass Line” by Umair Ahmed, published on the Nazariya blog .

Vadodara citizens urge authorities to adhere to environmental mandates in Vishwamitri River Rejuvenation Project

By A Representative   A coalition of environmental activists, ecologists, and urban planners in Vadodara has issued an urgent appeal to state and municipal authorities, demanding strict compliance with court-mandated guidelines for the upcoming Vishwamitri River rejuvenation project. Scheduled to commence in March 2025, the initiative aims to mitigate flooding and restore the river, but citizens warn that current plans risk violating National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders and jeopardizing the river’s fragile ecosystem, home to endangered species like crocodiles and Indian Softshell Turtles.  

Implications of deaths of Maoist leaders G. Renuka and Ankeshwarapu Sarayya in Chhattisgarh

By Harsh Thakor*  In the wake of recent security operations in southern Chhattisgarh, two senior Maoist leaders, G. Renuka and Ankeshwarapu Sarayya, were killed. These operations, which took place amidst a historically significant Maoist presence, resulted in the deaths of 31 individuals on March 20th and 16 more three days prior.