South Gujarat tribal rights body seeks special state assembly discussion on adivasi issues

CV News/ Tuesday, January 29, 2019

The South Gujarat-based civil rights organization, Adivasi Kisan Sangharsh Morcha (AKSM), has asked 27 tribal legislators of Gujarat to demand a special discussion in the Gujarat state assembly, whose session begins on February 18. AKSM convener Romel Sutariya, in a statement, has said that the issue has become particularly important following efforts to acquire tribals’ land in Kevadiya colony in order to develop tourism around the Statue of Liberty.
Sutariya said, the 27 tribal legislators associated with various political parties of Gujarat should “show the political strength of tribal society and tribal problems”, regretting, the Gujarat government “is not prepared for a debate on the problems of tribal society.” Asking them to “boycott” the assembly session in case the state’s rulers do not agree, Sutariya added, all the tribal organizations, institutions, youth, the elderly, women and political parties should also seek a special discussion on tribals in the state assembly.