Dalit Bahujan Adivasi

A comprehensive 30-year review of the SC/ST Atrocities Act reveals a persistent gap between the law's transformative promise and the lived realities of Dalits and Adivasis confronting violence, discrimination, and impunity

On Birsa Munda’s death anniversary, over 200 renowned Adivasi-Mulvasi leaders, representatives of people’s organisations, traditional self-governance representatives, academics, and activists have issued a joint statement appealing to Adivasis and all Jharkhandis to observe next Tuesday, June 9, the martyrdom day of Dharti Abba Birsa Munda, across every corner of the state by commemorating his Adivasi culture, struggles, and the Ulgulan. Crucially, they have urged them to declare a solemn pledge to protect his legacy from manuvadi organizations such as the RSS, the Janajati Suraksha Manch, and the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram.

The All India Union of Forest Working People (AIUFWP) along with the Delhi Solidarity Group (DSG) and Wullar Bachav Front have strongly condemned the reported brutal attack, demolition of the houses, harassment, and attempts to evict members of the Gujjar Bakerwal community in Jammu region a few days ago.

Last week, May 6, the move to get caste equity bills pushed in New York state, received a push with a group of 50+ inter-faith coalitions, led by Dalit leaders and advocates met with several legislators

Acting on suo-moto proceedings triggered by media reports, the Court condemns “degrading” bail conditions imposed on Dalit and Adivasi accused, warns against judicial overreach, and reinforces that liberty cannot be conditioned on humiliation or caste-based labour

A spate of anti-Dalit incidents—from a youth killed over leftover food in Amreli to a suspicious death after an inter-caste relationship in Tamil Nadu, and social boycotts in Khargone—also includes temple bans and clashes over Dalit wedding processions

Adivasis and supporting activists have petitioned the authorities against what they term as the ‘forcible re-location” of Chenchu (PVTG) Adivasis in the Amravad Tiger Reserve and urged a ‘co-existence’ model of conservation

The Allahabad High Court recently struck down a 2021 decision of the District Level Committee (DLC), Lakhimpur upholding the land rights of the Tharu tribe while observing that the authorities cannot short-circuit the existing statutory rights of the forest dwellers by blindly relying on court orders issued before the enactment of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA, 2006). This law recognises the individual and community rights of Adivasis.

The Constitutional Conduct Group (CCG) in an Open Letter to the President of India has condemned Odisha police’s wrongful dispossession of Adivasi lands in the state and violent action against protesting tribals

As India marks 50 years of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, cases of bonded labour still surface in states like Telangana where many workers in sectors such as agriculture, brick kilns, fishing and construction remain trapped in debt and coercion; here the author reflects on a transformative journey of an Adivasi woman who serves as a Sarpanch.