Ekta Parishad South India

Report of the two days consultation on Climate change, agriculture and land rights of Tamilnadu

2011-06-25T07:48:00.001-07:00

Report of the two days consultation on Climate change, agriculture and land rights of Tamilnadu held at CESCI Madurai on 19th, 20th march 2011.

The day begins with a silent prayer to the departed soul of Mr. Marianathan, from Villupuram who worked as a dhastha nayak under Mr. Vinod dhal nayak and the thousands of souls who lost their life in the recent tsunami devastation in Japan. Mr. Biju coordinator CESCI welcomed all the participants and invited Mr. Vijayarangan to preside over the session of the day. Also invited Mr. Ramesh Bhai, Mr. Jagadisan, Mr. Dhanraj and Mr. Raja………….

Mr. Vijayaragan briefed that the issue of land is crucial in Tamilnadu and it need a lot to do with the Govt. to change the land related laws to the betterment of the landless, adivasi and dalit communities. People don’t have much awareness on their land rights. Many of them are thinking on their personal profits to take over land.

Raja and Jagadisan made a brief presentation about their experience with Ekta Parishad and requested to the participants to understand the issue of land and its connection with the adivasi, dalit and farmers.

Ramesh bhai began with his inaugural speech by thanking every one who took time to participate this important meeting and also thanked their interest to associate with Ekta Parishad to jointly work on various people’s issues especially on forest, land and water. He pointed out some example how Govt is working on various development sections in connection with peoples lives. In a study report by the World Bank we can see the status of land in India from 1864 to till 2008. During the year 1864 about 46% of land was covered with forest in India and in 1927 it become 27%, in 1980 - 29%, and in the year 2008 it become only 14%. In this status report we can understand that how much forest was cut off and how the forest development agency worked in the name of forest development. If they really work on the development of forest how it become 14% from a status of 46% of forest land. India like countries were majority is depending agriculture and forest should have access to forest and right on it. Similarly people depending on sea should have right on their coastal land and the sea. For the last ten years about 1.5 lakh farmers died in India due to debt on agriculture loan and other problems.

Mr.Dhanraj made a short introduction on FRA and its implementation in the state. Some of the stories of the adivasi people who led struggle many years before for preventing their forest from illegal cutting. Were adivasis are heroes and they began the struggle many years before itself to protect their forest land. Similarly Chipco Movement led by Sundarlal Bahuguna also protect the forest with the held of local village and adivais women. Adivais are very simple living people and they don’t need any materials like the city people. They don’t have the habit of accumulating property and making profit out of it. In tamilnadu there is about 6.5 lakh adivais are living in the forest and related areas. There are 8 types of adivasi groups are them. The FRA 2006 is one of the best laws to help the adivasi people and here in Tamilnadu there is a stay in the court against the implementation of this Act.

Ramesh Bhai made a second round discussion with the group on the status of land reform in tamilnadu…………………………………..

The second day began with a group discussion on Land rights of tamilnadu and followed by there was a discussion happened on the Jansandesh yatra. Mr. Thennavan facilitated the Jansandesh yatra discussion and finally came to an end with following decisions.

1. Mr. Dhanraj will be Jansandesh yatra organizing coordinator for tamilandu and he will travel and meet organizations and peoples who took responsibility in different districts and to make success the yatra in Tamilnadu.
2. The group discussion helped to chalk out a travel plan for Tamilandu with details and people responsible in respective districts.
3. Resources needed for this yatra will have to raise locally and for that the state level yatara coordination team have to workout a plan to raise local fund raising.
4. Due to dewali festival in October during the yatara in Tamilandu there will be some difficulty to organize programs in the last week of October. Even though the group finds some solutions and modified the plan of action.
5. The Proposed Travel plan is following;

Date District Time Place Program Person Responsible
17.10.2011 Coimbatore 10.30 am Pollachi Padaytra Jagadisan
04.30 pm Pollachi Hall meeting Jagadisan
Thirupur 06.00 pm Udumalipetai Public meetng Dandapani
18.10.2011 Dindigul 10.30 am Gandhigram Hall Meeting Rajendran
Karur 03.00 pm Kulithalai Press meeting Subrahmanian
04.00 pm Kulithali Public meeting Subrahmanian
19.10.2011 Theni 11.00 am Periyakulam Press meeting Raja
4.00 pm Periyakulam Hall Meeting Raja
20.10.2011 Madurai 11.00 am Usilampatti Public meeting Karpagam
Virudnagar 04.00 pm Virudhnagar Public meeting Dhanraj
21.10.2011 Virudhnagar 10.00 am Rajaplayam Public meeting Sivagami
Thirunelvali 06.00 pm Thalayanai Public meeting Dhanraj
22.10.2011 Virudhnagar 08.00 am Kovilpatti Village Visit Shyam
10.00 am Virud nagar Press meet Shyam
06.00 pm Virud nagar Public meeting Thennavan
23.10.2011 Madurai 11.00 am Gandhi museum Public meeting Kalavani
24.10.2011 Sivagangai 11.00 am Gandhi park Public meeting Kilandai Therasa
25.10.2011 Puthukottai 10.00 am Puthukotta Press meet Palanichamy
11.00 am Puthukottai Hall meeting Palanichamy
26.10.2011 Trichy 10.00 am Central Press meet Anpazhagan
03.00 pm Central Public meeting Anpazhagan
27.10.2011 Thanjavur 11.00 am Thanjavur Public meeting Arockia das
Nagapattinam 03.00 pm Nagai Public meeting Arockia das
28.10.2011 Cuddalore 11.00 am Cuddalore Press meet Jayakodi
12.00 pm Cuddalore Public meeting Rajamoorthy
Pondychery 04.00 pm Pondychery Press Meet Palanichamy
29.10.2011 Villupuram 11.00 am Villupuram Press Meet Sumathi
02.00 pm VPM Public meeting Sumathi
04.00 pm VPM Village visit Senthilkumar
30.10.2011 Kanchipuram 10.00 am Kanchipuram Padayatra Komala
Vellore 03.00 pm Vellore Public meeting Komala

Land Rights Recommendation from the group discussion;

Leaders from four groups Mr. Vijayarangan, Mr. Arulchamy, Ms. Sumathi, and Mr. Anpazhagan presented the notes came out of the discussion from their respective groups.

1. Every land less family should get a minimum of land for housing and agriculture.
2. A land belongs to adivasi and Dalits should not to sell to non adivasi/dalit groups. Law should make it strict.
3. False cases against adivais should be settled with immediate effect.
4. The places were adivais, dalits and land less poor are living should treated as natham porombaoke and will have to give the titles jointly in their family.
5. The villages should develop a village map were the available land (poramboke, temple land, panchami land, etc.) should be marked to the benefit of landless people in the respective villages.
6. Land ceiling act should be implemented properly were people should have control over the implementation process.
7. Land rights awareness education programs should be organized through out Tamilnadu to bring awareness among people on their land rights.
8. Coastal rights should be implemented for the fisherman community fir their livelihood activities.
9. The state has to confirm legally to get every landless family for 5 acres agri land and for housing 5 cents.
10. Grama sabha should be empowered to provide land to the SEZ, Industrial parks, etc with the full permission of the village community.
11. Govt. should stop the process of providing land to the multinationals for lease and the same time they should get back the land already given to various companies and to redistribute the landless people.
12. Right to Land for housing should be made as special law to provide land for every Indian citizen like right to food, right to education under the Indian constitution.
13. Land reform Council should act speedy to reduce the land related issues in the country.
14. Land ceiling should reduce up to 5 acre per agriculture family.
15. Panchami Land should be identified and have to distribute to the rightful beneficiaries.
16. Large amount of surplus Land belongs to various religious groups like; temple-muts, temples, churches, Bhoodhan land should be identified and redistributed to the landless people.
17. Forest Right Act 2006 should be implemented immediately to make benefit large number of adivais in the state.
18. There are many estates are the state and the Govt. should make an immediate survey to understand the lease period status of the land and should get back the lease period over land and distribute to the landless.
19. Agriculture land should be used only for agriculture cultivation and not for making roads, buildings etc.
20. Govt. should not use its power to aquire land not for any other non agriculture purpose.
21. People who depends sea, forest, land for their traditional livelihood rights should be ensured by the Govt.
22. Women should get equal right on family property and the titles of the property should be made on the name of the husband and wife together. Even after getting equal rights on land, in case they want to dispose their land due to some unavoidable reasons, it only to be sold to their family members only.
23. Land belongs to dalit and adivais can not be sold to other groups and it is not valid, the law should be strictly enforced.
24. The Acts related to land should be published in tamil language and to be distributed among the people for their awareness.
25. People who work as bonded labours under land lords is to be identified and released with the help of Govt. authorities.
26. Political parties and politicians are acquiring large acres of land during their ruling period. This practice should be stopped by introducing some special laws.

Mr. Nagalingam made a short presentation about the Global warming issue and the need of peoples and organizations coming together on this issue. This consultation is supposed to be organized along with the large conference they were planning in Madurai. Due to political reasons they were forced to postpone the mega conference to some other day after the assembly election. Due to various development reasons the world is getting enormous heat and it is coming to a dangerous position to all the living beings in the earth. It is our responsibility to understand or real needs and to get away from the market based living style. Consumerism is become the major disease in the world and it has become like a new religion that affects the life of modern civilization. There are many scientific studies available on Global warming issue to make us understand the level of disaster what is going to happen once the level is crossed beyond its limits. Before crossing the level we should have to change our living style to protect this beautiful planet for the next generation. With a beautiful poem triggering various political issues he ended up his speech.

Finally in a concluding session Ramesh Bhai thanked every participant who made active participation in this two days consultation and pointed out some of the follow up actions that needed to make Ekta Parishad active in Tamilnadu. There are many programs that are waiting and some of the programs need to be organized immediately in-order to prepare for Jansatyagraha 2012.
1. Jansandesh yatra in Tamilnadu from 17th to 30th October 2011 is the major work that needs to be coordinated and the yatra should be made successful with great participation.
2. In January 2012 Shri. Subba raoji is organizing a national level youth camp in Coimbatore there we can send about 400 participants for youth training.
3. A Theater workshop can be organized in-order to train people on theatre who are leading the culture group along with the jansnasandesh yatra in Tamilnadu.
4. People from Tamilnadu should ensure their participation throughout the one year jansandesh yatra.
5. FRA 2006 act should be published in Tamil language and circulated among the people who have the chance to benefit out of this particular law.
6. It is also possible to organize a two days consultation only on laws related land with a group of 50 activists. People from respective subjects will be invited are resource persons to enhance the knowledge of the participants.

Finally Mr. Jagdisan thanked each and every participants and resource person and ended the consultation with a better feeling of satisfaction and hope.

Report on Kerala state land rights consultation

2011-06-25T07:46:00.000-07:00

…….Report on Kerala state land rights consultation held at Ashirbhawan, Ernakulam on 16-17 march 2011…..

First day (16th March 2011)

There are about 54 activists participated in this two days consultation jointly organized by Gothrabhoomi and ekta parishad. People from various land struggles and related issues are the main participants in this consultation. Shri. Ramesh Sharma Ekta Parishad national member inaugurated the consultation and explained why after janadesh 2007 ekta parishad decided to do the janasatyagraha 2012 with greater explanation of landless people’s issues in India. We don’t want changes in the ruling parties but we expect changes in their pro poor policies and their attitude towards poor and marginalized and their willingness to reduce the poverty in our country. The Govt should have the courage to take bold steps inorder to address various issues that affects the common man. In the year 2008 Land Reform committee presented a report to Govt. to look various land issues and to reintroduce land reform policy in India, even after three years Govt. is not in a position to make any serious actions on the report. That why we are forced to think about to make the Govt accountable on land related policies and have decided to make the action Jansatyagraha 2012.

In the afternoon Prof. Kunhikrishnan made a detailed presentation about the status of adivasi land issues in kerla. He pointed that adivais are not a vote bank in Kerla that is why they are not included in any of the mainstream development projects. By uniting together only adivais can become a stronger force in Kerala and this will lead them to ask their demand from the Govt. (Annexure -1) Tribals Continues To Be Deceived: Prof. Kunhikrishnan

Later in the evening leaders from six districts presented the ongoing struggles happening in Kerala and requested the solidarity from each other. K.T ramachandran, Kasargod, K.A. Ramu, Palakkad, A.C. Ramakrishnan and Vasudevan from Waynad, V.J. Biju from Idukky, C.V. John from Adimaly, P.P.Santhosh from Ernakulam, Raji from Kottayam, Bolan from V.B.Bathery, Shamsu from Malappuram, K.C.Shrikumar from Kollam, were the main speakers who made the presentation.

Second day (17th March 2011)
The second day began with a song by Ramu and Shival from attapady about the life of adivais and followed by Suresh Babu and Biju presented the Jansandhesh yatra and the role for Kerala team. It was decided to nominate the name Mr. Pavithran, as Chairman, Mr. Rajendra Prasad, Vice Chairman and Mr. Suresh babu, as Convener of this coordination committee. From a detailed discussion a yatra plan was decided starting from 3rd October to 17th October. It was also decided to nominate some responsible names in every districts as yatra coordination conveners. The yatra coordination committee will meet at KGNS office on the 16th April 2011 to chalk out detailed plan on this Jansandesh yatra in Kerala.

Jansandesh Yatra plan for Kerala;

Date Place Person Responsible
2nd October Kanya Kumari
3rd October Trivandrum Sreeja
4th October Kollam Sreekumar
5th October Pathanamthitta Biju
6th October Iduki Biju
7th October Kottayam Rejikumar
8th October Allapuzha Jagadisan
9th October Ernakulam Suresh George/Aromal
10th October Thrissur Parameswar Sharma
11th October Kasargod Surendranath/Ramachandran
12th October Kannur Satheesh/pavithran
13th October Wayanadu Bolan/Ramkrishnan
14th October Calicut Pappettan
15th October Malappuram Shamsudhin
16th October Palakkad Krishnakumar/Venugopal Vilayadi
17th October Attapadi Shival/ Ramu

All of them felt that we should make this yatra a serious one to make the central Govt. realize on the issue of land. It is also good chance to invite as many organizations who are interested to join with ekta parishad on this land issue struggle and to be part of Jansatyagraha 2012 action. It was also decided to convene different district level meetings by the first week of January so that we can speed up the process and prepare to welcome and participate the yatra effectively.

Mr. Sunny Kappikad made a good presentation on “The land ownership in Kerala”. It was well received by the audience. Apart from the participants peoples from and there are some journalists, advocates and some social workers also came to hear Sunny. Mr. Rajendra Prasad presided over and Mr. Ramachandran moderated the session. Sunny pointed that a total land reformation is needed in Kerala to make avail land to the land less adivais and Dalit communities. In his presentation he very clearly observed after independence how the land came to the hands of powerful groups and how poor people lost it.
Shri. Kochettan, a leading activist and philosopher of dalit issues in Kerala made a short presentation about the need of radical land reform in India to reduce the level of poverty and the development of the nation. It was an inspirational speech and the group find it very interesting. (Annexure 2) Land Ownership in Kerala: A Study by Sunny M. Kapikkad

After the group reflection and discussion Ramesh bhai was invited to conclude this two days session. Once again ramesh Bbhai thanked every one who took time to participate this two days consultation and asked every one to work hard and keep the spirit and power of nonviolence in every struggle were we are involved. He welcomed every one to kanyakumari to participate the inaugural function with a large of supporters.

Mr. Ramu made vote of thanks by thanking everyone who came to this two days wonderful and productive consultation

(Annexure -1)
Tribals Continues To Be Deceived: Prof. Kunhikrishnan

“Estrangement, particularly that related to land property, is forced submission brute authoritativeness,” Karl Marx states. Estrangement is inherent in exploiter-exploited relationship in a system of manufacture. Only the scale and span of exploitation changes. In Marx’s opinion, in a capitalist society, an estranged individual is left to live in a shell of alienation. Such an individual finds his occupation tedious and disappointing. The main reason tribals are denied their agricultural occupations is the loss of their land. Any discussion on tribal rights should be based on the issue of alienation of land.

According to article 342 of the Constitution of India, there are 533 hill tribes in the country; the census of 2001 lists 461. With 62 hill tribes, the widest collection of tribal groups live in Orissa. The 2001 census reveals that the tribal population in India is 8.34 crores, which is 9% of the total population. Figures also indicate India is home to 23% of the tribal population in the whole world. The 1991 census reports show 52.12% of the tribals to be below the poverty line.

The saga of tribals in India is that of most resolute resistance to colonization. History chronicles no less than 75 tribal revolts against the British. Unrest broke out when nationalization and reservation of forests hindered accumulation of resources. Santhal rebellions of 1833 and 1855 are a part of history. The Kurichya tribals of Wayanad rose up against British hegemony much before that. Joining hands with Pazhassi Raja, Kurichyas posed formidable challenge to the British regiment led by Arthur Wellesley.

Spread over 35 clans, there are 3.5 lakh tribals in Kerala, which is 0.47% of the tribal population of the country. The tribal component of population of the state is 1.1%. Around 65% of these live in the districts of Idukki, Palakkad and Wayanad, with 35% of the tribal populace residing in Wayanad. There are an estimated 70,000 tribal families in Kerala. In the state’s tribal population, 63.38% men and 51.07% women are literate, which is substantially higher than the national average.

The tribal clans of Kadar, Kurumbar, Cholanaikar, Kattunaykar, Koragar in the state are among the most ancient indigenous populations in India. Except Koragar, the habitation of the other tribal groups is restricted to certain forest territories. Koragar, who are found only in Kasaragod district, are now settled away from the jungles.

In the Wayanad-Idukki region, intrusion of settlers started during the British rule, when they brought labourers to clear the woods. A large number of Tamils reached the Munnar, Elamala, Peerumedu area to work in tea and cardamom estates. In Wayanad, tea plantations were established as early 1835. The “grow more food” concept implemented during World War II resulted in increased immigration into tribal habitats. This process repeated in Idukki and other hilly regions.

Concentrated around Attappadi, Nelliyampathy and Parambikkulam, 11% of the states’s tribal population reside in Palakkad district. The area of Attappadi is 745 square kilometers, close to half the extent of a smaller district like Alappuzha. To the north, it is bordered by Nilgiri hills. Springing from Nilgiris, River Bhavani streams down south to take a 90-degree turn at Attappadi and continues its journey eastward. Bhavani is one of the three rivers that flow eastward through Kerala to merge in Kaveri. Mukkali is now the main access point to Silent Valley. Siruvani, another important river in Attappadi, issues from Siruvani hills in the northeast and courses northeast to meet river Bhavani. The district of Coimbatore is dependent on Siruvani dam for water.

Tribals of Atttappadi mainly belong to three clans – Irula, Kurumba and Irular. Irulars are the most prominent group. Numbering less than 2000, Kurumbas live in the inner forests. There are 176 tribals settlements in Attappadi, once mostly a thick forest privately held by Mannarkkad Mooppil Nair. Now, official records estimate the area of forest land in Attappadi to be 444 square kilometers.

As of 1951, 91% of the population of Attappadi were indigenous inhabitants. In the tribal jargon a settler is a “vanthavasi.” There were hardly 1,100 settlers, while the number of tribals was 10,200. The immigrant lot consisted mainly of traders from Tamilnadu and workers of Mooppil Nair. There were some merchants from Kerala too. These vanthavasis settled around Anaikkatti, Agali and Kottathara. Later, these settlers started to lease or purchase land from tribals for cultivation. Having lost their habitats, tribals ended up being labourers on what was once their own land.

By 1961, tribals reduced to 60.4% of the population of Attappadi. The number of settlers rose to 8489 from 1,100. Rapid changes occurred since that point. There were organized moves to trespass tribal habitations. The 1971 census puts the number of settlers at 22,647. Once the majority, tribal population dwindled to 16,536, only 42.2% of the total population. The tribal population continued to diminish at an alarming rate, to 33% in 1981 and 27% in 1991. Between 1961 and 1991, immigrant population increased 58 times to 65,206. The increase in tribal population during this period was hardly 1.4%, bringing the number to 24,228.

The Story of Misappropriation

Tribal habitats, forests and the environment have undergone enormous changes down the years. Government acquisition of privately owned forest land under Forests Reservation Act of 1971 hastened the transformation. There were numerous assaults on the forest land acquired by government from the possession of Mooppil Nair. Vested interests grabbed forest territory, forging documents to illegitimately register land, all with accomplice of forest and revenue officials. Moochikkundu Forest Case of early 1980s is an instance that is still not forgotten. An individual misappropriated and cleared forest land bearing survey number 2019. The High Court of Kerala reacted strongly against the “forest mafia” in its judgement when the president of Agali panchayat questioned this in a public interest litigation.

The state of affairs in Wayanad is not better. Disappearance of paddy fields and the onslaught of cash crops had its impact on one or two landless tribal groups. There has been obliteration of tribal habitats in other parts of the country as well both before and after independence. Consequently, Debar commission was instituted in 1960 at the initiative of Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to examine the status of tribal communities in the country. In a detailed account of the situation, the commission proposed to the government that all the tribal land misappropriated since January 26, 1950, should be recovered and restored. The Debar commission wished that, at the very minimum, injustice done to the tribals after the day India was declared a republic be undone.

