New Delhi: The Bharatiya Adivasi Party (BAP) has expressed strong opposition to the RAMP (Rural Area Market Planning) and PESA (Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas) laws, gearing up for a significant mobilization against the government to safeguard tribal rights.
There is considerable discontent among tribal communities concerning the RAMP and PESA legislation. In response, BAP has adopted a confrontational approach towards the government, declaring its intention to initiate a large-scale movement.
The party asserts that both the central and state governments are undermining the rights of tribal communities through these laws. They particularly highlight the lack of proper implementation of the PESA law as a direct infringement of Article 244 of the Constitution.
During a press conference, the National President of BAP stated, “The RAMP law aims to transfer rural lands to corporate entities, while the government merely pretends to enforce the PESA law. The weakening of Gram Sabhas contradicts the principles of tribal self-governance.”
Strategic Plan: From Public Awareness to Capital Protest
BAP has outlined a public awareness initiative targeting major tribal regions across the country during April and May. This initiative will include meetings, street gatherings, and rallies at the Panchayat level, along with efforts to submit memoranda to both the Governor and the President.
The party’s agenda includes:
- Launching the public awareness campaign on April 5
- Organizing dharna demonstrations at district headquarters on April 20
- Hosting an ‘Adivasi Adhikar Rally’ in the capital during the first week of May
- Publishing a white paper detailing the provisions of the PESA Act
BAP leaders emphasized that this movement will remain entirely peaceful and within constitutional boundaries; however, they warned that if the government continues to disregard tribal interests, the movement will escalate.
Support from Tribal Youth and Organizations
This initiative has begun to receive backing from numerous tribal student associations, agricultural unions, and community activists.
The hashtag #PESAAdhikarAurRampVirodh is currently trending on social media, indicating that the matter has entered the national discourse.
