India
(interview by Achyut Yagnik)
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Kaluram Dhodade, one of the most powerful voices among Adivasi (secluded tribes) leaders of India, leads a simple life in a small village, Damkhind, in the vicinity of Bombay. Although his parents were both illiterates, while young he attended a boarding school. Recognized as the pioneer of the Adivasi movement in western India, Kaluram, now in his sixties, is popularly called "Kaka" or uncle. In India, Kaluram's name is associated with several social movements. In 1970s he initiated the Bhoomisena (Land army), an organization whose goal was "land to tillers". After twenty years of intense experiences of legal advocacy in one form or the other, Kaluram realized the futility of legal intervention and moved to the path of struggle. Also displeased with the results of agricultural development through credit from nationalized banks, Kaluram mobilized the Adivasi youth in Tarun Mandals (Youth Groups), active in more than 200 villages. These groups continue their struggle against exploitation and injustice, either in the field or in the factory. In 1993, with other Adivasi social activists, Kaluram formed an autonomous network of Adivasis alone, called Adivasi Ekta Parishad. Since then AEP has reached four western states of India with a message of Adivasi renaissance at the national and global level. |
Extract
On democracy and identity
The government says there should be democracy. But there is a difference between the democracy of the village and urban democracy. In a village, there is no distinction between big and small. A democratic meeting is for all people and all are viewed equally. In today's democracy, there are many different agents who interfere. This is where the difficulty starts.People are united when there is a religious festival or holiday - the organizing is fixed by custom. Where and how to hold the puja (religious ritual), how much collection will be made etc. On that day, the village law is also implemented and cases are adjudicated. This is the village Gram Sabha, the democracy of the people.
The only solution is that those areas which are in the 5th Schedule (1)
should be given 6th
(2)Schedule status. Complete authority should be given to people; only then can people begin to take democracy seriously. Funds should be given to the village, for distribution by the village. They will form a committee and decide who is needy, who should get what. Take the planning process in Kerala. That is what we are saying - planning should be from bottom up. As long as the planning is from the top, people have no opportunity to reflect, to take part. If there is autonomy, then there can be planning in this manner.In a place like Thane district that is highly industrialized with big factories, there is nothing for the development of Adivasis. They are afraid to declare it an Autonomous Adivasi district, because then they would not be able to benefit from the process of industrialization. Today, there are no Adivasis in these factories. The workers have all come from outside Thane district. At that time there were no educated Adivasis, and now, when there are, there are no jobs.
(1)
Section of Indian Constitution protecting Adivasi rights in land
(2)Section of Indian Constitution granting autonomy to Adivasis in selected areas
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