It is unclear to what degree the proposals translated into action. After the demise of Nehru, the Debar committee proposals lay dormant. In 1973, after evaluation of documents related to implementation of Five Year Plan, the Planning Commission remarked, “Efforts at tribal welfare have not resulted in any significant improvement in their standard of living. Resentment against the intrusion, oppression and exploitation from economically and politically advantaged sections is widespread among the tribal communities.” The Commission goes on to mention Santhal rebellion and Praja Mandal and Naxalbari movements. Stolen of their land through forging of documents and benami transactions, the tribal populations lost their habitats and livelihood. Naxal Varghese’ work among tribals and the spread of Naxal movement in Wayanad occurred during this period. But, the iron hands of the government mechanism crushed these revolts. Varghese was assassinated and the rebellion extinguished.

Unanimous Legislation

The next ripple of revolt was during Indira Gandhi’s tenure as prime minister, just before declaration of emergency. State revenue ministers convened in Delhi on April 1, 1975, to discuss Debar commission suggestions. The resolution of that convention urged every state to legislate laws to guarantee protection of tribal lands with strong measures to ensure embezzlement of tribal land does not occur again. The convention passed as many as 14 resolutions for the advancement of tribal communities.

State emergency was declared on June 25, 1997; it extended until March 21, 1977. Consequent to the Delhi resolution, several states enacted legislations for the protection of tribal land. The Tribal Land Bill was tabled in Kerala Legislative Assembly in 1975. Presenting the bill, Baby John, the then revenue minister, described how tribals were cheated, bizarre tales where they naively bartered their land in exchange of dried fish, tobacco and sometimes paltry amounts. “Whatever be the nature of transfer of ownership, we view the transactions plunder of tribal land. We are committed to restore tribal properties to their original inheritors,” the minister said.

C. Achutamenon was the chief minister then and Vella Eacharan the minister for in charge of Department of Harijan Welfare and Community Development. The assembly passed the Tribal Land Bill unanimously and on Presidential assent was granted on November 11, 1975. The law was published in an extraordinary gazette (No. 673) the same month. Thus, the Kerala Scheduled Tribes (Restriction on transfer of lands and restoration of alienated lands) Act, 1975, came into existence. To ensure preservation of the Act, it was listed in the 9th schedule of amendment 40 of the Constitution of India. This ensured that this law will not be challenged in any court of law in future. This was the realization of a long-cherished dream of the tribal communities and those who fought for tribal rights.

The tribal communities placed their trust on the law and believed that now the ground is set at last for resolution of all their fundamental problems. Proclamation of 20-point national welfare program came on August 5, 1975, during emergency. Among them was the plan to recover and restore tribal land.

Section 2(G) of the Kerala Scheduled Tribes Act prevents all methods of transfer of tribal land, whether verbal, written, mortgage, sale or lease. Section 4 prohibits, from the day the law came into force, transfer of tribal land to anyone outside the tribal community. It also annuls all instances of transfer of ownership to tribal land to persons belonging to other communities with retrospective effect from January 1, 1960, affording tribals opportunity to regain land lost in illegitimate transactions. They only had to complain to the RDO, furnishing details of the land involved. If convinced, the RDO had to initiate steps to redeem and restore the land to the original owner. The timeframe for submission of complaints was 1 year from the date of implementation of the Act or until the date the government declares through gazette.

Tribals had to refund any money reciprocated in lieu of transfer of land and any expenses incurred to the current possessor for cultivation on the property. Government granted this amount as a loan, which in turn had to repaid in 20 equal installments. Section 13 of the law also stipulates any act of misappropriation of tribal land in violation of section 4 liable for rigorous imprisonment for 1 year. Government could institute one more special tribunals for adjudication of such cases. In the event of incidents of infringement upon tribal lands taking place after implementation of the law, it was the duty of the concerned RDO to inform the magistrate or the tribunal for further action.

Apparently an ideal piece of legislation, only if it were implemented earnestly. For any law to be effectual, it is a prerequisite to have rules formed in for its implementation. Emergency was repealed. There were dramatic changes in the political scene and several ministries assumed power at the center and states. However, there was no earnest attempt to implement the law that was constituted back in 1975.

In the interim, a sub-committee of the Kerala Legislative Assembly visited the tribal areas of Wayanad in 1976. They were presented with 298 complaints of misappropriation of tribal land. In 71 of these cases tribals were extorted or driven away from their land by brute force. There were 67 incidents where tribal lands were transferred in return for a trifling. In 14 other cases, tribals were swindled off their land, obliging them to put thumb impression on blank sheets of paper. Another 5 were not paid the money they were promised.

Findings of an investigation made by officials from ITDP, Attappadi, in tribal areas on February 15, 1977, were remarkably similar. Officials discovered that vanthavasis had usurped 10,106.19 acres of tribal land. It is astonishing how the government continues its apathy in implementing tribal land protection law irrespective of these disclosures. Tribal land continued to slip away from their possession. The 10th committee of the 4th legislative assembly demanded implementation of tribal land act within a period of 6 moths.

The Lost Land

Long 11 years after enactment of the law, it was K. Karunakaran ministry of 1986 that formed the rules for implementation of the Act. The rules were published in an extraordinary gazette dated October 18, 1986. Still, the date of implementation of the law was changed to October 10, 1986. The law holds tribal land transfers after 1975 liable for punishment of up to 1 year imprisonment; however, when the rules were formulated, this time period was changed to 1986. The intervening period witnessed the most rampant coordinated misappropriation of tribal habitats. All the transfer of tribal land between January 1, 1960, and January 1, 1982, were considered illegal. To regain this land, tribals had to compensate for all the cultivation or other enhancements on the land done by the current possessor. If the land was sold for money, the amount had to be refunded. Government funded tribals for this buyback by loans repayable over a 20-year term. The tribals were entitled for restoration of ownership of land transferred after 1982 without payment of compensation. RDOs were entrusted the complete responsibility of implementation of this scheme. According to government records, the number of complaints received regarding loss of land were 8,553, involving 11,000 hectares of land. Later, the number of complaints increased to 8879. In Attappadi, the complaints involved 10472.19 acres of land, most of them from Agali, Puthur and Sholayur panchayats. The number of complaints filed in Wayanad was 2,229. More than half of the 8,553 complaints received until 1994 were rejected by RDOs for failure to furnish proof of ownership. The tribals rarely had any documentary evidence to prove ownership of the land accrued to them solely by inheritance. Of the 2,523 complaints in Attappadi, the decision was favourable to the tribals in hardly 13 cases, restoring 44.77 acres of land to tribal possession. It is claimed that so far 496 complaints have been settled, but the number of cases where tribal land was restored is less than 100.

In Attappadi, Irulars lost 8996.1 acres of land, Mudukkars 1083.78 acres and Kurumbars 26 acres. The reason why Kurumbars were not very much affected by invasion of settlers is that their habitation was inner forests, where it was hard to reach. Many of them sold their land at prices ranging from Rs. 20 to Rs. 2400 per acre. It is estimated that investigations were carried out on 1147 cases concerning 3336.16 acres of land in Attappadi. The extent of land involved in each case varies from 2.5 acres to 5 acres. Of this 44.77 acres were restored to tribal possession.

The Legal Battle of Nalla Thambi

Complaints on tribal land had to submitted in a prescribed form specified by the 1986 rules. Resurvey number of the land, extent, name and address of the current possessor of the land were some of the details required to be filled. Needless to say, being largely illiterate, not many tribals could read or write. Any individual interested in tribal welfare could complain on land misappropriation. Verbal complaint before the R.D.O. was another option. It was the responsibility of the RDO to gather necessary details. The rules say that the R.D.O. has the responsibility to depute his subordinate to collate exact information so that a valid complaint can be filed. It is of utmost importance to probe how majority of the complaints from tribals were rejected or put aside despite all these precautionary measures.

The rules insist that no complaint be rejected due to failure to submit necessary details, i.e., the onus of garnering evidence is on the revenue officials. Nevertheless, countless complaints were set aside citing lack of evidence. Unaware of the futility of the process, the complainants remained in hopeful anticipation. Most of them were working on daily wages on their own property. As time went on, the process of land recovery came to a grinding halt. Seeing the plight of the tribal communities, Dr. Nalla Thambi Tera, a physician from Kalpetta in Wayanadu, approached the Kerala High Court in 1988. This case, O.P. number 8879/88, is a milestone in tribal land litigation. Dr. Nalla Thambi demanded that the Kerala Scheduled Tribes Restriction on Transfer and Restoration of Alienated lands Act, 1975, which was passed unanimously, should be implemented. The government’s response was very cold. After a prolonged legal battle, the High Court announced its verdict favouring Dr. Nalla Thambi and the tribals on October 15, 1993. The court ordered effective implementation of the Act within 6 months. Meanwhile, two cases were filed (Bhavani case and Fr. Thomas Kundukadu case) challenging the 1975 act. However, the High Court refused to stand against a law protected under schedule 9 of the Constitution. Additional Advocate General assured the court that the government will spare no effort to implement the verdict of the division bench (1989 (I) KLT SN 37, Case No. 58, 1994 (2) KLT25). Because the ongoing court cases, the state got an additional reprieve of 1-1/2 year to implement the law. Still, the government appealed for an additional reprieve of 1 week. The deadline for implementation of the law was extended by 1-1/2 years. The RDO was instructed to file before the court monthly reports progress in recovery of alienated tribal land. The court ordered that the first declaration, with up-to-date details until December 31, 1995, should be filed on January 15, 1996. A.K. Anthony was the chief minister from March 1995 to May 1996. Finding that no steps were initiated for restoration of alienated tribal land, Dr. Nalla Thambi again approached the court. Again, the government requested more time.

In an order dated March 28, 1996, the court extended the date by a period of 2 months. The court allowed further reprieve taking into account the assurance of the additional advocate general that the law will be implemented at any cost. In the meantime, the UDF government invented an easier route to escape Dr. Nalla Thambi and the court cases, that being promulgation of an ordinance amending the 1975 legislation. The UDF mininstry was near the end of its tenure and election was round the corner. In this situation, Sivasankar, the then governor refused to sign the ordinance pointing out that it was against the election code.

Governor refuses

After the election, leftist government led by E.K.Nayanar came into power. The new ministry was only too eager to complete the process set off by their political rivals. Soon after assuming office, another ordinance was promulgated amending the Kerala Scheduled Tribes Restriction on Transfer and Restoration of Alienated lands Act, 1975. Again, governor intervened diligently. Karnataka governer Khurshi Aalam Khan was holding the additional charge of Kerala at that time. He too refused to sign the ordinance amending the law.

Principal Secretary of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Department filed an affidavit in High Court on August 9, 1996. The gist of that affidavit was this: The government finds it difficult to implement the law in the face of staunch organized resistance from the settlers. Vanthavasis (settlers) attacked the RDO. in Attappadi, who had reached there as part of efforts to recover tribal land. On August 14, 1996, the court issued another order to recover and restore tribal land within 6 weeks in cases where no appeals were filed. The court also instructed the district police authorities to provide protection to all officials engaged in these procedures. Issuing the order, the judge, P.K. Balakrishnan, made the following observations (1996 (2) KLT930): “What is the explanation for not implementing the court’s verdicts? The excuse offered is that there is strong resistance to implementation of law. How can a democracy led by the rule of law subjugate before illegal resistance and abandon a legislation for the benefit of its oppressed sections? Certainly not. Surrender to any such resistance amounts to negation of the rule of law.” Did the government appreciate the undertones of this strong statement? The government appealed before the Full Bench, which stayed the directions issued by the Single Bench. The settler communities had strong political affiliations in both left and right wings. They demanded amendment of the law, which they argued was “impossible to implement.” Settlers had turned into a sizable vote bank in the tribal regions. Fulfilling their wish was the natural inclination of electoral politics.

The bill proposing changes to the Act was tabled on September 23, 1996, exactly a week before the end of reprieve for implementation of the Act. The bill was voted for almost unanimously. An isolated voice of protest rose in the assembly, that of K.R. Gowriyamma. Perhaps, the absolute treachery to the tribals hurt the seasoned communist in her. The bill legitimized all tribal land transactions up to January 24, 1986. The government submitted the Bill to the President of India for his assent. The president K.R. Narayanan, who represented another conscience of Kerala, refused assent. In light of Presidential refusal, the Full Bench of the Kerala High Court vacated its order staying directions of the Single Judge. Again, the government fell in a tight spot. Dr. Nalla Thambi again approached the Court, this time with a plea to implement the court order and to initiate contempt court proceedings against government officials for willful disobedience of court directives. Alienation of the tribal communities is the result of large-scale estrangement of their inherited land. This time of crisis witnessed the rise of the tribal leader C.K. Janu.

The new laws contravened section 3(1), 4, and 5 of the central legislation of 1989 of the act prohibiting atrocities against tribal people. The central legislation decrees any transfer, intrusion, and cultivation of tribal land a punishable offence, liable to for incarceration for 6 months to 5 years.

Legal protection for criminal trespass

In spite of the all these events, the fate of the tribal land protection act continued to remain uncertain. President’s refusal to assent for the law that was passed by Kerala legislative assembly in 1996 came in March 1998. The government again approached the court requesting another reprieve of 6 months on November 21, 1998, which the High Court extended up to January 5, 1999, dismissing vehement protests from Dr. Nalla Thambi. Similar to 1996, the government utilized the extended time to structure another law. The state informed the court that a new legislation could be passed in the next assembly session that starts on January 22, 1999, to find a permanent solution to the issues related to tribal land. The court instructed Dr. Nalla Thambi to remit Rs. 5,000 towards court expenses. The government was unflinching in its stance that a new legislation should be formed amending the 1975 law. The revenue minister K.E. Ismail was entrusted this responsibility. It was determined that alienation of tribal land was not the sole issue involved. The number of landless tribal caste families was estimated to be 11,000. The efforts were for legislation of a new law providing land to landless tribal families without vacating settlers with small holdings. The government contented that the tribals were explained and understood the obstacles in redeeming their alienated land. According to the state, now, the tribals are willing to accept land anywhere in the district in place of their original land.

That is how Tribal Land Law of 1999 came into existence. Despite being titled Restriction of Transfer of Land Act, in essence what it ensures is the conservation of the current status of possession. The law is effective from January 24, 1986. Any transfer of tribal land to a person from other sections after this date stands defunct. Through this change, all illegitimate transactions that took place between January 1, 1960, and January 24, 1986, were legalized. This is an era where large-scale alienation of tribal land took place. Records of Attappadi RDO office show the are of land snatched away from tribals between 1977 and 1986 to be 10742 acres. During 1986-1997, tribals lost another 636 acres.

Settlers were required to return tribal land in excess of 5 acres in their possession. If the land available for restoration to a tribal family is less than 1 acre, it was the responsibility of the government to find additional land to compensate. Legal proceedings in accordance with subsection 2 (B) of section 6 against tribal land grabbers continued. The fact that majority of tribal holdings were less than 5 acres guaranteed that they would not get back even a cent of that. Needless to say, the plight of the tribal remained unchanged. Yet, the state had a lot to gain from the new law – the acclaim of legislation for restoration of tribal habitations, that too even without having to attempt to implement it.

Records show only 230 of the 1147 complaints involve loss of more than 5 acres. That means, the number cases necessitating recovery and restoration of tribal land were just 230. A subsequent Supreme Court judgement mentions 1475 of the 4724 complaints of embezzlement of tribal land to be in involving less than 50 cents, 898 between 50 cents and 1 acre. 904 complainants lost extents varying between 1 to 2 acres. 1974 of the cases were regarding 2 to 5 acres. The number of complaints that involved more than 5 acres was merely 373.

Parched Lands

Section 8 of the law entitles every landless tribal family not less than 1 acre of land in their home district. This clause was not present in the 1975 law. Section 11 stipulates rising of a fund to ensure rehabilitation and welfare of the tribal population. Section 12 details how to tackle misappropriation of tribal land in the period after gazetting of the 1999 law. The law, which dictates rigorous imprisonment up to 1 year for delinquents, in subsection 2 of section 13, also empowers the state to institute one or more special courts to deal with such cases. Finally, section 22 annuls Restoration of Tribal Land Act of 1975. The law mentions only about agricultural use of the alienated tribal land. The law has been very skillfully drafted to evade the necessity of having to obtain Presidential assent. Therefore, agriculture is the only purpose land transferred from tribal ownership can be utilized.

Niyamavedhi of Ernakulam and PUCL, with which Justice T. Chandrashekhara Menon was associated, challenged the new law in public interest petitions OP 25332/99 and 26399/99. Malayora Karshaka Federation joined issue in the petition.

Division Bench of the High Court ruled sections 5 and 6 of the law breach of Constitution. It is impossible for tribal communities expelled and replanted away from their natural habitats to sustain their cultural identity. Listen to the observations made by Justice C.R. Rajan: “It is surprising a democratic government claiming to be striving relentlessly for the advancement of the tribal people could draft a law such an anti-tribal law, negating the protection afforded to them by Constitution.”

The Court held section 22 of the 1999 law repealing the Tribal Land Protection Act, 1975, a transgression of Constitution. The 1975 law is a legislation protected under schedule 9 of the Constitution. On these grounds, the Court ordered restoration of all alienated tribal properties in accordance with the 1975 law. This verdict was made on August 24, 2000. The court also directed to submit the new law for Presidential assent. The state appealed against this verdict in the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the government allotted the tribals land in Sholayar. Objections were raised when this parched land was demarcated for rehabilitation. Allegedly, the land demarcated included forest area. Anyway, the tribals found it difficult to withstand the scorching hot wind in the area and most of them abandoned their new settlements soon after.

The tribals plunged into even more misery. By the middle of 2001, 32 tribals died of starvation and malnutrition. Tribal leader C.K. Janu et al raised this issue. The legislation for protection of tribal land ended up lingering around courts and amendments. C.K. Janu started her remonstration, erecting a hut in front the official residence of the chief minister. She demanded allotment of 5 acres for every landless tribal family. Witness to decades of deceit, tribals had now lost hope of regaining their habitations. They deviated from their original demand and pleaded for 5 acres for each family. They went a step further to claim right for independent rule under schedule 6 of Constitution.

Tribal Mission Comes to a Halt

The venue of the protest was later shifted to the Secretariat. On September 6, 2001, the chief minister, A.K. Anthony, conducted discussions with leaders of Gothramahasabha. The tribals were allotted free ration for 2 months. It was also decided to reserve a sizable percentage of lower rung jobs for the tribals. The government conceded to the tribals’ right for trivial forest resources. The resolutions of the Gothramahasabha meeting on October 3, 2001, were approved. On October 16, 2001, the subcommittee presided by the chief minister held discussions with the protestors. The demand of 5 acres for each landless tribal family was accepted in principle. It was alo decided to make this land allotment applicable to tribal families who had less than an acre in possession as well. Another promise was that cabinet will discuss about to enlist tribal regions in the scheduled zones under article 244 of the Constitution. Since an appeal on the 1999 law was being considered by the Supreme Court, a consensus was reached to implement the law after proclamation of verdict in the case. Another decision was to constitute Tribal Mission, an authoritative body.

The Mission estimated the number of landless tribal families to be 22,491. The number of tribal families with possession of less than 1 acre of land was 30,981. The government was eying on forest land for distribution among these 53,422 families. The state approached the central government requesting release of forest land recovered from private individuals in accordance with the 1971 law. That was not to be, with the existence of Forest Conservation Act of 1980. Was the government ignorant of the law? An enquiry as to the present status of the land registered to tribals at Kilikkoodumala, Marayoor, will be worthwhile. Gradually, the Tribal Mission came to a standstill. Exasperated, the tribals decided to take reins and implement the law and its promises on their own, and that culminated in the Muthanga episode.

Again, there was a change in government. LDF ministry returned power in May 2006. Supreme Court declared verdict on the government’s appeal against the High Court decree repealing the 1999 law. Dr. Nalla Thambi Tera, who dedicated long three decades of his life to fight for the tribals’ right to land, breathed his last on June 16, 2010, at the age of 77.

The Supreme Court Bench consisting of Justice S.B. Sinha and Justice J. Mukundakam Sharma refused to fully concur with the High Court’s stand that the Tribal Land Act of 1999 is against the Constitution. The welfare of the small farmers too is taken care of in this law. At the same time, it also stipulates finding land and rehabilitating the tribal population. The government pointed out that government had the responsibility of providing land to tribals, preserving the substance of the law.

The Supreme Court refused to completely accept section 22 of the new legislation that annuls the 1975 law. The 1999 law deals only with agricultural land. The land alienated from the tribals also includes land that is being utilized for non-agricultural purposes. So, repeal of the 1975 law is only partial. Part of the law continues to be in force, making it mandatory to recover and restore the alienated land to tribals. But, where does we stand?

(Annexure 2)
Land Ownership in Kerala: A Study by Sunny M. Kapikkad

The state of Kerala has won much international acclaim as a developmental model. The concept of Kerala developmental model was proposed in 1970s in response to the argument that the state was in penury based on low per capita income. It was claimed the developmental model brought unprecedented improvement in the quality-of-life index of the state. Statistical data even flaunted that Kerala has already reached the standards of developed nations in the spheres of literacy, life expectancy, infant mortality, health care and sanitation.

