Jodeghat (Kumuram Bheem Asifabad): Thousands of devotees thronged the historical Jodeghat and paid rich tributes to Adivasi legend Komaram Bheem on his 78th death anniversary in Kerameri in Kumuram Bheem in Asifabad district on Wednesday.
The number of Adivasis who visited the Jodeghat doubled this year when compared to the previous years. Surprisingly, for the first time Adivasis from the bordering states of Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Jharkhand visited Jodeghat and paid rich tributes.
Adivasis in 50 private vehicles from bordering Maharashtra visited to Jodeghat. The reason for the huge Adivasi turnout at Jodeghat to pay tribute to their legend could be due to the awareness created about Komaram Bheem and his fight for the Adivasis right in 1940s. The awareness comes in the ongoing fight between the Adivasis and Lambadas.
The Adivasis agitation, which sought that the state and Central government remove Lambadas from the ST list has gained national attention. Adivasis have alleged that Lambadas were included in ST list in violation of the Constitutional procedure and are now reaping all the benefits meant for Tribals.
Due to election code being enforced, there was no officials darbar at Jodeghat on the occasion. Asifabad MLA Kova Laxmi and Adilabad MP Godam Nagesh of the TRS being Adivasis, visited Jodegaht and paid rich tributes to the legend.
Adivasi youth, under the banner of Adivasi Hakkula Porata Samiti, undertook a 20 km pada yatra to Jodeghat from Hatti in Kerameri.
Adivasi Hakkula Porata Samiti (Thudum Debba) state president Soyam Bapurao and former MLA Atram Sakku paid rich tributes at Jodeghat. Soyam Bapurao said, “We will intensify our agitation after the elections”. Speaking to media persons, Mr Bapurao said that they will continue their ongoing demand for their Constitutional rights and will take up militant agitations if need be to achieve the demands after the elections.
He said that the Adivasis were maintaining peace during agitation due to the forced election code. He announced that he would take an oath in front of Komaram Bheem’s statue.
Atram Sakku criticised the state government for its apathy toward Adivasis and snatching away their lands in the name of development and Haritha Haram. he further ridiculed the ruling party leaders who claim that the state government constructed Komaram Bheem’s memorial at Jodeghat at a cost of '25 crore. He said that there was no development in the 12 villages in and around the Jodeghat.
Kova Laxmi said that the Adivasis are celebrating the death anniversary of Komaram Bheem’s peacefully with the blessings of caretaker Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao unlike previous governments. She praised KCR for implementing various schemes for the welfare of the Adivasis.
Telangana Jana Samiti ( TJS) president Prof Kodandaram and senior leader Kotnak Vijay, Bheem Rao, Ambati Srinivas of Warangal and Dharmarjun of Nalgonda and Rathan Rao and others were paid rich tributes to Komaram Bheem. Adivasi senior leaders Durva Nagesh, Kodapa Ganesh, Purka Bapurao and Vedma Bojju and Sekhar Babu, Arka Kammu and Sidam Arju, Atram Bhujanga Rao were present.
