Adilabad: Former commissioner of National Commission for SCs and STs and adivasi rights activist B.D. Sharma, who passed away on Sunday, had worked all his life for the empowerment of adivasis and their Constitutional rights. He had special attachment with the adivasis of Adilabad. Sharma led the adivasi agitation demanding Rai centres (socio-cultural centres and traditional decision making bodies of adivasis) kegislative bodies in Adilabad.
He had worked closely with adivasis of Adilabad and toured the district extensively. He was also instrumental in enactment of PESA, Forest Rights Act. Telangana Adivasi Aikya Vedika state convener Sidam Shambu recalled his association with Sharma.
N. Madhusudan of Food Sovereignty India said ‘Sharma strongly advocated self rule for adivasis with the slogan “Mava Nate Mava Raj (our rule in our village) and effective implementation of Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act PESA, 1996 and Forest Rights Act-2006’. He said with the passing of Sharma, adivasis of the country have lost a strong voice.
Another Adivasi leader Shiva Prasad of Adivasi AikyaVedika said Sharma was unhappy with the way the Forest Rights Act was being implemented in the country though it was an Act designed to empower adivasis and protect their rights.
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