The rapid pace of social development that Kerala demonstrated, which no other Indian state could simulate, prompted discussions on how the state could achieve this. The political will and egalitarianism of the leftist movement, which imbibed the Kerala tradition of renaissance, was the catalyst for the developmental model, it was pointed out. The Kerala Land Reforms Act was cited as the most luminous proof of the political will of the leftist movement. This trailblazing act was hailed as a reform that could be emulated by entire India and the other third-world nations. Kerala was eulogized as an idealistic state, which could resolve the issue of landlessness and thereby cast problems to a large extent in a single stroke. Even political doctrines were written to attribute the whole credit of this success to the left movement.

Despite all the commendation, the Kerala developmental model was not beyond criticism. There was a section suspicious of this concept of reform from the very beginning. In the 1990s, even the propagandists of the new developmental model became vocal about its crises. However, all these debates failed to recognize the essential aspect of land ownership in the state. Theoretical rhetoric and Marxist terminologies were cleverly used to refute the vital connection between caste hierarchy and land ownership in the state. Those who wondered at the unbalanced growth of the state’s economy pretended to be oblivious of the caste imprints of modern capital investment. No one has bothered to find out how people belonging to different religions and castes fared within the new developmental model. The methodologies prevalent hindered any such enquiry. No one regarded “caste” as a factor worthy of consideration in deliberations related to economy. Instead, they were plotting sketches centered on classes and regions. The major constraint of this scheme of analysis is its failure to explain some of the most important features of the economic transformation that is taking place in Kerala. For example, why does 90% of the most impoverished in the state comprise of tribals and Dalits? How did 60% of the Christians in Kerala become the most economically advantaged? Is this just a coincidence? It is not hard to reach solid conclusions if we scrutinize the historical link between the state’s economy and its caste system.

It is essential to appraise the history of legislation related to land ownership. It is the story of how the ownership of land came into the hands of individuals from the rulers, who had tight clench on land until the early part of 19th century. The nature of participation of the numerous religious-caste sections in this process is the decisive factor that shaped the characteristics of the state’s economy. It is important to realize that the new laws regulating land ownership were implemented in a society that had stringent unwritten casteist rules in place. A larger view of the social structure of Kerala in the 19th century will elucidate this.

Land ownership in the state was ingrained with caste system. Brahmins were the landlords in Kerala, who held total monopoly over extensive extents of land allotted to them as Brahmaswom (priest’s land) and Devaswom (temple land). The Nair community, which was beneath the priestly class, too had many landlords among them. Vysya, the traditional trader community, was conspicuously absent in the caste system in the state; Christians and Muslims filled that place. A small section of the Ezhava community was tenant farmers. Dalits were left to do bonded agricultural labour. There was absolutely no way a dalit could become a landlord or a Brahmin be a labourer. In such peculiar social circumstances that prevailed, an investigation of the effect of reforms on each stratum of society is imperative.

Legislations prior to formation of the state of Kerala

The state of Kerala was formed by amalgamation of the erstwhile princely states of Malabar, Cochin and Travancore. Each of these states had a different rule governing land ownership. In Travancore, two-thirds of the arable land in the state was under government ownership until the early 19th century. The lease reforms declaration (Pattom Proclamation) of June 2, 1865, bestowed absolute ownership upon those who had leased government land. This reform elevated a large section of the society to the status of land owners. Even though a similar proclamation was made in the State of Cochin, the beneficiaries were very few as the extent of land under government ownership was not so significant.

The situation in Malabar was quite different. With the advent of British rule in 1792, landlords were proclaimed the absolute owners of land. For this reason, the number of tenants in Malabar was much higher. Malabar became the arena of constant strife between landlords and tenants due to this particular pattern of land ownership. That raises a pertinent question - who were the beneficiaries of the land redistribution? Any inquiry in this regard leads to the Christians in Travancore and the Ezhavas, Thiyyas and Muslims in Malabar, who were tenants and became land owners after the reforms. Two notable attempts were made to explain how certain castes turned into landlords and some tenants and labourers – caste-landlord-ruler theory of E.M.S. and the castelandlord study by Ajith, who criticized that E.M.S. failed to perceive the economic repercussions of casteisim by viewing the caste system as a part of the social milieu. Ajith who recognizes the economic reality casteism, puts forth the concept of caste inferiority. He argues that the problem lies in equating economic inferiority with servitude, but it is clear that this argument is an attempt to extricate Marxism. An entire movement was formed capitalizing memory of this state of servitude, which E.M.S. could not recognize while Ajith could, and this is P.R.D.S., founded by Poikayil Appachan.

The ladders of feudal system, with its strata of landlordship, tenancy and serfdom, complemented the caste hierarchy. It was in this setting that the land reforms were implemented. The important goals of the new laws were the following:
1. Ensure that the tenants get permanent ownership of the leased land in which they cultivated.
2. Fix the extent of land a family can hold.
3. Acquire the excess land and redistribute among the landless agricultural labourers.

Starting with the Kerala Agricultural Bill tabled by the EMS government in 1958, after numerous amendments and fall of several ministries, the Land Reforms Act was finally put into operation on January 1, 1970. Under this act, all the rights landlords exercised on their land were revoked, granting them compensation. Tenants became owners of their leased land, paying the land value. 50% of the cost of this acquisition was borne by the government. The extent of land that could be held in possession was determined as 5 standard acres for an individual, 10 standard acres for a 5-member family and 1 additional acre for every additional member thereof. However, estates and trusts were exempted from this rule. Even before the implementation the land reforms, the Agrarian Relations Act was enacted for the benefit of landless labourers, stipulating distribution of 10 cents in panchayats, 5 cents in municipalities, and 3 cents in corporations to each agricultural labourer.

An estimated 15 lakh families received permanent ownership of land with the implementation of land reforms. The fact that majority of these beneficiaries were from the middle class has already been established. The land reforms act had become self-restrictive in its scope due to the exemption of the plantation sector, which amounts to 60% of the agricultural land in the state. In addition, the landlords successfully retained clutch on land by ingenious manipulations in the interim.Statistical data on land allocation proves this.

The government’s estimate in 1958 of acquirable land that will be available redistribution with the implementation of land reforms was 7,20,000 acres. However, the extent of land the state has recovered until this date is only 73,178 acres. The reality that not even 1 lakh acres of the 7.2 lakh acres of excess land could be recovered reveals the dimension of illegitimate transactions that subverted the reforms. Four decades after implementation of the land reforms, it is time to review its consequences. What is the true pattern of land ownership in Kerala now?

According to official reports, there are 12,500 dalit colonies and 4084 tribal colonies in the state. Besides, there are hundreds of thousands who dwell on government properties alongside roads and waterways in the state. All these sections are living testimony of how the much vaunted reforms expelled the tribals and dalits from their inhabitations. This accentuates the importance of scrutinizing the right to claim of the echelons of castes on land. Given below is the data published by Kerala Shastra Sahitya Parishad.

Average extent of land held in possession by households belonging to different castes
Forward castes 5 cents
Backward castes 63 cents
Christians 126 cents
Muslims 77 cents
Scheduled castes 27 cents

What do these figures reveal? Clearly, the ownership of land continues to largely rest with the higher castes even after the implementation of the Land Reformation Act. In the pattern of land ownership, the traditional caste structure still remains mostly unchanged. As we discussed, the imbalance in the pattern of land ownership had a historical derivation. The chronicle of Kerala Land Reforms Act proves that any legislation that disregards social bearings fundamental to issues related to claim on land is destined to fail.

Neither could the land reforms act ensure social justice, nor could it seed resurgence in the agricultural sector. The table of agricultural production in the state pre and post land reforms reveals this.

Crops 1967-68 1979-80
Rice (x1000 tons) 1124 1282
Coconut (in millions) 3593 3184
Tapioca (x1000 tons) 4198 4223
Rubber (x1000 tons) 60 123
Coffee (x1000 tons) 11 36
Tea (x1000 tons) 43 58
(Source: Economic Review 1968, 1980)

These figures demonstrate the remarkably dissimilar effects reforms had on plantation sector, which was exempted from the purview of the Act, and farm crops. The reforms, which should have been a boon to the agrarian segment in the state in fact set off deterioration in the sector, which has increasingly slowed down over the decades. Why did the redistribution of land among the cultivators failed to rejuvenate the agrarian sector? The reason for this drop in production is usually attributed to fragmentation of agricultural land, but the truth lies in the social pattern of land ownership that we discussed.

We saw how the Land Reforms Act brought ownership of land into the hands of middle classes, who were not the ones that toiled on land. Those sections who truly engaged in agrarian activities were deprived ownership of land and ended up being tenants, inhabitants of colonies, or agricultural labourers. In these circumstances, landed property became a capital resource and agriculture lost its precedence. With the new economic environs, newer sources of income opened up before the landless sections and this further aggravated the situation. Deepening the crisis, other sections were unwilling to do agricultural labour, which was traditionally set aside for certain castes. Mechanization brought in the prospect of a reawakening in the farm sector; however, strong resistance from labour movements obliterated such moves, pushing the agricultural sector into total disarray.

What is the present general situation in Kerala? In a state where the number of landless households exceeds hundreds of thousands, private conglomerates including multinationals continue to retain freehold over several lakh acres of agricultural land under outdated lease agreements. Millions of acres of arable land lie uncultivated while the state depends on its neighbors for essential commodities. In a place where there is acute shortage of farm hands, a single harvesting machine is reason enough for a labour agitation. To find out a solution to these issues, it is crucial to analyze the socioeconomic component of land ownership.

The agricultural land accumulated by conglomerates has to be reclaimed and redistributed. One of the basic goals of this redistribution should be to put right the caste imbalance in land ownership. The stress has to be on modern agricultural practices, ensuring equitable land ownership rather than conservation of agricultural occupations. It is time to turn to eco-friendly agricultural practices, abandoning perverted illusions of green revolution and genetic seeds. Defeat all the schemes to keep men slaves rolling in sludge; employ mechanization wherever essential. Let the vision and ethics of a new social order guide us.

2011-01-21T02:27:00.000-08:00

“Governments should talk to non-violent groups”

2011-01-19T08:21:00.000-08:00

“Governments should talk to non-violent groups”
S. Annamalai
http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/17/stories/2011011762310300.htm

P.V. Rajagopal.

MADURAI: Governments across the world should talk to non-violent groups to resolve social conflicts. On the contrary, they were willing to negotiate with people who took to guns, said P. V. Rajagopal, leader of Ekta Parishad, a people's organisation.

Speaking on the sidelines of a working committee meeting at the Centre for Experiencing Socio-Cultural Interaction (CESCI) at Kadavoor village near here, Mr. Rajagopal regretted that there were no takers for non-violence and violence had become a “highly paying business.” The problem today of the marginalised people, especially those living in Chattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa, was acute as the space had been occupied by multinational companies on the one side and violent groups on the other. People were getting killed in the crossfire between private armed groups and government forces. “Industrial houses are making the best use of this conflict” and a huge exploitation of minerals was going on under the cover of “conflict zone,” he said.

Any person opposing the development model of the day was equated with a “Maoist” and it tantamount to opposing the government, the nation and the party in power. The time had come now for social movements to put their foot down and articulate views non-violently to get back people's rights. With the objective of protecting the livelihood resources of the poor, which had been grabbed by MNCs and national institutions, the Ekta Parishad would launch ‘Jansatyagraha 2012' with a rally from Kanyakumari to Gwalior, beginning on October 2, 2011. From Gwalior, Gandhian volunteers, joined by farmers and peasants, would undertake a “do or die march” towards Raj Ghat.

They would reach Raj Ghat on November 3, 2012, seeking action against grabbing of resources.

Mr. Rajagopal said that they wanted to prove that non-violence would still work in a highly violent state. The march was an attempt to protect the resources, he said and wondered why the government was reluctant to negotiate with those who followed Gandhian principles.

He recalled that successive Prime Ministers, starting from Jawaharlal Nehru, used to consult leaders like Acharya Vinobha Bhave.

http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/17/stories/2011011762310300.htm

Recommendations to the State and Central Governments.

2011-01-19T08:09:00.000-08:00

Recommendations to the State and Central Governments.
1. Tribal’s and land rights
• Implementation of Forest Rights Act (FRA 2006): The Forest Rights Act should be translated into regional languages and circulated among tribal communities. Since this act is recognizing the traditional forest rights of tribal’s, the necessary awareness programmes should be organized for tribal communities, government officials and to the general community.
• A civil society monitoring group has to be constituted to see to what extent, the Forest Rights Act is being implemented
• As per the Forest Land Rights act of 2006, from those who own more than 10 acres of land, the government should take back the surplus land that is over the 10 acre limit and distributes it to landless tribals immediately.
• To solve the land problems of tribals, constitute a task force like that of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
• Stop putting the label of extremist group to those who working for the development of tribal’s and dalits
• Put an end to the exploitation of mineral deposits and the underground deposits of forest land in the name of mining
• Stop forceful evictions of the tribal’s in the name of development schemes as per the Forest Rights Act of 2006.
• Stop the purchase of tribal lands by non tribal’s
• Provide 50% of employment opportunities to the tribals in forest sanctuary work and forest department work
• Implement the recommendation of National land Reforms committee.
2. Dalits and Land Rights
• To implement immediately, the land reformation act of 1950
• The tenancy land owner’s right act should be implemented
• The rulers, politicians and upper caste people have unlawfully taken over 12 lakh acres of panchami land. Those land should be restored immediately and distribute to Dalits.
• To publish a white report on present status of panchami land, In order to restore the dalit lands, Proper implementation in the SC/ST atrocities Act
• To take the temple lands, trust lands and the unused lands by government and distribute to landless dalit labours for lease
• To give equal share of the revenue coming from common lands and common resources of the villages to Dalits
• To issue land Patta to the landless Dalits and housing to those who have lived for many years on government lands
• In the budget allotted by THATCO, SC/ST commissions should spend their money only for development of SC/ST. The budget allocations, under special component plan, should be used only for Dalits welfare

3. Land encroachment in the name of industrialization and development projects
• Stop giving agricultural lands used by the farmers for the purpose of development projects and industrialization
• Stop special economic zones for the following reasons :
a. Free electricity supply,
b. Waste disposal to the river basin which pollute the drinking water
c. No entry of trade union
d. Tax exemption
e. Fertile lands to be converted as industries and corporate sectors.
• Stop destruction of livelihood resources, water sources and forceful eviction of people’s settlement in the name of implementing development projects.
• Implement the act of stopping the conversion of agricultural land into metro development SEZ, Urbanization, real-estate housing societies, and take action against those who violate the act
4. Non implemented land reformation Acts
• Modify the act of 1950 to ensure downtrodden & poor gain benefits.
• Bring appropriate amendments and changes in below listed Laws and Acts so that marginalized people get benefit.
a. Tenancy act
b. Land ceiling act
• Most of the current welfare and development acts are more favorable for land owners, ruling class and for the upper caste people. Pass new legislation that benefits marginalized sections.
5. Land crabbing by mafias
• The dwelling places of marginalized people are used for the construction of star hotels, title/Tidal Park, resorts etc with the support of political parties, mafia and antisocial elements. Government should takes steps to put an end to such practices
• In the name of employment opportunities, agricultural lands are being given to multinational companies and corporate sectors. Conversion of fertile lands to corporate sectors & industries is to be stopped.
6. Land rights of women
• Implement the act of 2005 for giving equal rights to women in land ownership
• Ensure women rights over community land
• Land entitlements to be given jointly to husband and wife and insist that both spouses name should be incorporated at the time of land registration
• If the above said demands are not implemented immediately to protect the rights of tribals and Dalits, we will organize the affected people together and conduct in-definite strike in the front of all district collectorates, secretariats and Indian parliament house.

Report of the State Level Consultation on Land and Livelihood Rights to Dalits and Tribals in Tamilnadu, held at CESCI Madurai, on the 8th November 20

2011-01-19T08:04:00.000-08:00

Report of the State Level Consultation on
Land and Livelihood Rights to Dalits and Tribals in
Tamilnadu, held at CESCI Madurai, on the 8th November 2010.
Introduction:
A state consultation on land and livelihood rights of Tribal’s and Dalits was organized jointly by ACTION AID Chennai, EKTA PARISHAD and RISE TRUST, Chennai at CESCI Madurai, on 8th November 2010. There were 71 participants from 22 districts of Tamilnadu and 2 districts of Pondichery participated in this consultation. The program began with a symbolic action of contributing a handful of rice and some money in a mud pot (hundi) in support to Janasatyagraha 2012.
Mr. A.Vinoth welcomed the gathering and Dr.S..N Subbarao ji, an eminent Gandhian and Director NYP (National youth Project) inaugurated the consultation. In his inaugural speech he made it clear that, we social workers have to commit ourselves to our cause, and need to strive to create a better society that has decentralized leadership and greater participation of women in decision making process. He also insisted that we follow the Gandhian way of leadership in all our struggles for creating a just society.
The National President of Ekta Parishad Shri.. P.V.Rajagopal, Mr.Subharao ji, a senior Gandhian leader, Mrs. Jill Carr Harris, advocacy activist, Rev.Y.David, PEAL Madurai and Mr.A.Vinoth General Secretary, Adi Tamilar Liberation Movement, participated in this consultation. They had given their valuable inputs on land and livelihood rights, climate change, food security, and the need of changes in Government policies.
Rajaji, explained the need of Janasatyagraha 2012 action and the efforts towards organizing it. He also explained the link between lack of control over livelihood resources like land, water and forest and poverty in India, and called the attention of the group to three important areas where we need immediate action.
1. Poor implementation of Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006
2. Non-implementation of National Land Reform Council’s recommendations
3. Speedy & effective implementation of anti poor laws such as Land Acquisition act for SEZ, Mines and Minerals act implementation in adivasi areas, National Agricultural act, Tiger sanctuaries etc.
He also insisted that we pressurize the central government to implement the pro poor laws through non-violent social actions. Ekta Parishad has started to pressurize the central government through nationwide active nonviolence struggles since the year 2009. It has yielded some good result such as formation of land reform council and enactment of FRA 2006. Though the act and implementation mechanism are in place, it is not sufficient in contemporary political and economic context. Therefore Ekta Parishad (EP) called for a nationwide action to pressurize the central government to implement the land related laws effectively. These nationwide actions are now culminating in a big struggle in the name of Janastayagraha 2012 in which 1 lakh satyagrahi’s from all over India and international participants will participate in a foot march from Gwalior to Delhi.
Conducting JS 2012 is not a one time activity. It is an ongoing struggle of marginalized people such as Dalits, Adivasis and other deprived communities. JS 2012 comprises three level of actions. First level of action is mobilization of satyagrahi’s and creation of mass opinion towards JS 2012. The second level of action is to carry out non-violent actions district level in all states- before and during the time of JS 2012. Third level of action is to take part in JS 2012 peace march from Gwalior to New Delhi that starts from October 2nd, 2012. These three levels of actions will create a platform in each state to build a peoples movement in their respective states.
Rajaji explained the mobilization structure planned for the JS 2012 action and based on the model, the group went for the group discussion for state mobilization for JS 2012. End of the group discussion state level plan were presented
To organize a people’ movement of such a scale, a four level leadership structure has been developed. At the top of this leadership structure are the camp leaders or shivir nayaks who are responsible for mobilizing 5000 people. They will do this by supporting, training and managing 10 second level leaders called group leaders or dal nayaks. The dal nayaks will be responsible for training, supporting and managing 10 third level leaders called section leaders or jatta nayaks. The jatta nayaks will take the responsibility of training, supporting and managing 5 fourth level leaders called village leaders or dasta nayaks. The dasta nayaks will take the responsibility of mobilizing and managing 10 satyagrahis from their villages.
Group Discussion and Presentation
The group was asked to share their experiences, problems, needs, challenges and concerns tribal’s and Dalits in the areas they work. Seven sector wise groups were formed to disuse issues and problems. The group reports were presented in a plenary session.
1. Land issues of tribal’s

There are approximately 6,51,321 adivasis are living in 18 districts, 36 settlements in the state of Tamil Nadu. The tribal community constitutes 0.85% of the total population in Tamilnadu. Their livelihood resources are impacted by development projects like formation of special economic zones (SEZ), tourism development, wild animal’s sanctuary, hydro projects, mining industries, factories and other projects. When these projects are implemented the native tribals are forcibly sent out of their habitations.

