ADILABAD: The ‘Thudum Debba’ state president and former MLA Soyam Bapurao on Wednesday alleged that the state government has insulted National ST commission chairman Nandkumar Sai by not arranging a government helicopter for him to attend Medaram jatara from Hyderabad. He said that the chairman was forced to go by road.
He alleged that the state government had neglected Sai, as he was an Adivasi and ruling Lambada leaders had a role to play in the withdrawal of the helicopter for National ST commission chairman.
Speaking to the media here, Mr Bapurao said the state government first came forward to arrange a helicopter for his darshan. But, there was no response from the officials concerned when they were contacted later. Mr Bapurao claimed that nobody was there to receive Mr Sai when he arrived in Hyderabad and few Adivasi leaders were there waiting for his arrival.
Mr Bapurao said the Medaram Jatara was under police control and there is nothing for the Adivasis there though the sacred place and the Jatara actually belong to Adivasis. He added that Adivasis can no longer go close to their deities like in the past as there are many restrictions imposed on them. Adivasi leaders Vedma Bojju, Uyke Sanjiv and Atram Venkatesh were present.
