Adivasis Urged To Combine Fight for Rights With Focus on Education
Over 5,000 tribals attend Komaram Bheem statue inauguration at Indravelli
The leaders urged families to prioritise their children’s education, citing the growing competition for seats and jobs. They also asked parents to ensure that children returned to school after holidays and did not remain at home after schools reopened.
They were speaking at a meeting after the inauguration of a statue of Adivasi leader Komaram Bheem at Indravelli. More than 5,000 Adivasis from across Adilabad district attended the event. They took out a procession, accompanied by traditional drum beats, from the Indravelli martyrs’ memorial to the newly installed statue.
A large police force was deployed in the town to prevent untoward incidents.
Raju Thodasam, BJP MLA from Arni-Kelapur in Maharashtra, said Adivasis should improve their educational standards to enter the administration through state and central services and ensure effective implementation of welfare schemes. He also stressed the importance of representation in decision-making bodies such as state assemblies and parliament, saying education was essential for social progress through both platforms.
Adilabad MP Godam Nagesh urged parents to take an active role in their children’s education. He described education as a means of improving their lives and protecting their rights through legal and democratic channels. He also called on Adivasi elected representatives to make collective efforts to pressure the state and central governments to protect the community’s rights and frame policies for its empowerment.
Khanapur MLA Vedma Bojju stressed the need for unity among Adivasi leaders, MPs and MLAs, irrespective of political affiliations. He said the community should preserve its culture while pursuing educational advancement.
Former Adilabad MP Soyam Bapurao urged the Adilabad MP and Khanapur MLA to seek relaxation in the rules governing the construction of Indiramma houses for Adivasis living in reserve forests within the Kawal Tiger Reserve. He referred to a similar relaxation granted to Adivasis in a tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh through a Supreme Court judgement.
Former MLA Atram Sakku said Adivasi youth should draw inspiration from their ancestors and continue the struggle for their rights without neglecting education.
Adilabad SP Akhil Mahajan attended the statue inauguration. Adivasi leader Mesram Venkat Rao and Thudum Debba leaders Godam Ganesh and Maipathy Arun were among those present.