Proposed actions:
Proper Implementation of FRA; Forest Rights Act of 2006 was implemented since 1.1.2008. According to this act, traditional Gram Sabah meetings should be conducted and tribals should not be sent out from the places of their dwellings. All three provisions of act have to be implemented. The following actions are proposed:
 Divisional monitoring term, district monitoring team and state level monitoring team should be formulated to help tribals
 Adivasis should be educated about Schedule A- about forest rights form
 Adivasis should be educated about Schedule B- about social rights form
As per sub clause, section A and bylaws, Govt has to give 4 hectares (10 acres) of land for their use, government order 1 to 35 should be implemented without fail. From those who own more than 10 acres of land, Govt has to take over the lands over 10 acres and redistributed to other landless Advasis’s family’s.
2. Land issues of Dalits
Land issues of dalits are very serious in the state of Tamilnadu. 20% of populations are Dalits. 70% of Dalits are landless and homeless. Dalit families were forcefully evicted by the government in the name of development. The Panchami land records was not properly maintained by the Revenue department. Tittle owner of dalits not having possession on Panchami Lands so called Deland (depressed class land) Out of 12 lakhs acres of D.C land distributed to Dalits by British government, now Dalits possess only 2 lakh acres of land. The required documents about panchami land are also not with the government. During boomidhan movement of Vinobhave, the land that was acquired is currently not in government’s possession. The government of Tamil Nadu did not distribute the promised 2 acres of lands to the landless Dalits. Dalits have been living on government lands without pattas. This means that they have no ownership, are susceptible to exploitation and are akin to living in no man’s lands. In spite of their repeated request, housing Patta was not given. In Tamilnadu capital city Chennai, dalits are forcely thrown out by evitictions.
Proposed actions:
• In every Taluk office, the details of D.C land dalits should be notified at the notice board.
• Restored DC land from non-dalits and to distribution of all Panchami lands to dalit families.
• The porampoke (Govt) land and the unused lands should be distributed to Dalits. Cultivation with irrigation facility to give priority on …. Land scheme and
• 2 acres land has to distribute to the landless agricultural laborers among dalit community.
• The statistics of 12 lakhs acres of Panchami land shoud be released and distribute to the dalits.
• The forest land, revenue land, Panchami (D.C.land), waste land, Trust land, community land , government land and similar other lands that are encroached should be redeemed and distributed to Dalits.
• DC lands are restored and to be canceled the registration, as per the conditions of DC Lands.
• To be appoint a Justice commission for enquired on DC lands
• Under special component plan, land should be distributed to Dalits, and allocation of SCP money fully used for the welfare and development of SC/ST community. Should not to be diverted to other Govt. schemes.
3. Land grabbing & Encroachment in the name of development plans and industrialization
The multinational companies, corporate sectors and the government for some development plans have been forcefully encroaching, lands, lakes (water sources) and the seashores. Due to this, national resources, environment and the forest species are severely affected. People’s dwelling places are snatched, they are evicted forcefully and their lands were taken back by government. Due compensation as per the market rate was also not given.
 New legislations have to enacted to prevent such encroachments
 To be get concert from the community before the Govt. scheme are being implemented.
 People should be consulted when such development plans are being planned
 Government should not give license to start new industries for the next 25 years in Agri land.
 Under existing laws, government can ignore laws that obstruct acquisition of land for certain development plans. Land acquired through such a provision should be given back to the community and these provisions have to be cancelled.

4. Non implemented land reformation legislation

A number of land reformation legislation have been formulated but they are not been properly implemented by government. These acts should be implemented immediately
5. Land encroachment of Mafia group
Natural resources like sand, granites and mineral deposits are being encroached unlawfully by groups like lorry companies, politicians, real estate promoters, tourism companies, hotel groups and land smugglers. They should be stopped. Government has to protect such natural resources and fertile lands.
6. Women and land rights
Land rights to around 50% of women are being denied. 50% of the family property should be in the name of women. Under free land distribution scheme, the allotted lands should be in the joint names of both husband and wife.
Women farmers should be recognized by government and they should be given priorities for agricultural development program.
Priority should be given to widows and destitute women in the context of land distribution, schemes.
The rain fed lands cultivated by the women should be provided irrigation facilities
On the context of land registration in the name of woman, subsidiary has to be provided by the government.

Maja Koene Social Journalist, Social Activist, Peace Award 2010

2010-11-24T23:50:00.000-08:00

MAJA K0ENE
SOCIAL JOURNALIST AWARD 2010

Conferred on 29th November 2010
By CESCI Foundation India and Switzerland

Mr. Rajendra Prasad
Social Journalist, Cochin, Kerala

Mr. Rajendra Prasad has been mobilizing adivasis and dalit communities in Kerala for more than a decade. As a socially engaged journalist, he sought to give voice to the voiceless, and he started a monthly journal, Gothrabhoomi, that describes the struggles of marginalized people. Gothrabhoomi gives to the people themselves, information that directly relates to their lives, and celebrates the positive character of their community and social life.

In appreciation of his contribution to the larger development of the society, We CESCI (Centre for Experiencing Socio-Cultural Interaction) is happy to confer the Maja Koene Journalist Award for the year 2010 on Mr. Rajendra Prasad for his achievement in making journalism a tool for positive transformation of the society and wish him a very bright future.

Mr. Laxmi Narayan Awadhiya
Social Journalist, Dindori, Madhya Pradesh

Mr. Laxmi Narayan Awadhiya has been an outstanding grassroots social journalist fighting for the rights of the marginalized tribal community, namely, the Baigas of eastern Madhya Pradesh for many years with his writing capacity. As the Baiga adivasis are a forest dwelling community, facing extinction, the work of Laxmi Narayan Awadhiya as a social journalist is of stellar proportions as he is bringing forward their claims to forestland rights. As a reporter he used his skills to the empowerment of deprived community.

In appreciation of his contribution to the larger development of the society, We CESCI (Centre for Experiencing Socio-Cultural Interaction) is happy to confer the Maja Koene Journalist Award for the year 2010 on Mr. Laxmi Narayan Awadhiya for his achievement in making journalism a tool for positive transformation of the society and wish him a very bright future.

MAJA K0ENE
SOCIAL activist AWARD 2010

Conferred on 29th November 2010
By CESCI Foundation India and Switzerland

Mr. A. Vinoth
Social Activist, Chennai, Tamilnadu

Mr. Vinoth has exemplified exceptional leadership in his work with the Dalit community in Tamilnadu over two decades, particularly through the work of Adi Tamilar Viduthalai Iyakkam. He has made a unique contribution to the Dalit and other marginalized communities by bringing them together to address the larger issue of social exclusion and discrimination in the society.

In appreciation of his contribution to the larger development of the people, We CESCI (Centre for Experiencing Socio-Cultural Interaction) take this opportunity to confer the Maja Koene Social Activist Award on Mr. A. Vinoth for the year 2010 as a token of our appreciation and wish him many success in the coming years.

Mr. Mr. Lalit Sharma
Social activist, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh

Mr. Lalit Sharma has been unique social activist in his efforts to network with different groups in Uttar Pradesh around poverty and landlessness. In particular, his efforts during the Janadesh March of 2007, Lalit Sharma brought together many middle class communities, including youth to support and join the struggle of the march, and as a result he made a contribution to the landless poor achieving limited land reform.

In appreciation of his contribution to the larger development of the society, We CESCI (Centre for Experiencing Socio-Cultural Interaction) is happy to confer the Maja Koene Social Activist Award for the year 2010 on Mr. Lalit Sharma and wish him many success in the coming years.

Mr.Nanhu Baiga
Social Activist, Dindori, Madhya Pradesh

Mr. Nanhu Baiga is an active social worker from the State of Madhya Pradesh. He was responsible for mobilization of large number of adivasis around various social and economic issues affecting the life of adivasis. Mr. Nanhu Baiga has formed many village level groups and has empowered them to address problems from local to the state level. Mr. Nanhu Baiga deserves full appreciation for his hard work for the last many years for inspiring local peoples not only to understand their problems but also to solve the same through their own efforts. He is now leading a large Baiga adivasi movement for protecting their land and food security.

We CESCI (Centre for Experiencing Socio-Cultural Interaction) is happy to confer the Maja Koene Social Activist Award for the year 2010 on Mr. Nanhu Baiga and wish him many success in the coming years.

MAJA K0ENE
Peace AWARD 2010

Conferred on 29th November 2010
By CESCI Foundation India and Switzerland

Mr. Paul Schwartzentruber

Mr. Paul Schwartzentruber (Paulbhai) has made a substantial contribution to promoting peace and non-violence both in Canada, his home country, and in India. Trained in theology, Paul came to India to work on inter-religious dialogue, and in his search to bring different communities together; he has enlarged his role to becoming a spokesperson for global peace education, with a strong connection to the non-violence practiced at the grassroots in India. He is actively engaged in getting the message out via facebook, blogs and website communication.

In recognition of his valuable work in the field of peace and nonviolence, CESCI (Centre for Experiencing Socio-Cultural Interaction) is happy to confer the Maja Koene Peace Award 2010 on Mr. Paul Schwartzentruber and wish him all the best in his efforts to spread peace and nonviolence around the world.

Dr. Margrit Hugentobler
President, CESCI, Switzerland

Dr. S.N. Subba Rao
President, CESCI, India

Shri. P.V. Rajagopal
Secretary, CESCI, India

Indigenouse land struggle of Paliyan adivasi in Theni dt of tamilnadu -reg, By. Mr.Marirajan.T

2010-11-24T23:41:00.000-08:00

All of us we know that FRA 2006 is not bearing any fruits in Tamilnadu for the sake of court case against the same.

45 families Paliyan adivais of Pulichimandurai, Bodi agamalai hills in Theni district of Tamilnadu wants to occupy the land under FRA 2006 allotted for them two years before which was encroached by forest department. They were planted the 7 saplings of Bee Nari tree and take possession of the land during last year. The land allotted to Paliyan is adjacent to forest boundary. Presently the paliyan adivais families lived in scatted manner in near by agri & horticulture farms as wage labourer under bonded system for 20kg of PDS rice and Rs. 500 per month.

The continouse educational and capacity building process initiated by young adivasis activist & Coordinator of CAFAT Mr.Dhanaraj and Mr.Raja, Director of ARUDECS, a member group of CAFAT who working among paliyan tribes in Bodi area. The result of the 4 years work yield some result by emergence of paliyan leadership among the community. The village leaders of the community continuously discus with their community to broke the bonded system with the support traditional and customary rights ensured under FRA 2006. A separte informal meeting was held at Madurai on 6th November for occupying housing land in Karakaddu, a foot hills bodi agamalai hills and its consequences was disused deeply by the leaders of Paliyan.

On early morning of 8th November, 24 families were moved to Karakaddu site and to build the huts. Around 11'o clock, the forest officials came and try evict the people by using muscle power. Leaders of Paliyan were opposed the move. All the families of Paliyans were ready to cooperate with forest officials if arrested legally with their cattle and other small animals. A three hour dialogue was gone both parties. Finally the Paliyan leaders asked forest dept officials to initiate dialogue with Mr.Dhanraj though he was in Madurai at PEAL office.

On behalf of Forest dept Ranger of Agamalai hills spoke to Mr. Dhanaraj over by phone. He explained the land related facts and provision given in FRA 2006 to Ranger. Finally they came to a conclusion of keeping the 7 Bee Nari plants as its in the site and the forest department never make evict which was also conveyed to DFO of theni by the officials. Paliyan adivaisis also offered a suggestion to forest dept, if they give fruit bearing trees in coming rainy sesson, they will ready to plant in the backyard of their huts. The forest official return back from the site around 2 clock when people joy and thanked effort made by leaders of Paliyan and Dhanaraj.

After that we both Paliyan adivasi leaders and activist team of CAFAT decided to expose the above said issue and the non implementation of FRA in Tamilnadu when Chief Minister of Tamilnadu visiting to Madurai for his grand son marriage on 18th of this month.

We spoke to Hindu, a national daily team in Madurai to cover the situation of Paliyan adivasis and their struggle for seeking CM personal attention during his visit to Madurai. Hindu press team visited Pulichimandurai (Sarakkadu) area and spoke to paliyan on 15th. It was finally published today in Tamilnadu column page which CM read regularly. Now we waiting for further actions both Patta issue at local and FRA at state level from higher official who are not taking any fruitful steps to implement the act so for.

Here is the link for your reading and referecne - http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/18/stories/2010111863840500.htm . I am also attaching the news clipping in PDF form.

With best wishes and Solidarity

T.Marirajan
State coordinator - JASuL
No;1, 3rd St, Maruthupandiya nagar,
Narimedu, Madurai - 02, TN, India
Ph: 09442524545
E.Mail:jasul.tn@gmail.com,tmarirajan@gmail.com

ON THE WARPATH:The families of Paliyar tribe at Serakkadu near Bodinaickanur in Theni district.

2010-11-24T23:33:00.001-08:00

ON THE WARPATH:The families of Paliyar tribe at Serakkadu near Bodinaickanur in Theni district.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/18/stories/2010111863840500.htm

MADURAI: Twenty-eight families belonging to the Paliyar tribe (Scheduled Tribe) at Serakkadu, 10 km from Bodinaickanur in Theni district, have intensified the fight for their rights by erecting hutments and claiming land title on lands surveyed for them.

The 28 families, which have been protesting for more than two years for title deeds, finally decided on Sunday (November 7) to erect huts and settled down on the foothills.

Officials of the Forest Department, Bodi Range, have threatened to remove the huts but the adivasis have asserted that the hutments were erected on revenue land, which was supposed to be distributed to them under the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers Recognition of Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006.

The Paliyars, originally a nomadic hunter-gatherer tribe found here, settled down a few decades ago. The adivasi families in Serakkadu work as ‘serfs' in the large mango plantations mostly for a meagre sum of Rs.100 and a maximum of Rs.1,000. In most cases the payment is made in kind rather than cash and includes 10 or 15 kg of ration rice.

R. Karuppayi (40), who has worked for long in the plantations, said on Tuesday, “In most cases we have to work as families but still we will be paid wages equivalent to that of an individual.” A few members still go into the forests to make use of the common property resources available for tribals, like honey, twigs and fruits.

Whenever they demand more payment or come out with any grievance, the adivasis are threatened that they would be evicted. R. Paliyaraj said that the threat of eviction was an every day reality in their lives and there were times that almost all families were evicted more than once. The Paliyars here do not come under the ambit of citizenship as they have no proof. None among them has cast a vote till now and, after a long struggle, a few families were given ration cards over the last 6 months. There is no one in the tribe who has crossed primary education.

All they claim is a piece of land, concrete houses, drinking water and a balwadi for the children. G. Dhanraj, tribal rights activist, who was instrumental in organising the Paliyars, said that even though there were numerous laws to ensure the rights of adivasis, the State was not interested in implementing them.

Burying the dead

The most disturbing thing about the Paliyars here is the fact that they have no place to bury the dead. For long they have been burying the dead in a place called ‘Kozhi Koodu,' which is four km away from where they dwell. In the middle of a small mound there is a large cave and it is where they bury the dead.

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Adivasi Land Rights Movement (ALRM) Work Plan for 2010 to 2011

2010-11-24T23:26:00.000-08:00

WORK PLAN FOR PROMOTING & STRENGTHENING OF ADIVASI LAND RIGHTS MOVEMENT (ALRM) IN TAMILNADU TO IMPLEMENT FOREST RIGHTS ACT 2006 UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF EKTA PARISAD – TAMILNADU
Adivasi Land Rights Movement (ALRM) Work Plan for 2010 to 2011
Context of ALRM:
1.1.0 Introduction:
1.1.1 The 90 million people belonging to "Scheduled Tribes" in India are generally considered to be 'Adivasis', literally meaning 'indigenous people' or 'original inhabitants', though the term 'Scheduled Tribes' (STs) is not coterminous with the term 'Adivasis'. Scheduled Tribes is an administrative term used for purposes of 'administering' certain specific constitutional privileges, protection and benefits for specific sections of peoples considered historically disadvantaged and 'backward'.
1.1.2 However, this administrative term does not exactly match all the peoples called 'Adivasis'. Out of the 5653 distinct communities in India, 635 are considered to be 'tribes' or 'Adivasis'.

1.1.3 For practical purposes, the United Nations and multilateral agencies generally consider the STs as 'indigenous peoples'. With the ST population making up 8.10% (as of 2001 Census) of the total population of India, it is the nation with the highest concentration of ‘indigenous peoples’ in the world!
1.2.0 Understanding Adivasis in India:
1.2.1 Back in history, the Adivasis were in effect self-governing 'first nations'. In general and in most parts of the pre-colonial period, they were nationally part of the 'unknown frontier' of the respective states where the rule of the reign in fact did not extend, and the Adivasis governed themselves outside of the influence of the particular ruler.
1.2.2 Historically the Adivasis, as explained earlier, are at best perceived as sub-humans to be kept in isolation, or as 'primitives' living in remote and backward regions who should be "civilized". None of them have a rational basis. Consequently, the official and popular perception of Adivasis is merely that of isolation in forest, tribal dialect, animism, primitive occupation, carnivorous diet, naked or semi-naked, nomadic habits, love, drink and dance. Contrast this with the self-perception of Adivasis as casteless, classless and egalitarian in nature, community-based economic systems, symbiotic with nature, democratic according to the demands of the times, accommodative history and people-oriented art and literature.
1.2.3 The significance of their sustainable subsistence economy in the midst of a profit oriented economy is not recognized in the political discourse, and the negative stereotyping of the sustainable subsistence economy of Adivasi societies is based on the wrong premise that the production of surplus is more progressive than the process of social reproduction in co-existence with nature.
1.2.4 The source of the conflicts arises from these unresolved contradictions. With globalisation, the hitherto expropriation of rights as an outcome of development has developed into expropriation of rights as a precondition for development. In response, the struggles for the rights of the Adivasis have moved towards the struggles for power and a redefinition of the contours of state, governance and progress.
1.2.5 A process of marginalization today, the total forest cover in India is reported to be 765.21 thousand sq. kms. of which 71% are Adivasis areas. Of these 416.52 sq. kms are declared as Wild Life Sanctuaries and 223.30 thousand sq. kms. are categorised as reserved and protected forests respectively. About 23% of these are further declared as Wild Life Sanctuaries and National Parks which alone has displaced some half a million Adivasis. By the process of colonisation of the forests that began formally with the Forest Act of 1864 and finally the Indian Forest Act of 1927, the rights of Adivasis were reduced to mere privileges conferred by the state.
1.3.0: Understand about Tamilnadu state:
Tamil Nadu State has a population of 62,405,679 as per Census 2001 and covers an area of 130,058 sq.kms. Chennai (formerly known as Madras) is the State Headquarters. The administrative units of the State are:

