‘Bharat Bandh’ called by Tribals and Dalits on March 5

Guwahati, March 3, 2019:

To protest against the Supreme Court Order that paved the way for eviction of tribal and forest-dwelling families from their areas of inhabitation, the Tribals and Dalits nationwide have called a ‘Bandh’ on March 5.

The Tribals have demanded that the Supreme Court immediately bring forth an ordinance to protect their rights, as stated in the Forest Rights Act. They also demand that the STs, SCs and OBCs get better opportunities in the country.

The call for mobilization was made in tribal-populated states and also on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. The Dalits too have extended their support to the cause.

It is expected that the ‘Bandh’ will be a peaceful one and it will be led by the tribals residing in states like Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal, Jharkhand and states in the Northeast.

It is to be mentioned that the Supreme Court had issued an order directing the eviction of 11.8 lakh forest dwellers.