Jairam Ramesh invokes Rendo Majhi

Times of India, March 4, 2013
ByRiyan Ramanath V, TNN | Mar 4, 2013, 11.41 AM IST

Jamguda (Kalahandi): Playing to the tribal gallery, Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh hailed the implementation of rights of villagers over bamboo under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) as a tribute to Rendo Majhi, the freedom fighter who pioneered the fight against the British to assert tribal rights over forest produce nearly 150 years ago.

During his visit to the bamboo-rich village of Jamguda, about 55 km from Bhawanipatna district headquarters town of Kalahandi, to hand over the transit permit to tribals, the Union minister said tribals have finally won the battle, started by Rendo during 1883 to 1885. "Tribals have immensely contributed to the country's freedom struggle and this fact is not well known. Like Birsa Munda in Jharkhand, Rendo Majhi too fought against the British to give tribals the right over forest resources," said Jairam, adding Rendo's birthplace would be developed into a tourist attraction.

"Rendo belonged to Lubengad village and he was against the exploitative British administration, which was then putting restriction on collection of forest produce by tribals. He spearheaded a movement along with fellow tribal youths. He was ultimately hanged to death by the British," said Kalahandi MP Bhakta Das. The MP became the first person in the state to buy bamboo directly from the villagers on Sunday. He purchased a tractor-load of bamboo from the gram sabha at a cost of Rs 3,000 after villagers were formally given the transit pass.