No of District 32
No of Revenue Divisions 76
No of Taluks 220
No of Firkas 1,127
No of Revenue Villages 16,564
No of Municipal Corporations 10
No of Municipalities 148
No of Panchayat Unions (Blocks) 385
No of Town Panchayats 561
No of Village Panchayats 12,618
No of Lok Sabha Constituencies 39
No of Assembly Constituencies 234
1.4. Understanding Adivasis in Tamilnadu
1.4.1. Of the 300 million indigenous peoples in the world, 100 million live in India constituting 10 % of the total population of the country. There are 6,51,321 Adivasis living in Tamilnadu, 48.97% being women and 51.03% men, constituting 1.03% of the Tamilnadu population. In term of Adivasi population, Tamilnadu ranks 16th in the country, being home to 0.85% of the national Adivasi population. Adivasis communities in Tamil Nadu are largely concentrated in 18 districts namely Vellore, Villupuram, Nammakkal, Salem, Tiruvannamalai, Trichi, Dharmapuri, Coimbatore, Erodu, Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Tiruvallaur, Krishanakiri, Kanniyakumari, Nilgiris, Kanchipuram and many adivasis groups have been displaced to the plains.
District-wise population of Scheduled Tribes in Tamil Nadu Census 2001)
Sl. No District Total
Population Scheduled Tribes % of
District Total
Rural Urban Total
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1 Chennai 4,343,645 - 6,728 6,728 0.15
2 Kancheepuram 2,877,468 18,062 8,446 26,508 0.92
3 Tiruvallur 2,754,756 28,885 8,973 37,858 1.37
4 Cuddalore 2,285,395 7,241 4,532 11,773 0.52
5 Villupuram 2960373 61,687 2,233 63,920 2.16
6 Vellore 3,477,317 58,237 4,803 63,040 1.81
7 Tiruvannamalai 2,186,125 69,198 3,562 72,760 3.33
8 Salem 3,016,346 98,722 5,199 103,921 3.45
9 Namakkal 1,493,462 50,454 962 51,416 3.44
10 Dharmapuri 2,856,300 57,763 1,786 59,549 2.08
11 Erode 2,581,500 15,120 2,573 17,693 0.69
12 Coimbatore 4,271,856 19,559 9,544 29,103 0.68
13 The Nilgiris 762,141 19,600 8,773 28,373 3.72
14 Tiruchirapalli 2,418,366 14,383 4,529 18,912 0.78
15 Karur 935,686 1,075 375 1,450 0.15
16 Perambalur 1189170 10675 1161 11836 1.90
17 Pudukkottai 1,459,601 432 360 792 0.05
18 Thanjavur 2,216,138 1,302 2,339 3,641 0.16
19 Nagapattinam 1,488,839 1,618 1,802 3,420 0.23
20 Tiruvarur 1,169,474 971 1,702 2,673 0.23
21 Madurai 2,578,201 2,054 3,918 5,972 0.23
22 Theni 1,093,950 1,046 640 1,686 0.15
23 Dindigul 1,923,014 3,512 2,972 6,484 0.34
24 Ramanathapuram 1,187,604 396 682 1,078 0.09
25 Virudhunagar 1,751,301 953 1,404 2,357 0.13
26 Sivagangai 1,155,356 375 708 1,083 0.09
27 Tirunelveli 2,723,988 3,202 5,156 8,358 0.31
28 Thoothukudi 1,572,273 1,060 2,434 3,494 0.22
29 Kanniyakumari 1,676,034 3,561 1,882 5,443 0.32
STATE 62,405,679 551,143 100,178 651,321 1.04
Source : DCS, 2003
1.4.2. The Central government has listed 36 Adivasi communities residing in Tamilnadu, of which 14 numerically dominant groups form 96.33% of the state’s Adivasi population. Only two communities, namely the Malayalis and Irulars, have a population size exceeding 100,000 persons and together from 68.88% of the total state Adivasi population. Three communities, namely the Kattunayakans, Kondareddies and Kurumans have a population exceeding 10,000 persons; nine communities have population between 3,000 to 10,000 persons, and 22 communities are classified as small populations of 2000 persons or less, with 16 communities numbering less than 1,000 persons each and five less than 100 persons.
Tribal Population in Tamilnadu and their Eco Region based Habitations
Adivasi community Habitat with District and its Eco region or mountain Population
1. Adiyan Tamilnadu area near Kerala border, wayanadu and Kannur district of Kerala and Kudagu district of Karnataka 2230
2. Aranadan Tamilnadu area near Kerala border and Kerala 44
3. Irular Nilkiri Irular: Anaimalai, Maruthamalai, Siruvani, Mettupalayam, Irular in Plain: Ganjipuram, Vellore, Chengalpattu, Selam, Dharmapuri, THiruvannamalai and Villupuram districts 155606
4. Ooralai Ellakkai Malai, Mukkudal area which Kerala, Karanataka and Tamilnadu hills areas were connected. Especially Sathiyamanagalam, Thiruvithangoor, and Kochin areas 9116
5. Eravalan Pollachi and Udumalaipettai taluks of Kovai dt, Kanyakumari, Thirunelveli district in scattered nature 1554
6. Kaniyan Most of the people living in Kanyakumari dt, Thirunelveli, Covai to Chennai were in scattered nature 1660
7. Kammara Tamilnadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhrapredesh areas in scattered nature 593
8. Kattunaiyakkan Nilkiris, Mudumalai, Other district in Tamilnadu, Keral 45227
9. Kadar Nilkiris, Aanaimalai, Parambikulam, Perumparai 568
10. Kanikkaran Kaniyakumari and Kerala 3136
11.Kudiyar, Malaikudi Tamilnadu and Karnataka border hills, and Kudagu dt of Karnataka 126
12. Kuruchian Krishnakiri dt in Tamilnadu and Kerala 3168
13. Kurumbar Nilkiris, Malabar, Vaiyanadu, and Mysore 5498
14. Kuruman Most of the people lived in Dharmapuri, Vellore, Kirishnakiri dt, Some of them were in Mettor taluks of Salem dt 24963
15. Kochuvellan Near Thiruvedangoor area of Tamilnadu border 133
16. Kondakapu Tamilnadu and Andhrapradesh in scattered nature 516
17. Kondareddy Most of the people lived in Mettor, Bhavani, Idippadi, Pennagaram taluks, and some of the lived in Madurai, Thirunelveli, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Puduchery in scattered nature 19653
18. Korar Near Thiruvedangoor areas of Tamilnadu border, Kazarkodu dt of Kerala, South Kannada dt, and the near areas of Tamilnadu borders 159
19. Kothar Nilkiris 925
20. Chollagar Pargoor Hills (Bhavani), Billikiri Rangan Hills, Matheswaran Hills of Karanataka. This people lived in both Tamilnadu and Karanataka states. 3853
21. Thothavar Nilkiri 1560
22. Palliyan Palani hills 1525
23. Palleiyan Palani hills, Madurai dt 339
24. Palliyar Lawer Palani hills of Madurai dt, Uppar Palani hills, Ellakkai Hills, Sirumalai, Kodai hills, Varushanadu hills, Periyaru Hills, Iddukki dt of Kerala 3052
25. Paniyan Guddalore taluk of Nilkiri dt, Kozhikodu, Malappuram taluks of Kerala, Kudagu dt of karanataka 9121
26. Mahamalasar Covai, Udumalaipettai, Dindugal area hills 183
27. Malasar Anaimalai, Kerala area 6043
28. Malai araiyan Covai, Kottaiyam dt of kerala 499
29. Malaikuravan Madurai, Kanyakumari, Kerala hill areas 18296
30. Malaipandaram Kanyakumari, Kollam dt areas of Kerala 3156
31. Malaiyakandi Tamilnadu, Kerala 464
32. Maliyalli Kolli Hill, Pachimalai, Servarayan Hills, Ellakiri Hills, Javathu Hills, Sitheri Hills, Kalrayan hills, Palamalai Hills 310042
33. Malaivedan Mothiramalai of Kalkulam taluks and Villavankodu taluks in Kanyakumari dt is the ancient birth place. Now they are living in scattered nature 6411
34. Mannaan Madurai, Kodaikannal, Elakkaimalai 82
35. Muthuvan Anaimalai, Ellakkaimalai in Tamilnadu, Thiruvethangoor, Kochi area of Kerala state 339
36. Muduvan, Mudukar Anaimalai (Covai), Kannan thevan malaikal, Ellakkaimalai, and Kerala 1297

Adivasi communities are largely concentrated 15 districts, including Chennai, most of them residing in the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats, in the area extending from Erodu to Kanyakumari in the west and in the area of Tiruchirappali, Nammakkal, Salem, Dharapuri and Vellore in the east.
1.4.3. Within the listed Tamilnadu Adivasi communities, the Kattunayakan, Kota, Kurumba, Irular, Paniyan and Toda communities, numbering 1,58,000 have been identified as ‘primitive tribal groups, due to their pre – agricultural level of technology, low literacy and stagnant or diminishing number .
1.4.4 The Present Status of Adivasis in Tamilnadu :
Adivasis, who are scattered in western Ghats and eastern ghats, lived in small hamlets who are in search of their lost identity, livelihood resources, healthy food habits, rich traditional heritage, access to herbal medicines and minor forest produce. They are forced to live in plains, reduced to the level of plantation workers or agricultural coolies in their ancestral land.
1.4.4.1. Basic Amenities:
Even after 63 years of Independence, hill tribes in Tamilnadu have not secured their basic amenties like housing, protected drinking water, Street light, link roads, schools, Primary health centre and proper marketing facilities
1.4.4.2. Payment of minimum wages:
Remuneration paid to the tribels by the plantation and Land owners and contractors is far below the wages fixed by the minimum wages act.
1.4.4.3. Forest Department:
The practices of forest department auctioning forest produce gave way to contractors and middlemen resulting in the deprivation of the traditional rights of tribal community.
1.4.4.4. Atrocities on Tribals:
Since the Adivasis are not organised and continued to be week they became easy victims of forest officials and local land lords. Victimisation and and abuse of women by the officials and local landlords are quite common.
1.4.4.5. Health Issue:
Most Adivasis live in poor hygienic condition resulting in various problems such as infant mortality, nutritional status, fertility, neo-natal mortality, post-natal mortality, peri-natal mortality, poor life-expectancy etc. The inadequacy of public health care delivery system, poor preventive measures, insufficient income and high consumption of tobacco and alcohol have led Adivasis to an unhealthy life. Comparing to the earnings of Adivasis, the expenditure on health is a heavy burden which keeps Adivasis living in a poor health conditions.
1.4.4.6. Extreme Poverty and Hunger:
The Adivasis in India live under extreme poverty and hunger because the majority of them do not have land for cultivation. The Adivasis do not have the habit of saving money. Most of the displaced Adivasis are denied of their right to live in forest which used to be their source of livelihood. Now they depend only on daily manual work to meet their expenses.
1.4.4.7. The major political issue in Tamil Nadu for adivasis is the non-implementation of V schedule and new panchayat extension Act 1996. The corporate sector is making hectic attempts to alienate adivasis from their land and to scrap the V schedule as it gives powers to adivasis to prohibit the outsiders into the adivasis areas.
1.4.4.8. Development of tourism, Hydropower projects, large scale plantation units, mining industries, mono cropping and cash cropping patterns, agro industrial chemical pollution. Encroachment of adivasis lands by non- adivasis and exploitation of forest resources in a massive way have resulted in serious ecological and environmental problems and in loss of bio–diversity.
1.4.4.9. The announcement of forest covers as Tiger Sanctuaries, National Parks and Wild Life Sanctuaries threatens the forest adivasi to quit from their forest dwellings and livelihood resources. The promises of the State to pay huge compensations, forcible eviction of the adivasis for mining activities of the State are other threats adivasis face today.
1.5.0 Forest Rights Act 2006:
1.5.1 The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 , is a key piece of forest legislation passed in India on December 18, 2006. It has also been called the "Forest Rights Act", the "Tribal Rights Act" and the "Tribal Land Act." The law concerns the rights of forest dwelling communities to land and other resources, denied to them over decades as a result of the continuance of colonial forest laws in India.
1.5.2 Supporters of the Act claim that it will redress the "historical injustice" committed against forest dwellers, while including provisions for making conservation more effective and more transparent. The demand for the law has seen massive national demonstrations involving hundreds of thousands of people.
1.5.3 However, the law has also been the subject of considerable controversy in the English press in India. Opponents of the law claim it will lead to massive forest destruction and should be repealed.
1.5.4 A little over one year after it was passed, the Act was notified into for on December 31, 2007. On January 1, 2008, this was followed by the notification of the Rules framed by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to supplement the procedural aspects of the Act. In these 12 months, December 2006 to December 2007, adivasis in various forest areas of the country have been subject to systematic assaults by the forest department and a host of other forces, who did not like the idea of India's forest resources being controlled by the forest dwellers. Thousands of people living in forest areas for generations in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamilnadu and elsewhere battled eviction attempts, and in many cases, were brutally evicted, their villages burnt or bulldozed, people tortured, harassed and arrested in false cases simply because they had demanded forest rights.
1.5.5 Paying no heed to laws passed by a sovereign country's Parliament, a handful of forest bureaucrats, continued to tyrannize the rightful owners of Indian forests. While on the ground forest officials denied the very existence of the Forest Rights Act, the Ministry of Environment and Forests,(MoEF) Government of India, issued a guideline to State Forest Departments, to identify 'inviolate' Critical Wildlife Habitats as defined in the Act! The Act was not notified, and neither had the rights settlement process prescribed in the Act started anywhere. This did not stop the MoEF from issuing the completely illegal guidelines. Not to be left behind, the State Forest Departments notified 'inviolate' tiger habitats in several states, claiming that the rights provided in the Forest Rights Act will not apply to such notified areas.
1.5.6 The forest communities of this independent country expects that, with notification of the Forest Rights Act, the implementation of the Forest Rights Act must start in right earnest, giving full primacy to the Gramsabhas. The notification of the Act is a welcoming move but the Rules for the Act are still extremely vague and sketchy, and these do not clear the ambiguities latent in the original Act. Demand is that suitable Amendments are brought to the Forest Rights Act, to include the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, and to ensure that all genuine forest dwellers of the country come under it, and rights enshrined in the Act do not get in any way compromised by interference from Government Officials.
1.5.7 In the above mentioned context, Adivasi Land Rights Movement (ALRM) with its like minded activist groups has taken up the task of widespread campaigning of Forest Rights Act 2006 among the adivasis and the Officials with the Gramsabha members in between.
2. Profile of ALRM Member Group and its Like Minded Tribal Activist Group:
2.1. Adivasi Land Right Movement (ALRM) is a small attempt initiated by ARUDECS (All Rural Development and Social Construction Society, Theni among Paliyan Tribes in Bodi – Agamalai Hills of Theni district from 2004 onwards. Last 6 years of involvement with Paliyan Adivais, ARUDECS promoted a cadre based People’s Organisation called Adivasi Land Right Movement - Theni, formerly known as Bodi & Agamalai Adivasis Paliyar Federation (BAAPF) with strength of over 15000 members constituted by 20 settlements.
2.2. ARUDECS is also actively involved Campaign for the proper implementation of Forest Rights Act 2007 at Bodi Agamalai Hills of Western Ghats in Theni district with support of ARUDECS. Activities carried out are as follow:
• Two Awareness Camp and Training for Youth and Village Leaders on FRA 2006 during the year 2008 - 2009
• Formation of Adivasi traditional Gramsabha in 15 tribal hamlets
• Two village level Resource Mapping excercise conducted through PRA Techniques
• 800 Claim Forms prefared and submitted to the district administration.
• 45 bonded labour families were released and rehabilitated from landlord, Bodi with the guidance of ARUDECS.
• 5 atrocity cases against women and Dalits was filed and won the legal battle against the upper caste people.
• District forest rights committee – Theni was formed by district administration working close contact with ARUDECS for implementing FRA 2006.
• 300 paliyan Adivasi family got community certificate with the support of ARUDECS.

2.3. ARUDECS is technically and conceptually supported by a group of like minded tribal activists namely
1. P.V.Rajagobalji, National President – EKTA Parishad
2. T.Marirajan, Research & Activist and he leading a state wide campaign against globalization related livelihood issues in Tamilnadu
3. K. Biju, Coordinator, Centre for Socio-Cultural Interaction (CESCI), Madurai
4. S. Dhanaraj, Lawer & Tribal activist working for the speedy implementation of FRA 2006 in Tamilnadu
5. Mr.Nagalingam, a leading labour activist and core team member of EKTA Parisad – Tamilnadu
6. Ms.Sivarani, Ecological farming specialist

2.4. ARUDECS, and Like Minded Tribal Activists works together for promoting EKTA – Parisad, Tamilnadu for the wider campaign on Forest Rights Act 2006 all over the state. It also focused regional issues at the district level or Eco region level by promoting and strengthening of Adivasi Land Rights Movement (ALRM) to fight for the traditional and customary rights adivasis in Tamilnadu.
2.4. Formation of Adivasi team among Existing EKTA – Parisad, Tamilnadu Setup:
A separate planning meeting for developing workplan for promoting and strengthening of ALRM was held at CECSI, Madurai on 22nd May 2010. 9 participants took part the meeting. The tribal situation in Tamilnadu and the implementation of FRA 2006 was discussed during the meeting. End of the meeting, EKTA – Parisad, Tamilnadu Adivasi team was selected. The following persons were elected as members, namely P.R.Raja, G.Nagalingam, S.Dhanaraj, S.Jegadesan, T.Marirajan and Pappathi (Women Leader from Paliyan Tribes).
3. Goals and Objectives of ALRM
3.1. The vision of ALRM is to ensure the rights of forest adivasis, their lives and livelihoods.
3.2. The wider objective of ALRM is to empower adivasis with active participation for improved and sustainable management of natural resources including forest for secured livelihood, governance of forest and tree resources, protection of their forest rights, land rights and customary rights on forest and other entitlements.
3.3. The objectives of ALRM are:
• To mobilize Adivasi community into a movement for protection of their rights in the present complex socio-Political condition.
• Wider campaigning of Forest Rights Act 2006 in all forest adivasi areas to reduce the information gaps.
• Empowering gramsabhas to take decisions on their community development processes and understanding the Forest Rights Act 2006, the roles and responsibilities of gramsabhas;
• To empower the Adivasis on their rights to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage and community forest resource, which they have been traditionally protecting and conserving for sustainable use.
• Organising and capacitating adivasis across the state to protest against on-going exploitation and displacement due to so called industrialisation through the active participation of Janasatygraha 2012 jointly with other EKTA Parisad Units in all over India;

3.4. Primary Focus:
The ALRM has planned to focus primarily on Campaign on Forest Rights Act 2006 and to Preparing Jansatyagraha 2012.
3.4.1. Preparing Jansatyagraha 2012:
EKTA Parishad is going to organize one-year foot march of Jansatyagraha 2012 is a vital event at national level as well as the state chapter of Tamilnadu to achieve the traditional and customary rights of Adivasis. The main objective of this event is to gather 100,000 people on the 2nd of October 2012 in front of the Parliament, for the recognition and application of the rights to the natural resources of the most destitute people.
Adivasis team of EKTA Parisad, Tamilnadu already promised to Rajaji during the time of his visit to CESCI, Madurai to participate with 5000 cadres from all over Tamilnadu. During the planning meeting held at CESCi on 22nd May 2010, the team discussed the mobilization process to Janasatyagraha 2012. 18 eco regions were already identified for cadre building work

3.5. PRIORITIES
The priorities of action are forming grass root level Eco Region based Collective to facilitate the Adivasis to register as an organized co-operatives at district level to ensure their right over minor forest produce; to be informed about Forest Rights Act 2006; and to document traditional and customary rights in Gram sabha resolutions by the Adivasis themselves for the better implementation of the Forest Rights Act 2006.
Adivasi habitats in Tamilnadu were divided in to 18 eco regions. The names of the Eco regions were as follows.
Eco regions in Western Ghats:
1. Pachiparai 2. Manimutharu, Kalakkadu, Mundanthurai 3. Sathurakiri, Sirumalai 4. Kuthiraimalai 5. Varusanadu 6. Bodi – Agamalai 7. Uppar and Lower Palani Hills 8. Valparai, Top Slip 9. Thirumoorthimalai, Amaravathi, Thalinchi 10. Sathiyamangalam 11. Thalavadi, Yanaikatti 12. Ooty, Kothakiri, Gudaloor,
Eco Regions in Eastern ghats
13. Kollimalai 14. Kalrayan hills 15. Pachamalai 16. Javathu Hills 17. Erkadu 18. Ellakiri hills

3.6. Strategies:
The following strategies were planned to implement the work plan during the year 2010 to 2011.
3.6.1. Strategy 1: Information collection and identification of grass root level tribal activists and community leaders
• Data collection through known source or contacts
• Consultation meeting for selected participants
• Spot Visit with selected participants

3.6.2. Strategy II: organizing and strengthening of Eco region Level forums
• Strengthening of Grama Sabhas and Communities
• Capacity building for forest right committees
• Formation of Eco Region Level forums to monitoring of FRA work
• Capacity Building of Eco region level forum or Federation Leaders
• Support for Adivasi cultural mela process with inter-village cultural activities to strengthen the self-confidence of Adivasis and to bring the spirit of the sustainable and equitable Adivasi forest life also to the awareness and recognition of the modern society.
• Strengthening of Local struggles and activists

3.6.3. Strategy III: Community based mass sensitization programme across the state for unifying adivasi communities to ensuring the traditional and customary rights.
• Coordination work for promoting ALRM at state level
• Campaigning through rallies, padiyatras, posters, statements, press releases, publications, etc.
• Organized a Public Hearing on Tribal issues and FRA
• Campaign / Lobby / Advocacy at the state and national level for land rights jointly with EKTA parisad

3.6.4. Strategy IV: Campaigning to protect, validate & legalise sustainable life practices of Adivasis :
• Sustainable ways how Adivasis live (by use of plants, trees, etc.) without eliminating the wild/natural renewal of plants, trees, etc.
• Sustainable Adivasi mode of holding/ownership of land/wilds/forests/indigenous knowledge& subsistence
• Subsistence of landless Adivasis (against contract farming/commercial plantation/cultivation)
• Formation of State resource centre for Adivasis in Tamilnadu

7. Expected Results
• Solidarity and unity among adivasi communities will be strengthened. Collective articulation of forest adivasis for equitable forest policy, strategies, law and regulation to ensure tribal and forest dependant community’s rights and entitlements.
• Adivasis networking and contacts will improve through collective efforts across the country.
• Awareness will improve natural resource management in adivasi communities.
• Bio-diversity in the forest adivasi area will be maintained through peoples’ initiatives.
• Organised pressure will be built up on the State to formulate policies on adivasi welfare and to implement FRA 2006.
• Adivasi Community resource mapping will be done to strengthen the claim forms of adivasi community rights over forest.
• Adivasi economies, cultures and traditional knowledge systems will be protected.
• Leadership will be developed among adivasi communities with enriched information sharing on Forest rights.
• Capacity will be built to resist so called development programmes and projects which result in displacement and forced migration of majority of people from their traditional motherland and livelihood resources.
• On the whole, 5000 Adivasi Youths and community leaders will take part Janasatyagraha 2012 from Tamilnadu.

Other Issues to Consider
• Though Forest Rights Act 2006 is considered one of the best legal provisions for the forest adivasis, the rules and regulations still have gaps. The lack of integrated approach in the National Law is also a stumbling block in the enforcement of FRA 2006.
• The National Wild Life Parks, Wild Life Sanctuaries and Tiger Reserves poses eviction threat to adivasis from their forest dwellings and livelihood resources.
• The international development agenda and the process of globalisation, privatization and liberalisation also favours the vested interests of MNCs and their profit motives with gross exploitation of natural resources on contrary to the decentralized, subsistence and sustainable economy of the adivasis.

PROJECT PROPOSAL To Strengthen Mobilize and Advocacy Activities in Kerala and Tamilnadu in Support to Jansatyagraha 2012

2010-11-24T23:23:00.000-08:00

PROJECT PROPOSAL
To Strengthen Mobilize and Advocacy Activities in Kerala and Tamilnadu in Support to Jansatyagraha 2012
INTRODUCTION
The term ‘movement’ stands for dynamism, the momentum of people motivated from within and the popular support that is essential for successful and sustainable development and change at a State and national level. A movement by definition must have a leadership but it becomes a mass movement only when people join it. A mass movement has to be based on the urges of masses and on popular consciousness. It has to rely on their self-activity. Ekta Parishad has become one of the peoples movement in India with its commitment, leadership and its large peoples membership. Ekta Parishad the one of the largest nonviolent social movement in India is going to organize a major peoples foot march in the year 2012 from Gwalior to Delhi to pressurize the central Govt. on land reform policies and its implementation. This program is called as Jansatyagraha 2012. One lakh peoples from all sections of deprived community will take part in this massive rally. Therefore it is vital to mobilize peoples from all over the country to take part in this important satyagraha padayatra for a political change on land and livelihood issues. Along with mobilization Advocacy support is much significant to reach the expected result. Therefore it is important to strengthen the advocacy component in Ekta Parisahd and its activities in Kerala and Tamilnadu.

