As many as 10 tribal social organisations have decided to jointly launch a campaign called “Ek Soch” (a thought) in creating awareness at panchayat level about the BJP-led Union government’s alleged violation of the rights of tribals, Dalits and minorities in the state and the country and the blatant misuse of laws to harass rights activists.
At a meeting held on Sunday evening at Bihar Club in Ranchi, over 50 representatives unanimously decided that the arrest of Jesuit priest and tribal rights activist Father Stan Swamy, 83, by the National Investigation Agency on fabricated charges, denial of bail and delay in grant of permission to use a straw and sipper cup for drinking to a person suffering from Parkinson’s disease has exposed the Centre’s desperation against those who raise voices for tribal, minorities and Dalits. They said people at village level need to be made aware about the government’s agenda.
“With the turn of events in the country especially the arrest of Father Stan Swamy, who has always been vocal for tribal rights, we felt that it is high time that all like-minded organisations join hands to launch a joint campaign and make people aware about the real intent of the current central government. The people, be it tribals, minorities or Dalits, need to be made aware of their rights enshrined in the Constitution and also how the government is misusing the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act to target rights activists. We will be reaching to almost every panchayat in Jharkhand and inform the people,” said tribal women rights defender and senior functionary of the Adivasi Adhikar Manch, Aloka Kujur.
Former tribal advisory council (TAC) member Ratan Tirkey, who was appointed secretary of the Ek Soch campaign, told The Telegraph that reaching out to the masses was the need of the hour.
“Merely holding dharnas, forming human chains and holding agitation would not serve the purpose. The people who stand to be affected by the central government’s agenda need to be informed about it. The Ek Soch campaign hopefully will do that in Jharkhand,” said Tirkey.
He said meetings would be held at the gram sabha level in the nearly 4,200 panchayats across the state.
The members decided to observe November 26 as constitution day and December 10 as human rights day across the state. A meeting would be held at Bagaicha, the residence of Fr Swamy, on Tuesday to chalk out a course of action.
Fr Swamy was arrested by the NIA on October 8 night from his residence near Ranchi and produced before a special court in Mumbai. He was remanded to judicial custody at Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai for his alleged involvement in the Bhima Koregaon incident and links with Maoist outfits.
His bail petition was rejected by the special court on October 22.
Leaders of almost all prominent Opposition parties, including Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren and his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan, have condemned the arrest.