The Niyamgiri Struggle began in 2004 when mining rights were granted to Vedanta Alumina, ignoring environmental & human rights concerns. The Dongria Kondhs are still fighting a never ending battle to protect their livelihood. 🧵
Prepared by - @lokeshbag67 & @SanjayKumarKHR
Here's how the village priestess (Bejuni) of the Dongria Kondh expressed her thoughts on the battle against Vedanta. (1/18)
Lada Sikaka, a prominent leader of the tribal community and the primary voice for the Dongria Kondh people, has been arrested on multiple occasions by the police in efforts to disrupt the momentum of the Niyamgiri movement. (2/18)
The Dongria Kondh tribe became a source of inspiration for many when they successfully won a battle against mining giant Vedanta Alumina. (3/18)
Fiery speech of Lada Sikaka from 2010. (4/18)
Because of the determined protests by the Dongria Kondh & the widespread support, the Indian govt sent a group of experts to the Niyamgiri Hills in 2010. The experts concluded that Vedanta's plan to mine bauxite would seriously harm the Dongria Kondh people. (5/18)
Soon after, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh halted the project. Months later, the Environment Ministry rejected Vedanta's refinery expansion plan. (6/18)
Fueled by their determination, the Dongria Kondh escalated their resistance against the company's pursuits, orchestrating extensive protests and mobilizations. (7/18)
In a significant verdict upholding tribal rights in India, the Supreme Court made a historic ruling on April 18, 2013. It dismissed the appeal to lift the mining ban & declared that the Dongria Kondh would decide if they want to allow mining project. (8/18)
Before they even got permission to mine, the company showed that they like to avoid following rules. They built a refinery in Lanjigarh and kept going with their plans, even though they were only allowed to do it if they didn't use forested areas. (9/18)
The Dongria Kondh villagers attribute skin ailments, livestock illnesses, and agricultural losses to pollution stemming from the refinery. The primary waste output of this facility, a hazardous sludge known as 'red mud,' dries into a fine dust under the sun's rays. (10/18)
A poem by Akhila Naik (Dalit writer). (11/18)
Lingaraj Azad, an activist and a Dalit, holds the position of advisor within the Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti. (12/18)
At the Niyamgiri hills, the Dongria Kondh community assembled for their yearly festival. However, amidst persistent mining threats, these gatherings echo songs that highlight an increasing urgency to safeguard their land and community. (13/18)
The state govt is trying to privatize Dongria Kondh land for corporate use through an “eco tourism project” at Arishakani village, Kurli Gram Panchayat, with a budget of Rs one crore. (14/18)
On 6th August, the police lodged an FIR against nine people including Lada Sikaka and Drenju Krisika, Lingaraj Azad, British Kumar, and poet Lenin Kumar who has been in solidarity with the movement. They have been charged under various sections of UAPA and that of IPC. (15/18)
FIR PAGE 3 &4. (16/18)
A writ of habeas corpus was filed in the High Court to produce Krushna Sikaka & Bari Sikaka. As a result, while police released Bari Sikaka & made him reach his village, Krushna Sikaka was shown to be arrested under the charge of a rape case filed way back in 2018. (17/18)
At present, a total of 9 Dalit - Adivasi activists have been implicated under the UAPA and various sections of the IPC, with 2 of them already being arrested.(18/18)
As the 77th Independence Day approaches, here's what Babasaheb had to say about the wrong approach towards Independence.
As a Member for Labour, GOI, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar talked on 'Why Indian Labour is determined to win this war' From the Bombay Station of A.I.R.
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“Labour is aware that, if this is a war against the New Nazi Order, it is not a war for the Old Order. It is a war on both the Old Order and the Nazi Order..."
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"...Labour is aware that the only compensation for the cost of this war is the establishment of a New Order in which liberty, equality, and fraternity will not be mere slogans but will become facts of life."
Remembering the Bahujan Rebel Queen:
Honoring Phoolan Devi on her 60th Birth Anniversary. Her fearless spirit continues to inspire us. #PhoolanDevi60 #BahujanRebelQueen
Thread prepared by @lokeshbag67
Phoolan, born in a low caste, daughter of a poor fisherman, defied societal norms with courage. Phoolan was born into the Mallah caste, in the small village of Ghura Ka Purwa (also spelled Gorha ka Purwa) in Jalaun District, Uttar Pradesh.
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Phoolan remained unaware that their caste was the root cause of their poverty.
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A snippet of the interview of Dr. Ambedkar by Mr. Bevarali Nikolas.
Mr. Nikolas's ability (and sarcasm) for describing the remarkable Dr. Ambedkar is pure gold. Plus, discover what profound insights Dr. Ambedkar has to share on Mr. Gandhi.
A thread.🧵 1/5
Mr. Bevarali Nikolas interviewed Dr. B. R. Ambedkar when he became a member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council. He recorded his interview in his book “Verdict on India” published in the year 1944.
A thread.🧵 2/5
"Dr. Ambedkar, in the eyes of most of the 180 million Caste Hindus is ‘Untouchable’, As a result, he is one of the best hated man in India" Mr. Bevarali Nikolas Added