Status of EktaParishad in Kerala and Tamilnadu

Ekta Parishad did substantial work in Kerala and Tamilandu to create a platform and sowed its seeds in various sectors. EP has become popular among Gandhian Sarvodaya groups, Adivasi/Dalit right groups, Youth empowerment, women rights and land and livelihood based right organization sections. In Tamilnadu and Kerala there are number of organizations are working in the peoples right over land and livelihood issues on different areas and various levels. We think it is necessary to net work with them and make sure with those organizations in both states to take part in this political action process to change the land right policy of the country to benefit large number of deprived community. Therefore it is important to initiate various programs in both states in support to the process of Jansatyagraha 2012 advocacy and mobilization.

JS 2012 and its importance
For many years Ekta Parishad was in the forefront of land struggle in India to get equitable land distribution and also to protect access to the natural livelihood resources to the downtrodden community. There is a long history of struggle for access to land and it has always been the most vulnerable communities that find themselves left out of the political dialogue for change. Control over natural resources and land lies in he hands of state and the vague and the inefficient campaigns of the past have done nothing for the developments of a true village based democracy that can bring the needs of the landless to the forefront of the political agenda.
After Janadesh 2007, the Govt. of India announced to set up a National Land Reform Committee and National Land Reform Council with the participation of civil right activists. Looking after 3 years of time we can see that the councils and committees didn’t do anything what they have promised. To make the accountable and to implement what they have promised EP has decided to continue its struggle for the landless. Jansatygraha 2012 is major action EP is planning to challenge the Govt. It will begin on the 2nd October 2012 from Gwalior to Delhi will carry for one month with one lakh people covering 350 km. The demand will be same as for Janadesh with high expectation of change.

Need of Mobilization and advocacy in a focus to FRA 2006, Adivasi/Dalit Rights, Youth against violence, Women empowerment

There are various issues prevailing in the states that affect the poor and marginalized. We are thinking to focus FRA 2006, Adivasi/Dalit Rights, Youth Groups, Peace Circles, and Women Groups in support to Jansatyagraha mobilization and advocacy activities. Numbers of organizations are working in these areas to empower them and to get their rights. We should invite and engage those organizations to make participate in JS 2012.

Need of Human Resource

Human resources are an important area to achieve what we are dreaming. Without enough man power it will be very difficult to continue all our work what we are planning. There will be an Advocacy Organizer in Kerala and one will Tamilnadu to lead all the activities. The State Organizer is responsible for all the activities in support to JS in each state. The Organizer has to work with the mobilization team in their respective states, and will report to the National advocacy office on time.

Need of training support to Staff team and peoples leaders (various trainings)
The Organizer should get proper training to become a fulltime advocacy person. National Advocacy office has to take responsibility to provide trainings and monitor the activities of the State advocacy Organizer. Along with the Organizer it is also vital to provide advocacy training support to the mobilization staff team and the village leaders. The national office has to decide a set of trainings that can enhance the capacity of the main organizer and other kind of trainings that will provide knowledge and capacity to the mobilization team.

Need of initiating various media and advocacy programs (various trainings)
 Training on Media and Advocacy
 Training on Human rights, Dalit rights, land rights, FRA, Women rights, etc
 Understanding Advocacy for social change
 Organizing Public hearings
 Training to organize different media meetings (Press meet, visual media, free lancers etc.)
 Organizing seminars, Conferences, and Conventions etc.
 Traning on Visual media, Virtual media, etc.

Need of an Office in both states
A coordination office is important in both states to coordinate the Jansatyagraha activities. Right now in Kerala KGNS office and in Tamilnadu CESCI office is being used for the coordination purpose. Both offices are providing its space free of coast to the advocacy activities. We should consider providing some administrative support to both state offices to make it as a coordination point. But looking in to the advocacy perspective it will be good to have an office in the capital of both sates i.e. in Chennai and in Trivandrum. This will enable the team to do advocacy with political parties and media much effective.

Materials needed for office and programs
Some minimum materials are required to the Organizer to continue the advocacy activities. The organizer should have an office with enough office stationeries, a mobile phone, a digital camera, a laptop with Internet data card, a printer.

Documentation and research (engaging part time persons)
Documentation is a vital area in the advocacy work. The Organizer has to do the work based documentation, press clip collections, case studies collection, petitions collections etc. when ever there is a need we should engage part time researchers to do the documentation work. The research materials and documents have to be filed and kept in the office properly. There should be a proper collection and system for photo and video documents. Unwanted photo and video documentation will not be encouraged, because it is an expensive medium. We need such documentation, but the organizer should have to use his/her wise in doing so.

Administration support
Office rent, Current bill, communication expenses, stationary, travel, visitors meeting; etc will all lead in to a administration support area. There will be separate expenses towards travel cost in the administration work. There are some travel cost will come under program travels. There will be many internal administrative meetings to strengthen the work. It all requires money.

One day consultation on Janstyagraha 2012 with right based organization from Tamilnadu

2010-11-24T23:19:00.000-08:00

One day consultation on Janstyagraha 2012 with right based organization from Tamilnadu.

Ekta Parishad the one of the largest nonviolent social movement in India is going to organize a major peoples march in the year 2012 from Gwalior to Delhi to pressurize the central Govt on land reform policies and its implementation. This program is called as Jansatygraha 2012. One lakh peoples from all sections of deprived community will take part in this massive rally. Therefore it is vital to mobilize peoples from all over the country to take part in this important satyagraha padaytra for a political change on land and livelihood issues.

In Tamilnadu there are many organizations are working in the peoples right over land and livelihood issues on different areas and various levels. We think it is necessary to inform organizations in Tamilandu to take part in this political action process to change the land right policy of the country to benefit large number of deprived community. Therefore it is important to invite all of them for a one day discussion to share about the process of Jansatyagraha 2012. Rajagopal.P.V the founder and president of Ekta Parishad will be available in this consultation to meet all the important delegates. We would like to invite at least 100 delegates from different sections from Tamilnadu to take part in this one day consultation.

Date: November 8th (Monday) 2010
Venue: At CESCI Training Centre, Majagram, Chatrapati (PO), Madurai
Time: 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM

Biju report for the month of September 2010

2010-11-24T23:12:00.001-08:00

Report for the month of September 2010- By K. Biju

In the first week of September I was invited to participate the Ekta Parishad National Management Committee meeting at Bhopal for two days. The meeting was chaired by Rajaji and Ransingh ji. In this meeting I was requested to present progress of the south Indian activities in connection with JS 2012 and I was also given an additional responsibility to organize a Kalamanch meeting in Katni, Madhya Pradesh.

Had a brief discussion with Mr. Aneesh about the advocacy activities and he shared some of the information’s about the progress of Land reform Committee and its present status. From the discussion I understand that the planning commission is making some progress in terms of taking some of the recommendations given by EP to the Land Reform Council.

Had a small meeting with Mr. Mael and Jill behan in connection with the use of cyber space in promotion to EP activities. Mael was not happy to have more Blogs and sites in the Internet world. But after the discussion he has agreed to and understood that it is important to have more information’s in the website and cyber space about the organization and the leaders.

After the Bhopal meeting, I was invited to Bangalore to participate in the SIAF (South Indian Adivasi Federation) meeting. It was an invitation form KAF (Kerala Adivasi Forum). In Kerala EP is working with KAF and they want introduce EP in to their larger circle. In Bangalore partners from all the four south India was participated. I am thankful to Fr. Stephen for introducing EP in to this large circle and for giving the opportunity to introduce about Jansatyagraha 2012. In this meeting SIAF was doing the process organization development (OD) along with SWOT analysis. It is a right way and important training in terms of developing their organizations and activities.

In the month of September Rajaji visited Kerala and Tamilnadu and had few important meetings. Rajaji got a viral fever and he has decided to postpone some of the programs he has planned already. In Kerala he was invited for a Gandhian Award by the poornodaya group at Thrissur on the 18^th. On the 23^rd he had a meeting with EP Kerala team along with KAF team. The three different regional coordinators will closely work with KAF in terms of JS 12 mobilization work. Mr. Suresh of KGNS will coordinate this process and KGNS office will be the base for the JS coordination work.

Participated a public hearing on atrocities against tribal in the state jointly organized by Evidence Madurai and Tamilnadu Adivasi Forum (TAF) at Madurai on the 18^th. It was a good program and they brought 25 case studies form different tribal regions in the public for hearing. It was hard to listen some of the cases even after 63 years of freedom tribals are suffering a lot. Organizations in south India need to come together to work among adivasis and their livelihood issues. Mr. Dhanraj of Tamilnadu Adivasi Forest Right Act movement participated another meeting in Trichy organized Tamilnadu Mannurimai Iyyakkam and action aid (TN land rights movement). In this meeting he understands that, the organizations in the state are interested to join the JS 12 action organized by EP. And they are keen to organize a consultation with Rajaji in the direction of bringing more organizations and people from Tamilnadu to participate JS 2012. Similarly Mr. Vinod of Chennai spoke with the Action aid Chennai office and they also want to have some time to discuss with EP about the JS 2012 support activities.

Due to the bad health condition of Rajaji we have decided to postpone the proposed ToT program for Tamilnadu from September to October 7,8,9 at CESCI Madurai and intimated the leaders the change of new date.

Mr. P.A. Raja of Theni and Mr. Jagadisan from Pollachi went to Madhya Pradesh to participate the 10 days jeep yatra program under the leadership of Rajaji. This was a good opportunity for peoples like Jagadisan and Raja to understand the work of EP.

Jai Jagat

Biju monthly report for the month of August 2010

2010-09-10T04:50:00.000-07:00

Report for the month of August 2010- By K. Biju

1. In general the month August was quite good in the sense of understanding the works done during the last few months. I didn’t made nay out station travel during August, but there is one important Dhal Nayak meeting held at CESCI from 17th to 18th August 2010 with Rajaji and Ransingh ji. Leaders from Kerala and Tamilnadu participated in this important meeting. Dr. Ransingh ji and Shri.Rajaji was the chief trainers in this program. There will be a detailed report will come very soon.

2. On the 7th August I got opportunity to participate a lecture at Gandhi museum Madurai on the topic of growing violence and the importance of Gandhism in the present situation? Shri. Mariyapan ji and and Mr. Madu raj from the MKU spoke.

3. On the 31st August Kerala EP team called a one day meeting at KGNS office at Calicut with an agenda of creating an ekta Parishad state council. Seven persons who have given responsibility only turned in this meeting instead of various district committee members. (Santhosh, Sreeja, Vasudevan, Shaji, Ramesh Methala, Krishnakumar, Biju, Sathees, Shamsudhin). Each one who was responsible for different districts made brief presentation about their district committee coordination meeting and conventions?

i. Krishnakumar was responsible for Palakkad and Pathanam thitta. He only had palakkad district committee meeting. Nothing happened in Pathanamthitta.
ii. Ramesh was responsible for Thrissur and Ernakulam. He had meeting only in Thrissur.
iii. Vasudevan had meeting and convention in Waynad nothing I Idukki. District.
iv. Sreeja had meeting in Trivandrum and Calicut.
v. Shamsudhin had meeting in Malappuram and not in Allepy
vi. Satheesan had meeting in Kannur not in Kollam

• Santhosh concluded this sharing session by explaining his experience in different districts and said that it is important to have coordination office in Trivandrun with a strong advocacy team, to have a training team, to have senior gandhians team as well wishers and some capacity in publication. Based on his explanation the other members reacted. Krishnakumar said there is no need to have a separate office at this moment as we are not operating in such a level and have agreed the other things. Similarly others also supported his ideas.

• Santhosh informed that he is ready to change his position as a coordinator of Ekta Parishad Kerala and want give the responsibility to others. Based on this discussion it was decided to inform this development to the National Committee and they will take a final decision in this regard and will engage some one as a coordinator. In the same time we have decided to divide Kerala as three regions and give the responsibility to three persons to coordinate the work (North Kerala, Central Kerala and South Kerala) Vasudevan will take charge in the Northern Kerala districts (Kasargod, Kannur, Waynad, Calicut, and Malappuram). Ramesh Methala will take responsibility in the districts of Thrissur, Palakkad, Aluva, Ernakulam and Idukky. Sreeja will take responsibility in Kottayam, Alapuzha, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Trivandrum.

• Satheesan, Shamsu, Vasudevan and Ramesh who came to Madurai to participate Dhalnayak meeting made a presentation about Madurai meeting.

• Shaji from Waynad said it is hard to spare lots of time to the social work, if people don’t understand the importance of the meetings and decisions.

• The three member team will Meet Mr. Suresh the secretary of KGNS and will discuss the programs in Kerala and continue the mobilization activities.

• Sreeja will focus on MM activities and will make to participate 500 people form the MM activity areas from Kerala to join JS 2012. In the next TOT program for Kerala MM will send 10 leaders to get training.

4. Joined with Mr. D.K Jha the internal auditor of EP who visited CESCI for four days from the 11th to 14th to understand and the accounts and make review of the accounts.

5. Arranged a week long training program on Bee keeping for the village program in support with KVIC Madurai division. There are 46 people from the nearby villages participated in this program.

6. KGNS office team Mr. Suresh and Mr. Udhayan went to Kollam to wind up the project activities in the Kollam area based on the decision from the KGNS committee.

Biju monthly report for the Month of June 2010

2010-07-30T08:22:00.000-07:00

1. I had a meeting with Raja of theni on the 3^rd June at CESCI in-order to discuss about their meeting held at CESCI on the 22^nd May with the Tamilnadu Adivasi Land Rights Forum. He has brought the minutes of the meeting and a working plan copy that they have collectively prepared in support to Janadesh 2012 in a direction to work among the adivasis on FRA. Based on the discussion we agreed to send the same to Rajaji by email for his support to implement the activities in Tamilnadu.

2. Accompanied the research visit of Christop and Paulo from Chennai to Cochin during 15^th June to 23^rd June. The team had meetinngs with Smt. Krishnammal of LAFTI, Mr. Vinod of Aadi tamil Vidudalai Iyyakkam, visited Kallakurichi to meet released binded labours stone quarry activities, visited Konalai, Trichy to see another released bonded labour community village, had meeting with Mr. Basha and Mr. Sayed of SOCCO trust, Visited Mr. Raja of ARUDECS to see some of their adivasi working areas and finally visited Kollam, Kerala to see the black sand mining area.

3. Participated the inaugural function of Chatrapati tailoring centre. This centre is new initiative of CESCI village program to support women’s economic empowerment activities. There are 15 girls are getting training in tailoring here and other three women’s from a MHG has started a tailoring job unit to work for a garment company. Ms. Uma and Ms. Lalitha are coordinating this process.

4. As part of the CESCI village program the MHGs has decided to create a federation to strengthen their activities and have organised a one day orientation meeting at CESCI on federation building. There are 30 women leaders from 15 MHS’s participated in this meeting. Finally the team has decided to create a new Federation in the name of Ekta Sangamam and have another meeting some experts to make its guidelines. Ms. Lalitha will follow up this process in consultation with CCD Madurai and will invite Mr. Olaganathan from CCD to the next meeting.

5. The honey project in the Vemparali villages is picking up. The group has started to collect the honey from their bee colonies. We are thankful to KVIC and its Director Mr. Wakode for providing this opportunity to empower the rural community.

6. CESCI organics oil production unit is started to function now under Mr. Natarajan, the new manager. The unit has purchased about 100 bags of raw ground nut during this season and will start to produce oil from it. The unit is also working as a service centre for framers and villagers to make oil for their house hold needs. To sustain the centre the team is trying to expand the work by making oils from non-edible products like neem and some other seeds by using the second grinding machine. The neem oil and cake has high demand in the market and it will create more income to the centre and it will help to become self reliant the centre.

Biju monthly report for the month of July 2010

2010-07-30T08:08:00.001-07:00

Report for the month of July 2010- by Biju . K

1. On the 1^st of July we had a meeting at KGNS office with Jill Behan, Ms. Sreeja, Mr. Suresh Babu and Mr. Udhyan about the work plan of EP Kerala. Sreeja was briefing her experience she had with the anti alcohol campaign. Later the group had decided to set up an eleven member EP coordination committee under the coordination of KGNS office. The group was also discussed the financial support from VOLENS Belgium and have reworked the budget in to the level of 6 lakhs and asked Mr. Suresh babu to rework the same and get approval from the KGNS committee. It was also decided to call an EP Kerala district members meeting on the 11^th of July at KGNS office.

2. On the 11^th July the EP Kerala Coordination committee had a meeting at KGNS office and have decided following.

a. About the question of having a clear Ekta Parishad structure in Kerala all of the participants have agreed to create a state council through a proper process. Without having a proper structure it is very difficult to coordinate the programs and campaigns.

b. Decided to select a seven member team as a temporary committee to set up and organize district committee and meetings. Each member is responsible for two districts and will organize committee meetings before August 15^th. After completion of these district committees there will be a get together of all district leaders and the EP state council will be created. Mr. Santhosh Malampuzha will coordinate this process.

c. It was decided to cooperate with different social groups from the state who are working on various social issues with the same goal. As Janasatyagraha 2012 require support from about 2000 organizations, it is important to get their support.

d. The committee will maintain a proper minutes book system and will translate the bylaws and other important documents in to Malayalam language.

3. On the 15^th July went to IITPD Pondychery to talk with a small group of French students about Ekta Parishad and Janasatyagraha activities. There are two students from this group has already decided to join with EP as volunteers for three months to help the organization. These two students will come to CESCI and will work some time in CESCI organics at Nagapattinam to create a business plan for CESCI organics and later they will visit different organization that work on Forest Right Act implementation and will create a report on that.

4. On the 16^th had a meeting with Mr. Palanisamy at pondychery to discuss about his interest to join with JS 2012. He has agreed to send some about 100 to 200 people from pondychery to JS 12 padayatra. I will have to work with him closely to identify the leaders because as Palanisamy is engaged in media work he doesn’t have enough time to coordinate the work of EP.

5. On the 19^th had a meeting with Raja theni and discussed about progress of the TALRM (tamilnadu adivasi land rights movement) creation process. To continue the process even without bigger funding it is important to get some small financial assistance to travel different adivasi areas.

6. On the 20^th and 22^nd I had a meeting with Mr. Nagalingam after his Bhopal conference participation. He was impressed by the visit and has more enthusiasm. He has introduced one Mr. Anadan who is the Secretary of an organization called Indian People Federation for Social Change (IPFS). Mr. Anadan has organized various nonviolent action programs in Tamilnadu against corruption and political change. He is strong believer of Ahimsa and has a capacity to mobilize people for nonviolent action programs. On the other day he introduced two other persons who work on alcohol prohibition. Mr. Bhaskaran, Sarvodhaya worker from Dindigul, Mr. Anbu a Gandhian worker from Madurai and an advocate from Dhrmapuri. I think we should call this people for a meeting with Rajaji or Ransingh ji for creating some linkage with them and EP activities.

7. On the 26^th & 27^th visited CESCI organics with the two French volunteers. Had a meeting with Natarajan the manager and with the students about their internship. The students will stay at CESCI organics for three weeks, during the time they will visit few villages and some small scale production units and will write a proposal to develop the centre in a right direction. Mr. Arul will help the volunteers to visit the villages. On the 15^th August they will come back to CESCI to meet the Secretary and will explain and also get further direction.

8. On 28^th &29^th accompanied and had discussion with a small group of Swiss friends who visited CESCI. They are very much inspired by our work and have agreed to join with CESCI Switzerland as a member. They will collect a Janadesh DVD from Kude and will show it in different forums in Switzerland were they are associated.

9. On 30^th had a short meeting with Mr. Nicco and his family who came from Switzerland to know about CESCI and its village program activities. After a discussion they joined with Lalita the village work coordinator to visit some villages nearby.

10. Apart from the above report I got involved with many things in connection with CESCI programs and campus activities. The main activities are repairing the roofs of the kitchen and meeting hall buildings. We kept aside 10 days for repairing during 5 to 15^th July and have completed the works. Campus team was very active during the repairing work process in terms of cleaning and removing the old materials. Based on the request from Kadavur village people we have given the old wooden materials to them to make use for their temple renovation work. A new parking space was created in the front part of CESCI office to avoid vehicles parking in the middle of the campus.

11. As part of the village program we have decided to organize one more bee keeping training program with the help of KVIC and have selected 30 peoples from the CESCI villages. The training will be held at CESCI during 17 to 23 august 2010.

12. Organized few meetings with Mr. David Swiss volunteer who is at CESCI right now. David is helping CESCI to develop as a model centre in terms of waste management, organic, solar power etc. David visited the Kerala to see the Ponnani land and building, and also visited Auroville pondychery to learn about various alternative systems and create linkages.

13. Organized the travel plan for Mr. Krishna the film maker in Kerala with the help of EP Kerala team

Thanks

Biju

30^th July 2010

Minutes of the meeting held on 22nd May 2010 at Pavana Centre, Manathavadi, waynad, Kerala.

2010-06-23T10:15:00.000-07:00

Minutes of the meeting held on 22nd May 2010 at Pavana Centre, Manathavadi, waynad, Kerala.

