In Lush, Ancient Chhattisgarh Forest, Thousands Of Trees Cut To Mine Coal For Rajasthan, Threatening Adivasi Homes, Water, Livelihoods
As the union and state governments clear the second phase of mining operations at a controversial coal mine, over 15,000 trees were cut, in addition to 81,000 cut since 2012. Activists say this is an undercount, estimating that another 399,000 trees face the axe for mining coal in the lush forests of Hasdeo Arand. Adivasis worship the trees as deities, depending on them for livelihood. As protests sweep the villages nearby, the removal of trees has intensified elephant-human conflict.
The Hasdeo Bachao Movement: How Adivasis are Challenging Paradigms of ‘Vikas’
The movement has found support from various groups including farmers. 'It is our duty to protect water, forest, and land,' say tribal communities. Freny Maneckshaw writes.
Rahul Gandhi’s election pledge to support struggle against Adani’s Hasdeo coal projects
The campaign to protect India’s Hasdeo forests from coal mining received a boost on 13 February 2024 when prominent Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi, met with leaders of the movement and pledged the support of his party.
Baby, 2 Teens & 3 Men Die In January, As Bastar’s Anti-Maoist War Intensifies. Families Accuse Police, They Blame Maoists
As the union government builds roads, security camps and other infrastructure in the Maoist heartland of south Chhattisgarh, resistance from many Adivasis is intense. Six deaths in January reaffirmed the human costs of a 57-year-old conflict that has claimed thousands of lives.
Bastar: Children Caught in the Crossfire Between Maoists and Security Forces
The failure to address these grievances of the native Adivasis of these regions has eroded the trust between the villagers and security forces. Prasun Goswami writes.
Hasdeo Arand Deforestation Raises Questions of Adivasi Justice for Chhattisgarh’s First Tribal CM
A section of activists fighting for Adivasi rights in the state believe that there is no point in having a tribal chief minister if he continues to overlook the community’s priorities to facilitate corporate interests in Chhattisgarh.
Priyanka Gandhi relieved as UP Congress in-charge, most states get new leaders in-charge
The Congress has appointed former Rajasthan deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot in-charge of Chhattisgarh Congress, while senior party leader from Kerala, Ramesh Chennithala was named in-charge of Maharashtra.
BJP win in Lok Sabha 2024? How money managers are reading political winds
With a massive victory in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh elections and a comeback in Madhya Pradesh, BJP has set the mood for 2024 Lok Sabha polls towards a possible win.
Chhattisgarh verdict in 29 charts: New voters powered BJP sweep in state Congress was set to retain
Adivasi discontent as well as the Bhupesh Baghel-led state unit’s inability to expand its support base lost helped the Hindutva party seize power. Gilles Verniers writes.
The Myth of BJP's Hat-Trick and What the Statistics Really Say
This is how psychological games are played and won. Inflate a small balloon of truth so big that every contradictory truth is hidden behind it. Yogendra Yadav writes.
What does BJP’s hegemony in the Hindi belt mean for Indian politics?
A glance at a map of India shows the stark geographical division between states that have BJP-led government and those led by the Opposition. This divide is unprecedented in Indian politics. What does this mean for Indian politics? Shoaib Daniyal writes.
Three Things BJP’s Definitive Victory in the Assembly Elections Tells Us
Things cannot look darker for any opposition alliance hoping to stand against the BJP at this point. The state assembly poll results are a hard wake-up call for all the INDIA alliance members. Deepanshu Mohan writes.
Raids, Seizures, Searches: How Central Agencies Have Taken Poll Position
ED’s latest round of searches and seizures have, again, been directed against important opposition leaders of states which are in the midst of high-pitched electoral battles, with BJP among the principal players.