RAIPUR: Tribal communities in Chhattisgarh have called for a boycott of the National Tribal Dance Festival, to be organized from November one to three, even as the opposition BJP urged the state government to cancel the event in the light of resentment among tribals after ST reservation in jobs and educational institutions dwindled from 32% to 20% following a recent High Court decision.
Chhattisgarh Sarva Adivasi Samaj, an umbrella organization of various tribal bodies, has announced boycott of the three-day dance festival, alleging that the state government doesn’t seem to be honest in preserving 32% reservation of tribal communities. Similarly, the Samaj strongly opposed the state government’s decision to end cent percent priority to local youths in the government jobs in the notified areas of Bastar, Surguja and Bilaspur divisions.
In a memorandum addressed to the chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, the Sarva Adivasi Samaj highlighted the issues being faced by the tribal communities and urged the government to take immediate steps to resolve the impasse arising out of the high court decision, setting aside 58% reservation holding that any reservation about 50% is unconstitutional.
Samaj patron Arvind Netam told TOI that the insensible approach on the part of state government in presenting facts before the High court has resulted in setback for the tribals as their reservation declined from 32% to 20%. He said the general administration department did not issue any guidelines and the cabinet meeting on October 17 did not take any effective measure for restoring 32% reservation for STs. This has deprived tribal youth of employment and education benefits, the former union minister said.
Pointing out that there is no point in any celebration when tribals are being deprived of their legitimate benefits, Netam said dance groups from tribal districts will not be sent to the dance festival and a non-cooperation movement would continue till 32% reservation is restored. The Adivasi Samaj has already announced to stage an economic blockade in the state on November 15 on the reservation issue.
Netam said that the state government has also snatched ‘jal-jungle-jameen’ of the tribals by diluting the PESA law. “We cannot be part of an event arranged by the state government for entertainment in the form of a tribal dance festival at the cost of tribals’ interest,” said Netam.
Meanwhile, former minister and tribal leaders Kedar Kashyap, BJP ST Morcha state president Vikas Maryam, party’s media co-incharge Anurag Agrawal, spokespersons Nalineesh Thokne and Deepak Mahaske told media that the party demands the cancellation of the tribal dance festival which will witness participation of over 1500 tribal artists including artists from nine other countries.
The opposition party has come in support of the Sarva Adivasi Samaj’s decision to boycott the festival. Taking a dig at chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, the BJP leaders said that the chief minister has no time to listen to the tribals who have been running from pillar to post to protect their rights.
Kashyap also slammed the state government for politicizing the death of the Chhattisgarh Assembly’s deputy speaker Manoj Mandavi. He said that 200 people each from every panchayat were called to a meeting held at Charama in memory of Mandavi. The programme was turned into a political event, he alleged.