Present

1. Shri.Rajagopal.P.V
2. Fr. Stephen
3. Mr. Raghavan
4. Ms. Saradha
5. Mr. K. Biju

The youth camp with 68 participants from the Kerala Adivasi Forum is going on at PAVANA centre under guidelines of Rajaji. There was a small evaluation also happened on the 21st Morning to asses the Wayanad padayatra organized by ekta parishad in association with other adivasi forums. It was quite encouraging for every one to understand to use padayatra as a tool to challenge the present system of the Govt.
The youth camp will continue until 24th evening. Fr. Stephen will facilitate the remaining days of the camp in a direction to strengthen the Adivasi Form of Kerala.

In the mean time we had a meeting and have decided few major decisions in relation to the work of Adivasi Forum and Ekta Parishad in connection with strengthening the work among adivasis in Kerala in support to Janasatyagraha 2012.

1. Adivasi Forum will work among the adivasi communities in Kerala to empower them to get their rights and justice.

2. KAF will join with Ekta Parishad to create a linkage in a National Level and will join all the major action programs of EP at the national level.

3. In support to Jansatyagraha 2012 action on the issue of land KAF will participate from Kerala by bringing about 1000 adivasi’s and landless from Kerala.

4. Ekta Parishad will provide leadership training to 1000 cadres of KAF on Advocacy, constructive action programs, etc.

5. Ekta Parishad will provide exposure and linkage to KAF with the other states in India in-order to strengthen their struggles on land issues.

6. KAF can communicate with Mr. Biju, EP South India coordinator to continue their relation and communication development with EP at the national level.

Notes taken By: K. Biju and will forward the same to (stephen707@gmail.com, ekta.rajagopal@gmail.com) for corrections.

Minutes of the Ekta Parishad Tamilnadu Adivasi Program Planning Committee Meeting held on 22nd May 2010 at CESCI Centre

2010-06-23T10:12:00.000-07:00

EKTA PARISHAD, TAMILNADU

Minutes of the Ekta Parishad Tamilnadu Adivasi Program Planning Committee Meeting held on 22nd May 2010 at CESCI Centre.

• Main Agenda
To develop a Adivasi land Rights Movement in Tamilnadu in support to Janasatyagraha 2012 action

The Following Persons were present

1. R. Kalimuthu, Tribal Activist, Theni
2. P. R. Raja, Member, Taminadu Ekta Parishad
3. G. Nagalingam, Tamilnadu Ekta Parishad
4. A. P. Mayandi, Social Activist, Madurai
5. V. Muniyasamy, Organic Farming Activist, Ramanathapuram
6. S. Jegadesan, Tribal Activist, Pollachi
7. R. Rajaraman, Advocate, Dalit Human Right Activist, Nagai
8. S. Dhanaraj, Tribal Activist, Madurai
9. T. Marirajan, Tribal Research cum Activist, Madurai

Apology for absent:
Ms.Pappathi, Women Leader from Paliyan Tribes, Theni informed over phone to Mr. Raja her inability to participate the meeting.

1. Mr. P. Raja, member Ekta Parishad Tamilnadu, welcomed the participants and gave introductory note about the founder P.V.Rajagopalji and Ekta Parishad. In his introduction he said, Ekta Parishad is a people’s movement dedicated to non-violent principles of action. Ekta Parishad working in 11 states of India on the issue of land and livelihood rights of the marginalized communities such as tribals, Dalits, nomadic communities, agricultural labourers, small and marginal farmers, etc. Ekta Parishad is a federation of approximately 11,000 community based organizations and has thousands of individual members. Today Ekta Parishad has become a national mass movement for land rights. P.V. Rajagopal Founder of Ekta Parishad, left his village in Kerala very early in his life, to do agricultural studies at Seva Gram. In the early 70s he worked in the violence-ridden area of Chambal (Madhya Pradesh) helping to rehabilitate dacoits. In the years that followed, Rajagopal traveled to several tribal areas and developed an understanding of plight and needs of India's tribal people. Their cause became part of his lifetime mission. His initial efforts to support various grassroots initiatives resulted in two organizations, PARIVARTAN ("Change") and LEHAR ("Waves"). Later these organisations became important institutes in supporting Ekta Parishad ("United Forum"). In Ekta-Parishad, Rajagopal has helped to create an important social mass movement for the past twenty years in Madhya Pradesh and other central India states. The movement consists of over 100,000 poor people, mostly made up of landless and tribal people who have been alienated from their land or marginalized by industrialization. He believes that through ahimasak sangharsh (non-violent struggle) the rural communities of India can secure Gandhi’s vision of gram swaraj. Srijan, or the creation of a self-reliant society, is possible when community ties are strengthened through mutual respect and social equity. He is a well known Sarvodaya leader and the follower of Vinoba and JP. Presently he is a member of the National Land Reforms Council of India.
2. After the introductory note, Mr.T.Marirajan explained the objective of the meeting and its process to the participants. Mr.Dhanaraj, gave presentation about adivasi situation in Tamilnadu and the importance of implementation of Forest Right Act 2006. Mr.Mayandi facilitated the discussions and plan of actions. The following decision were taken;
a. It was decided to create new forum under Ekta Parishad Tamilnadu in-order to work among only the adivasi peoples in the Tamilnadu state by empowering them and also develop a people’s movement in the state. The group has decided to name it as “Tamilandu Adivasi Land Rights Movement” (TALRM)
b. Areas of work: Mr.Dhanaraj, explained the demographic details and the eco regions of Tamilnadu in which tribal people are scattered living in the 18 eco regions. The names of the Eco Region are as follows Eco regions in Western Ghats: 1. Pachiparai 2. Manimutharu, Kalakkadu, Mundanthurai 3. Sathurakiri, Sirumalai 4. Kuthiraimalai 5. Varusanadu 6. Bodi – Agamalai 7. Uppar and Lower Palani Hills 8. Valparai, Top Slip 9. Thirumoorthimalai, Amaravathi, Thalinchi 10. Sathiyamangalam 11. Thalavadi, Yanaikatti 12. Ooty, Kothakiri, Gudaloor, Eco Regions in Eastern ghats: 13. Kollimalai 14. Kalrayan hills 15. Pachamalai 16. Javathu Hills 17. Erkadu 18. Ellakiri hills. Based on this presentation the team had brief discussion and decided to concentrate community based eco region approach for future work plan to build work among adivasis in Tamilnadu.
c. Selection of separate Adivasi Program team for Ekta Parishad Tamilnadu: Mr. Nagalingam raised question about the structure of tribal team among existing Ekta Parisad, Tamilnadu setup. He also suggested that to form a separate Adivasi Program team from the participants who took part in this meeting today. The suggestion was well received by the participants. The following persons were elected as members, namely P.R.Raja, G.Nagalingam, S.Dhanaraj, S.Jegadesan, T.Marirajan and Pappathi (Women Leader from Paliyan Tribes). Mr.P.R.Raja elected as convener of the Committee. The committee authorized Mr. Raja to report to this development to State committee of Ekta Parishad Tamilnadu for their approval and to get their concern officially.
d. Preparation of Work Plan for 2010 – 2011 for Tamilandu Adivasi Land Rights Movement” (TALRM): Based in the discussion the team requested Mr. Marirajan to develop the work plan and circulated to the member for correction and further improvement before submission to Ekta Parishad
The meeting came to an end with vote of thanks by Mr.Jegadesan.

A letter to Kerala Ekta Parishad

2010-06-23T10:10:00.000-07:00

10th June 2010, Madurai

Dear Friends
Jai Jagt and greetings from Madurai

Hope all you know that I was given the responsibility to work as a South Indian coordinator for Ekta Parishad in-order to support Janastygraha 2012 action and its preparations. I am sure all of you are very active in your districts and regions on various programs and issues in the name of Ekta Parishad or Ekta Mahila Manch or Ekta Kala Manch or Ekta Yuva Manch. It is interesting to see all these developments in the name of Ekta Parishad and your participation and responsibility in the social issues and development activities. Through its various programs and interventions EP Kerala has created a better name in the state as a responsible organization. After the cycle yatra the direction went in to the tsunami rehabilitation project activities and same time it has created some linkages with different organizations in the state and also started directly to work among the youth, women, adivasis.

Based on this analysis we can understand that there is a great possibility in Kerala for Ekta Parishad to become a responsible social movement with its nonviolent philosophy. It will only happen if we all become serious and responsible towards the cause of EP. We need to look back and understand our strengths and weakness. A kind of SWOT analysis is needed to continue our work and we really need to go forward. I think we should come together for a day to discuss about the possibilities and to create an action plan for EP activities in Kerala at least looking Janasatygraha 2012 action as point to focus. For that a one day get together is important with all our district committee members with following agenda.

1. Review of our last seven years activities
2. Plan of Action of EP Kerala
3. Selection of a state committee
4. Other matters

Please understand clearly that Ekta Parishad as a social movement, not as a project or funding agency. In Kerala we have done substantial constructive work along with political intervention, because it was a need at that time and there was a possibility to do so. Understanding EP as social movement we can do much more to make the state responsible and change their policies to the empowerment of the poor and downtrodden.
There should be a proper membership drive in the state to understand our cadres and to should have a system. To learn EP much better please read carefully the attached document. (We may have to translate important information’s in to Malayalam or we may have to collect all the Malayalam materials that people already have created).

Please do reply your valuable suggestions, and based on that we can find a date to sit with Rajai during the month of July 2010 for a creative beginning. Also please send some activity news from your areas to include in our Ekta Parishad South Indian News Letter. You can find information’s in our Blog http://ektaparishadsouthindia.blogspot.com and you can also join in our Facebook http://www.facebook.com/search ekta parishad south india.
With thanks
Jai Jagat

K. Biju
Coordinator- Ekta Parisahd South India

Ekta Parishad - few words

2010-06-23T10:08:00.000-07:00

Ekta Parishad

Ekta Parishad provides a platform for the voices of the oppressed, the dispossessed and the marginalized communities of India. Part of its mission is to empower the tribal and dalit communities that suffer the most for India’s “growth.” By strengthening the leadership capacity of these communities, Ekta Parishad is also working to unite the fragmented struggle for equitable land distribution. For almost 20 years, Ekta Parishad has worked with these communities to help create the changes necessary to bring an end to land seizures, to ensure equitable land distribution, and to protect access to livelihood resources. Presently we are operated intensively with 11000 community based organizations in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Maharastra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Utter Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Intervention

Grassroots level

· Creation of village level organization as a key proponent of Gram Sabha (which can play a role of leader and/or opposition, depends on situation and issues)

· Develop leadership within the marginalized community for initiating grassroots movement

· Generating local resource base for sustenance of campaign (Grain Bank and Village Collectives etc)

· Capacitated local leaders/ community on their due constitutional rights.

· Intensive awareness campaign through foot march and demonstrations.

· Organizing public hearing, social auditing on local land & livelihood issues and submission of resolutions at appropriate level.

· Building level of community participation in local institutions (Gram sabha, Block panchtyat, Jila panchyat etc).

· Developing critical opposition within/beyond established institutions like Traditional Tribal Panchyats, Tribal Advisory Council etc.

· Increasing levels of people’s politics with participation in electoral processes (people’s manifesto, people’s candidate etc).

· Promote and sustained village collectives for agriculture/khadi based livelihood

State level

Engaging State for dialogue & decisions on land & livelihood issues (Task Force, State Human Rights Commission, ST-SC Commission, Tribal Advisory Council etc).
Policy advocacy for pro-poor land reforms and its ensured implementation through ‘State Land Reforms Commission’.
Preparing ‘People’s Policy on Land Reforms’ for generating mass awareness and using as a advocacy tool.
Organizing ‘Assembly of Deprived’ a parallel forum for putting people’s perspectives on political and/or priority issues.
Raising questions in ‘State Assembly’ through sensible elected representatives.
Legal interventions in courts (lower and high court) on problems of poor.
Engaging media on pro-poor issues

National level

Policy advocacy and lobbying at ministerial level for putting agenda of pro-poor land reforms.
Discussion with planning commission and other institutions on ‘People’s Policy on Land’.
Discussion forum with parliamentarians on land reforms.
Preparation and presentation of draft ‘People’s Policy on Land Reforms’.
National campaigning / demonstration with like minded organizations.
Engaging media on pro-poor issues

Future focus

Engaging Central and State government on issues of land reforms through ‘National Land Reforms Policy’ presented by National Land Reforms Committee to the Prime Minister
Engaging State for implementation of PESA (1996), Rehabilitation & Resettlement Act (2007) and Forest Rights Act (2006).
Organizing grassroots leadership training and extending area of operations.
Building capacities of local elected representatives .
Advocacy for pro-poor land reforms actions (homestead land for each homeless family, minimum land holding act for each landless family, joint land rights and ownership for women, dalit land alienation act, legalizing leasing of land for women collectives, ban on diversion of common property land and ban on diversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes etc).
Set up of ‘Peoples Commission on Land Rights’ as a critical advocacy forum on land rights at different levels.
Building action alliance with land rights movements.
Organizing national level demonstration on agenda issues

Biju Monthly Report for the month of May 2010

2010-06-04T08:48:00.000-07:00

For the month of May 2010

1. On the 1^st of May, I had a meeting with Ms. Lalitha the village work coordinator to understand CESCI village program direction for the year 2010-11. She will continue her work in the direction of economic and social empowerment of the women and children’s education. Also we are planning to expand the work in few more villages nearby the centre. She will work for creating a women’s federation with all the group members and will try to empower the group members in a leadership process. Lalitha will try to mobilize about 100 people to participate JS 2012 action.

2. Finalized the first issue of Ekta Parishd South India news letter and have started to distribute to the friends by email. It is an eight page news letter and the next issue will come in July.

3. Created a new Blog as http://ektaparishadsouthindia.blogspot.com to upload all the information’s and reports, News letters from the Ekta Parishad South India. In future any one can get the information’s directly from this blog. Similarly a new Facebook account also created for Ekta South India friends. Please join our Facebook to become a friend. http://www.facebook.com/search ekta parishad south india

4. ektasouthindia@gmail.com is the new email address which I am using for communications. Please use this new email address for further communications. CESCI related communications the cescimadurai@gmail.com will remain.

5. On the 8^th visited Trichy Mukthigram village and met some of the inhabitants and Durairaj. Informed the villagers about the need of becoming self reliant in terms of running the office building as a common village hall. Informed Durairaj to find out a new job very soon with some other agencies or independently. He will also settle the Ekta membership account with CESCI office.

6. Prepared a south Indian travel plan for Mr. Christop and Polani of Reck Film Company of Switzerland for their film project research visit during June 3^rd to 25^th. Later the plan was forwarded to Vinod bhai at Bhopal and asked him to integrate the North Indian visit part and also requested him to coordinate their visit.

7. 60 selected children’s from CESCI village children program was participated a five days summer camp called Dreams at CCD, sevaiyur during15th to 19^th May 2010. Lalitha the village work coordinator and the volunteers coordinated the summer camp with the support of CCD filed staff team.

8. Went to Kerala to meet Rajaji and also to participated the youth camp at waynad district conducted by Rajaji. There 68 people participated in this youth camp from the Kerala Adivasi Forum. The camp was held at PAVANA centre, Mananthvadi, Waynadu during 21^st to 25^th May 2010.

9. Joined the Kerala padayatra evaluation meeting at the Pavana centre on the 21^st May 2010. Generally the group felt that it was successful yatra and team strongly wish to continue their struggle by using such techniques to challenge the Govt policies. As a continuation of this process the KAF may send some people to NCAS, Pune to learn the Advocacy techniques and also make a good study about the Status of Adivaisis in Kerala with the help of some professional researchers. Rajaji will set up research committee and Fr. Stephen will follow it up. The finding of the research will be published in the leading news papers by the end of December 2010.

10. On the 23^rd may we (Rajajji & Biju) had a meeting with the Kerala Adivasi Forum (fr. Stephen, Raghvan, saradha) at PAVANA centre and have decided few major decisions in relation to the work of Adivasi Forum and Ekta Parishad in connection with strengthening the work among adivasis in Kerala.

a. Adivasi Forum will work among the adivasi communities in Kerala to empower them to get their rights and justice. Ekta parishad will not interfere with KAF and their work among the adivasi areas in Kerala as KAF is actively involved in this process and Ekta Parishad doesn’t want to repeat or compete with KAF.

b. KAF will join with Ekta parishad to create a linkage in a National Level and will join all the major action programs of EP at the national level.

c. In support to Jansatyagraha 2012 action on the issue of land KAF will participate from Kerala by bringing about 2000 adivasi’s and landless from Kerala.

d. Ekta Parishad will provide leadership training to 1000 cadres of KAF on Advocacy, constructive action programs, etc.

e. Ekta Parishad will provide exposure and linkage to KAF with the other states in India in-order to strengthen their struggles on land issues.

f. KAF can deal with Mr. Biju, EP South India coordinator to continue their relation and communication development with EP at national level.

11. On the 23^rd evening participated in the Inaugural function of Kerala anti liquor campaign vehicle yatra at Malappuram, Kerala. Swami Satchidanada bharathi will lead this dharma Sandesa yatra from the 23^rd to 5^th June travelling all around kerala and will end at Trivandrum. Shri. Rajaji inaugurated the yatra by giving a flag to the Swamy who is leading this important message for the recovery of kerala from the clutches of liquor demon.

12. I also spent some time to help Rajaji to draft his email replies and some reports in connection with our work.

13. In a meeting with KGNS, it was decided to start a new organisation at Kollam district where ekta parishad was very active in support to tsunami rehabilitation work. Ms. Benzy was instructed to coordinate this process with the help of KGNS. Later she came with a proposal to create the new organisation as “ekta centre for rural development” ECRD.

14. There are some works are pending under the KGNS and it was decided to list out the pending activities and Mr. Suresh the office secretary will follow it up.

15. In a discussion with Rajaji, he asked me to take more responsible in the SAPA activities in south India keeping CESCI and IGINP as a base to work for it. Similarly we also had a discussion about to bring 5000 people from the south for JS 2012. I am working on that and trying to list out a group of 10 leaders who can bring 500 people and also 100 leaders who can bring 50 people. (May be we have to change our system here in south differently like 25 leader x 250 people = 5,000) any how I am trying to figure out various possibilities to this task.

16. Under Ekta Parishad Tamilnadu a new forum was initiated as Tamilnadu Adivasi Land Rights Movement (TALRM), to work among the tribal’s in the state. Mr. Raja who is heading this new initiative and has organised a one day meeting at CESCI with a small team of social activists and intellectuals to prepare a working plan for the year 2010-11. At the end of the meeting the group came out with a good proposal to create adivasi movement in tamilnadu and will be participated 5000 people to Janasatyagraha 2012 action at Delhi. This needs support from Ekta Parishad to continue the work in the state.

17. Did some follow up work with European contacts by sending emails to some of them? Ms. Caroline Morel of Swissaid is asking us to contact Mr. David Kadam: david@swissaidindia.org of Swissaid for further communication in-order to create linkage with them. Secondly Yvonne of Solifonds will meet Rajaji on the 21^st June while he visits Switzerland. Mamaji has agreed to send some money about EUR 5,000 to the south Indian coordination work to CESCI Madurai account and have agreed to collect some more money.

Biju Monthly Report for the month of April 10

2010-06-04T08:46:00.000-07:00

For the month of April 2010

1. On my arrival back after three months visit in Europe i had a meeting with Rajaji at CESCI on the 5th of April 2010. In this meeting I was given responsibility of Ekta Parishad South India coordination along with CESCI Centre coordinator work. We have drafted a EP south Indian project perspective for the year 2010-11. (a copy of the same is available). In-order to work as a South Indian coordinator, it is important to get the ekta parishad national coordination support, for that a letter was forwarded to the national convener to seek his support and help.

2. It was decided to change CESCI India news letter as Ekta Parishad South India News letter, to begin the process of South Indian EP coordination work. An editorial was drafted by Rajaji and Biju will collect and include other news items of South India and will send it out the friends by electronically by the end of April.

3. Minutes of CESCI committee meeting (5th April 2010) was prepared with some important decisions. (copy is available at office)

4. Biju will complete his Europe visit report by the end of April and will forward to the national convener and Rajaji for further follow up. (Report forwarded- so far no response from any one except Jill madam)

5. In-order to support JS 2012 action CESCI can offer a carnival workshop in November 2010 instead of theatre festival. We can invite 100 activists and train them to make a Carnival before the JS action on the route Gwalior to Delhi and during the JS action. Raja will develop a concept and plan in consultation with the resource persons. We need a confirmation from the EP national team to organise such a carnival workshop at MGSA resource centre in November 2010.

6. On 10th April I had a meeting with Mr. Udayan and Mr. Suresh Babu at KGNS office. They were just back from the tsunami filed visit and have a impression that the project should continue as a separate federation or a small organisation by empowering the team. EP has done substantial work in the field of the tsunami area and it is important to continue the work by empowering the team and it is also not easy to withdraw from that villages. KGNS will continue its work in the direction of networking with its nine partner organisations, adivasi and land agenda, tsunami rehabilitation, women empowerment, youth mobilization and anti liquor campaign in Kerala. They have money available for three months for some limited activities and need support to continue the work. Jill madams have formulated some five proposals and are waiting for its response from the donor agencies.

7. A group of 20 Teachers from SAWRD (a partner organisation of KGNS) wanted to participate a Nai Talim training program at CESCI Madurai. IGINP can invite these teachers to participate in their regular non-violence and peace programs. (discussed with Dr. JP ji and decided to organise the training during 14,15,16 May at CESCI).

