Rahul milks Kondhs

The Pioneer, Aug 27, 2010
Bikash Khemka, Bhawanipatna

Exploiting the halt on Vadanta's march to the hilt, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi reaped rich dividends from Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh's move in Odisha. Taking all the credit and political mileage of the Vedanta misery, Rahul said the tribals of the area had pleaded with him to save their sacred mountain, Niyamgiri, as they worship it as their god.

Rahul Gandhi was addressing a public meeting of over 10,000 on the Tribal Rights Day at Kendubardi village of Lanjigarh block.

Recalling his last visit to Ijurpa village in the Lanjigarh area of Kalahandi district two years ago, Gandhi said the Dongria Kondhs and other tribes had alleged before him about acquisition of their land rights and destruction of the Niyamgiri hill. Remembering the place where the tribals had met him, he said there was a cottage where the tribes had appealed to him to save their sacred mountain and livelihood.

Gandhi's visit assumed political significance in view of the Centre's rejection of the State Government's recommendation for bauxite mining by Vedanta at the Niyamgiri hill.

Rahul Gandhi, who had last time committed that he would be the soldier of the tribals in New Delhi, said it was after his return that the voices of tribals were reaching up to New Delhi and even at international level. He praised the tribals for peaceful protests for their rights.

Comparing the rich and the poor, he said there are two Hindustans: One is for the rich and the other for the poor. While the voice of the rich can be noticed easily, that of the poor is not fairly audible.

Rahul Gandhi did not directly refer to the pro-industry forces but said that the accusation that "our decision" is against development is not true. "Development means each and every individual, including tribals and other poor sections, should develop simultaneously. Development does not mean suppression of the voice of the poor and tribals," he said.

He said a real Government should listen to the people's voice which "our UPA Government" is doing. He said his duty for saving the Niyamgiri hill is not over. "I am always with you (tribals)," he added.

PCC president KP Singh Deo, Kalahandi MP Bhakta Charan Das, Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Bhupinder Singh, Titilagarh MLA Surendra Singh Bhoi and former Chief Ministers Giridhar Gamang and Hemanand Biswal accused the Naveen Patnaik Government of supporting illegal mining.

Around 50 pro-Vedanta activists under the banner of the Lanjigarh Anchalik Vikash Parishad were arrested while they were taking out a protest rally against Rahul Gandhi's visit to Lanjigarh.