Kothagudem: The Adivasis of Khammam and Bhadradri-Kothagudem districts made a demand on World Adivasi Day to protect the traditions, customs, language, rights and lands.
Adivasis, who organised rallies and processions to mark the day listed their issue and placed a charter of demands before the government and officials. A rally was take out in Khammam on Friday.
They are worried that the population of some of the Adivasi sects particularly the Kondareddy have witnessed a decline due to various reasons. They are concerned that their traditions and customs, practiced since generations, are vanishing. They want the state to honour them so they can be revived.
In addition, the Adivasis who have their own language say it should be protected by publishing books in the language. Some of the tribes’ language are not in written form and the demand is that it should be created and books published in it.
And finally, their rights are being seized by the other so called tribes making them “third rated in the Scheduled Tribes list by grabbing their powers.” “Adivasis should be provided all facilities to promote higher education to get higher posts.”
N. Ramireddy, from the Kondareddy tribe said, “There is no higher officials in Kondareddy and Koya tribes, which is painful.” “The Adivasis are being meted out injustice under the Forest Dwellers Act. The government has not given pattas to the Adivasis in the forest lands though they are being tilled by them since generations,” a leader pointed out. Madakam Sivaiah, a Koya tribe leader said, “The officials had given land pattas to the other tribes in the forests not to the Adivasis. We demand justice.”
The sects of adivasis should be given priority in sanctioning government schemes and allocating jobs, a leader said. Soyam Chandra added, “We are requesting the governments to keep an eye on their problems.” from today, which is the World Adivasi Day.”