8. Visited CESCI organics on 14-15 of April along with Dr.Razak (Algerian Vetinary doctor) to understand its progress. The oil unit is fully functioning now and it need further investments to continue the work. Razak has prepared a small report with some photographs and it can be forwarded to Solidarity along with account report.

9. Razak has visited CESCI villages along with Lalitha and found out that the possibility to integrate animal husbandry as a income generation activity for the village community. He has developed a small proposal in this direction to benefit 20 farmers from the beginning. (copy of the proposal is available at CESCI office)

10. On 16th April, i had a meeting with Mr.Raja of ARUDECS. He is interested to work for EP by working among the paliya tribals. Throgh this process he wants to bring about 2000 people to JS 2012 action. He need some scholarship and program support. He will get Rs 3,000/- per month from April onwards to this task. He is in a process of developing a program proposal in this direction. There will be a separate committee for working on Adivasi agenda and will focus JS 2012 mobilization and participation.

11. Participated KGNS board meeting on 28th and 29th to understand the program direction of EP kerala. KGNS will move in a direction in to women leadership empowerment with its network partners and federation groups with a perspective on socio-economic development. The newly elected executive committee will have 19 members (16 network members + 3 individuals).

12. On the 29th afternoon we had a EP Kerala workers meeting along with Jill madam. (Suresh, Vijayan, Mhalaxmi, Anu Srija, Vasu waynad, Biju, Jill madam).

a. Mahalaxmi will continue her work among the tsunami project area and will try to mobilze people to participate JS 2012 action. She is planning to bring about 200 people to Delhi in this direction. She need support in terms of programs and finance. Udayan and Suresh babu will visit her project area and will help her to develop a program plan.

b. Srija is planning to bring about 500 people to JS 2012 from EP kerala Mahila manch working areas. She also needs program and financial support. Srija will organise a MM leaders meeting and will develop a plan of action for the year 2010-11 and will forward to the EP MM national office and Jill madam.

A Message from Justice V.R.Krishna Iyer

2010-05-14T10:06:00.000-07:00

CESCI Organics oil processing unit Visit Report- By Dr.Razak

2010-05-14T09:39:00.000-07:00

Mr. Natarajan is the new Project Manager since last October (15^th of October 2009). Mr. Natarajan, had improved the relationship with the hostile neighbouring population. He is a very talkative person and doesn’t hesitate to talk with the neighbours, to listen to them and explain the meaning of the project each time the possibility came.

He is fully involved in the oil processing unit, which is the only lasting activity of CESCI organic project (all the other activities had been stopped, to focus on the processing unit and start the production as soon as possible).

There are two buildings; Building 1 at the entrance; used as office and to host the team and any guest. Building 2, where the machines of the oil processing unit are installed is situated at a distance of 100 meter from the entrance. A telephone connection is available

Establishment of a connection with the electric network:

Mr. Natarajan has approached the Panchayat to register the building in order to have a door number. After paying the different taxes, the Panchayat accorded a door number and approved the future economic activity. That was in November 2009.

Once the door number was accorded, Mr. Natarajan approached the competent authority and sent a request for a connection to the electricity network. A triple line phase is needed for the oil processing unit. An initial deposit of Rs.13.500 was asked to study the request. An engineer of the District came and made an estimation for the triple phase line for the oil processing unit. The amount to be paid was Rs.42.000.

The Nagapatinam district had accorded a triple line phase and the real connection with the electric network has been established at the end of February 2010.

The inner wiring had been finished on March 20^th, 2010 and so the connection of the different machines to the electric power network.

Acquisition of the machines:

The 4 machines have been purchased in 3 different places.

1 Decorticator machine => from Dindigal district on December 2009,
2 Rotary machines Tricharaparalli district, on mid-December 2009,
1 Oil filter machine from Selam district, on February 2010.

The installation of the 4 machines was achieved on the end of February 2010.

Once the machines were installed, the connection to the electric network was established and the inner wiring installation finished and made a first trial test on the 31^st of March 2010. A bag of 40kg of groundnut was processed successfully. A second trial test on the 6 of April 2010 by Mr. Natarajan was also successful.

According to Mr. Natarajan, the marketing of the oil and other products (like groundnut cake) is not at all a problem, and the access to the market is easy. He added that there is a big demand in Chennai, which is 4 hours distant form Nagapattinam District.
Oil Processing activity:

The project manager will make an announcement by speaker in the different villages surrounding (at a distance of 20km) for the 450 farmers cultivating groundnut; to announce that the processing unit activity will start soon.

There will not be a formal contract between the farmers and the processing unit. He had prepared a notice for the farmers and he will distribute it this week for the farmers. He will go himself to meet the farmers at the village level to introduce the activities of the processing unit and the different services for the farmers.

The capacity of the processing unit: 8 bags of groundnut /1 hour

6 bags of neem seeds/ 1 hour

Rhythm of activity: 8 to 10 hours/day

150 kg for the crushing

According to M. Natarajan, the harvesting season will start soon, and he is planning to purchase 100 bags of groundnut (each bag has a capacity of 40kg) from the surrounding farmers.

The oil processing unit will also process neem seeds. The Decorticator machine will be use both for crushing groundnut and neem seeds, while one of the two rotary machines will be exclusively used for groundnut.

Need of investment:

For a better accommodation, there is a need to;

Transform the two shower rooms in bathrooms with toilet.
Construction of stairs in the processing unit building, so there will be a possibility to build a toilet under the stairs.
A construction of bore well (the well and also plumbing needed).

By: Dr. Razak

One year Diploma in Nonviolence and Peace

2010-05-14T09:37:00.000-07:00

Announcement

International Gandhian Institute for Nonviolence and Peace (IGINP) is inviting applications for joining a one year diploma course in Nonviolence and peace through distance education. Those who are interested to join please contact Dr. S. Jeyapragsam, director, IGINP to his email: majabetsy@gmail.com

Expansion of CESCI Village work

2010-05-14T09:35:00.000-07:00

Lalitha the village work coordinator explained that the works going on in the villages around CESCI are progressing well in different directions like Women, Children, Employment generation etc. Based on this experience report the committee of CESCI has decided to approve the idea of slowly expanding the work into another four more villages and also linking different institutions with village program. Dr. Razak a veterinary doctor from Algeria was with us for about two weeks and visited some villages with Lalitha and also found that the villagers can make use animal husbandry as a good income generation activity. Based on his visit to the villages he formulated a proposal in the direction to help 20 farmers in animal husbandry. Those who are interested to support this needy project and to get a copy of the proposal please contact Mr. Biju, the coordinator (cescimadurai@gmail.com)

Endorsement Letter

2010-05-14T09:34:00.000-07:00

Endorsement Letter

Dear friends

First of all let me thank you for all the support that you gave me personally as well as to Ekta Parishad in organizing a long march of 25,000 people from Gwalior to Delhi I October 2007. It was your support that made the march a successful action.

Though a National land Reform Council was established as a result of this long march I am sorry to inform you that the council was not able to deliver an effective land reform policy. The Forest Rights Act announced immediately after the march is also not implemented properly.

Ekta Parishad has decided to raise this issue again through mass mobilization. A foot march will begin from Orissa on the 2^nd of October 2011 and will reach Gwalior after covering a distance of about 6000 Kms. One lakh people are joining at Gwalior on the 2^nd of October 2012 for a long march to Delhi.

Needless to state that, the Ekta Parishad cannot do it unless we receive your active support. You can support Janasathyagraha 2012 in the following ways.

By endorsing the march.

By sending people from your organization to participate.

By circulating the news about the march to friends and media.

By organizing support programs in your district in October 2012.

By sending a donation to support the action.

By sending a letter to prime minister of India to implement pro poor policies announced by the Govt.

By joining this campaign as a full timer for the next two years.

I hope you will understand that the anti-poor policies that are being promoted in the name of development need to be challenged by the people of India cutting across party level. I am sure I will receive your full support in organizing Janasathyagraha 2012.

With warm regards

Rajagopal. P.V

Biju Europe Visit Report- Abstract

2010-05-13T21:06:00.000-07:00

It was a great opportunity for me to travel to Europe to gain knowledge and comprehend Ekta Parishad from a distance as well as to upgrade my awareness about Ekta Parishad activities. While travelling in Europe I learned that there are a lot of people showing interest in the work of Ekta Parishad and looking at EP as a magnificent model to change the present situation of the world. During this three month travel time, I got an opportunity to meet many old and new friends of Ekta Parishad from Switzerland, France, Belgium and Germany.

In the first part of my stopover, most of the time I was in Switzerland. Till the end of January I was in the city of Bern (the federal capital of Switzerland) where CESCI foundation was organizing the India Forum program for three weeks in support to JS 2012 promotion. It was an exhibition with rice called ‘All The People In All The World’ along with other particular programs like podium discussions on food security, Janadesh video shows, an introduction to Ekta Parishad and CESCI, meeting with school children, general discussions, and Indian dance etc. About 1700 people visited this Indian forum rice show program. Through this India forum, there was a good opportunity for us to meet and talk with many people about Ekta Parishad and JS 2012.

While I was in Bern I had a brief discussion with Ms. Iyvonne of Solifunds about their financial support to the EP Kerala activities and in general Ekta Parishad, Janadesh 2007 and our future action JS 2012. Based on this discussion she has agreed to support a small action (about the same amount like last year) in any part of India in support to Janasathyagraha for the 2011-2012 year.

Similarly I also had a small meeting with the friends from Swiss Aid while we were at the podium discussion at the India forum program. Swiss Aid is also interested to support EP programs in the direction to JS 2012 action.

Second part of my main program was visiting some French organisations in the cities of Grenoble, Lyon and Chambery. In these cities EP is relatively popular and most of the people know very well Ekta Parishad and Rajaji. Even in far away villages, I have seen people who knew Rajaji and are inspired by the work of EP. The French organisations I visited were trying to get some inputs from Ekta Parishad to organise foot marches in France on the issue of homeless people in France. They have many social centres there to help the homeless people supported by the city government. But the social groups are demanding the Govt to change their housing policies to benefit the needy people and secure the habitation. Mr. Adrian will come to India to learn about the youth camp and mobilization from Ekta Parishad and he is already in communication with Elodi in this regard. Mr. Manu Bodiner is a good friend of Rajaji and he was coordinating the Gandhi tour program in the October 2009 at the cities of Grenoble, Lyon and Chambery etc. He is interested to support EP and its activities.

The last two weeks of February I came again to Switzerland. During these weeks I visited many friends and small groups who are already part of our EP family. I can see the interest and enthusiasm of the people here and they strongly believe that EP can do something very great to change the situation of the poor people and secure the food security in India and become a model to the world to change. Towards this end they see the importance of each and every action and program. For example, in support of JS 2012 and future action programs of EP, setting up a media centre in India is something very important in the international context. In this connection they are trying to find very good quality volunteers like Boris to help and to create a national-international communication platform through media work. They have a long list of volunteers in their file to work for the development of media centre in India in support to JS 2012.

Teachers like Eva Sutter and her friends are very much interested to support Ekta Parishad. In support of Janadesh, their school Bullach Kantons Schule organised a big foot print action and raised some money to support our action. Even after two years of Janadesh, they are still keeping the information in their notice board about Janadesh and its results. It is so interesting to see such beautiful things here far away from India. The teachers are highly concerned and they want to continue their support to Ekta Parishad.

Similarly teachers from the Zurich International School wanted to support Ekta Parishad and its programs. They came to know EP through the film by Hans Jurg. Maggie organised a meeting with some of the teachers and the students of this school. The school may organise some events to raise some money to support JS 2012 action programs.

Franziska of Reck Film Company wanted to make a film on EP. In this regard we had a discussion with their film company along with Kude. They wanted to visit India and to meet people from the villages who have benefited of EP intervention. Mr. Christoph Staub may visit to India in June 2010 and would like to visit Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa, Chattisgarh, Tamilnadu and Kerala in this connection.

Mr. Karl Saurer, the filmmaker, wants to continue his film production work with Mr. Gautham of Chennai on the theme of non-violent action.

CESCI friends (Barbara, her husband Urs, Andrea Herold, Margrit Buchi, etc) from St. Gallen organized a wonderful meeting with a group of about 50 people. Mr. Bruno the co-architect of CESCI building was also there in the meeting. It was so nice to see such good friends of Maja and their support to our good work. The Tamil and Swiss friends came together and cooked a wonderful dinner for the meeting and have collected some money to support JS 2012.

In support of promoting Tamil and Swiss peoples’ integration in Switzerland, Kude is planning a theatre production with the children of his theatre company called Purpur. In connection with this production we had a meeting with a small group of theatre personalities. Theatre artist Mr. Shanmugaraja from Tamilnadu, may be invited to Switzerland to reproduce the play like Chippichung (CESCI village children’s play) with Swiss Tamil children’s.

Para theatre is another theatre form that performed with the participation of the audience. It is a way of story telling (maybe for us to talk about the problems of the world) with the audience. The performance will happen the whole night or throughout the day like a casual life. We may have to train our people during the theatre festival programs to enhance their knowledge of such theatre activities.

Basel carnival was another major attraction for me and it makes me to think to make use of our padayatras partially with this kind of carnival style. When we organize such huge rallies, these kind of carnival costumes and colours may give us media attraction and we can make use of this as an opportunity to imitate the politician’s false promises and the real people’s problems.

Sarah Hammerli is a student from Thune and she got interested in Ekta Parishad through one of her family friends called Mrs.Ingrid. As part of her studies she has decided to do her MATHURA on the topic of CESCI and EP relations for social change. She has collected a lots of materials and made many data collection forms at the Indian forum at Bern. She may become a good contact for EP Europe in future.

In March I traveled to Belgium and Germany to meet more people in those countries to talk about our work in India. In Belgium Jacques Vellut took me in to cities like Bruxels, Louve de nouve, Namur and Liege. There I got opportunity to meet many interesting alternative groups like slow food groups, slow travel groups, simplicity living groups, and many wonderful personalities. One day, I had an opportunity to share a dais with the great writer and the ex Iranian minister Mr. Majid Rehnama (who wrote the book –power of poor) and Mr. Thierry G Verhelst, writer (No Life without Roots) in a podium discussion about poverty. I can see that Mr. Jacques Vellut and his friends are spending lots of their time and energy to support Ekta Parishad and its activities. Mr. Alan, Ms. Emiline, Ms. Alina, Mr. Dominique, and there are many other friends are very much interested to come to India and participate in the programs with EP. Ms. Daniele from alternative voyage is an interested woman to collaborate with EP to organize trips to the Indian villages to benefit the villagers directly and create connections with the village community. She is doing this type of program with South American countries for the last 10 years. Along with alternative travel they are trying to preserve the local traditional artisan skills and knowledge of the local community. There is Peace University in Namur, where Mr. Luc (who visited CESCI in February this year with a small Belgium team) has some connections. There is a possibility to connect IGINP project with this Namur peace university and people here badly needed the philosophy of non-violence in their daily life.

From Belgium I came to Cologne, Germany. Dr. Julius Reubke and Dr. Susanne Reubke was my host there; they have created a supporting group in Germany called friends of Ekta Parishad. Dr. Julius Reubke has just arrived from Thailand, therefore he didn’t have much time to call or organise various meetings. Here I got some time to really interact with Dr. Julius Reubke and understand their expectations from Ekta Parishad to the world. He is in a process of writing one more book about the work of Ekta Parishad. We were discussing the different dimensions and beauty of EP in the direction of understanding my perspective on Ekta Parishad. From the discussion I understand that, people still have too much dependency on Rajaji for various functions of the organization. It is something is to be handled in a responsible way. So we have to really take the responsibility and have to share the information and have to develop the leadership in all levels to continue the work of Ekta Parishad.

On the 26, 27^th of March, I participated in the EE meeting at Geneva. This was a good opportunity for me to get to know all the wonderful people who are supporting the work of EP. (There will be separate minutes available for this meeting).

Coming back to Zurich in the last part of my visit, with Maggie I met Ms. Rahel at the ETH university with a group of students of the anthropology department. Rahel was in CESCI during August 2009 with a Swiss students group and she got inspired by the work of CESCI. She has organized some fundraising programs in her university and has collected some money for the CESCI village program activities. In the meeting Maggie and I made a brief presentation about Ekta Parishad and JS 2012 action followed by a video presentation. Rahel and her friends group are very active and serious and I am sure she will be a good contact for the work of EP.

Finally in a discussion with Kude I was asked to carry two important messages to Rajaji concerning the vision to develop the dream project: an Ekta Media Centre and an Ekta Media Manch. The Ekta media Centre can be established in Gwalior or in Bhopal. It will be a service and production centre for all media work within Ekta Parishad and for the media world in India and in the global network. Under the banner of Ekta Media Manch, a Media Festival can be organized with various media people and social activists are interested and capable to understand and implement the media work on the grass root level.

Carrying all these wonderful experiences and beautiful memories with me, I left for India from the Zurich airport on the 2nd of April with Emirates air lines via Dubai and arrived in Madurai safely.

I am thankful to the whole family of Ekta Parishad for providing me with this great opportunity to travel to Europe, all the friends of CESCI foundation, Switzerland and Ekta Europe who happily provided food and shelter during my stay and made use of my time and spared their valuable time to keep me busy towards the common cause.

K. Biju

EP South India Perspective towards 2012

2010-05-13T21:05:00.000-07:00

Participation form south India in Janadesh was very limited. The total number of people who participated was less than 1000 and the states which were represented were only Tamilnadu and Kerala.

Our hope is to change this situation in 2012 by increasing the participation of people as well as the number of states.

Biju has taken over as a coordinator of South India and he will try to promote strategies in-order to make the south Indian participation more effective while strengthening the ongoing work in Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Pondychery and Kerala to network other organizations and link them to the 2012 efforts.

Because of the Forest Rights Act, it will be important to focus on networking with adivasi organizations in south India. With the help of Ms.Lillikutty and Ms.Srija, we will explore various possibilities in Kerala to involve women. The land agenda can be an important area for their coming together.

Youth mobilization among the middle class needs to be promoted to try to get schools and universities to involve young people in 2012. Swami Satchidananda, Dr.William Bhaskaran, Dr. S. Jeyapragasam, Dr. Vijayam of Vijayawada, Shri. Prabhat of NCRI, Dr. Kulandai Swami of Chennai are all good contacts in this context.

Involving dalit organizations in the next action will be important as dalit issues are forcefully articulated in south India. The relationship between dalit issues and landlessness can be an agenda to increase the dalits’ involvement in JS 2012 action. We will contact dalit organizations directly and also through Aadi Tamil Viduthalai Iyyakam which is a strong dalit movement in Tamilnadu.

Other than the above, major groups we will also contact include artists, media people, as well as political leaders in order to enlist their support to the next action.

Editorial for News letter issue no:1

2010-05-13T21:03:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends

Biju our sub editor of CESCI India News Letter has just returned to India after a long trip in Europe. He has returned with a lot of new ideas and new contacts. At the first meeting after his arrival, we have taken some major decisions:

1. Our work in south India needs to expand beyond Tamilnadu and Kerala and should include Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Pondychery.

2. There should be a large participation from south India in Jansatyagraha 2012.

3. Biju will be appointed as our South India Coordinator to shape the climate for 2012 action. He will network with various dalit, women, adivasi, and youth organizations in south India.

As a result, the newsletter from now on will be called Ekta Parisahd South India News and I am sure you will enjoy reading more about all of south India and also being informed about our activities in this part of the world.

Geographical expansion demands more resources for training young people, more resources for supporting activist and more resources for travel. Your support is always welcome. Please contact us for information and we will get back to you with details.

Rajagopal.P.V

Peoples’ Energy for Nonviolent Action

2010-05-13T21:01:00.000-07:00

Jan Satyagraha is built on Janadesh. The idea is to direct peoples’ power to bring about policy change the larger level. The idea is also to direct peoples’ energy for nonviolent action. Making the State accountable is a task that needs to be addressed across the globe. Generally people are active at the time of election. Janadesh and Jan Satyagraha are based on an understanding among the people need to be vigilant and active all the time. A vibrant democracy can become a reality only when the people are constantly active in driving the government to the needs of the deprived section of the society.

In a globalizing world like many other countries India is also an active player. The democratically elected government is compromising the interest of Adivasis, Dalits and Poor people of India in order to create wealth for the rich and powerful. This is opposite to the theory of Mahatma Gandhi whom we project as Father of the Nation. In the recent past many policies are formulated in a way that the natural resources get transferred to national multinational companies and the poor people are forced to migrate to the cities and slums. Basically this is the development model that Jan Satyagraha is to challenge while organizing people for nonviolent action. We are also giving various proposals to the government for consideration. Basically the demands are to redistribute land the landless who are agricultural labourers and also to reformulate various anti poor policies to reduce the burden of development on the poor.

Though the action is going to be in India we have a re-concern about world community. Poverty being a larger issue we cannot leave the responsibility of addressing the issue only to the government. The civil society need to develop ideas and methods to address this issue of poverty with and without government. So the proposed action in India will have dimensions that may help the world communities to shape and reshape their strategies.

I think it is important for the thinkers, actors and decision makers to come together not only to look at the world problems but also to find solutions in a participatory manner.

Rajagopal. P.V