The Hasdeo Arand crisis: Tribal protesters face brutal state crackdown while standing against felling of trees

In the heart of Chhattisgarh’s Hasdeo Arand forest, a fierce battle is unfolding. The state government, aligned with corporate interests, is pushing for extensive coal mining operations that threaten not only the environment but also the livelihoods of the indigenous communities that have lived in harmony with the forest for centuries. At the centre of this struggle is a pro-capitalist agenda, where the government prioritises corporate profits over environmental preservation and tribal rights, perpetuating a cycle of marginalisation and destruction.

On October 17, the Hasdeo Arand region witnessed a violent clash that marked a grim turning point in the ongoing struggle between the indigenous tribal communities and the state authorities. What began as a peaceful protest by villagers against the felling of thousands of trees in their ancestral lands quickly escalated into a brutal confrontation. Villagers, armed only with wooden sticks, arrows, and axes, gathered to block the government’s efforts to clear the forest for coal mining operations. In response, over 400 police and forest officials were deployed to suppress the protest. The ensuing violence left several villagers injured, including women and elderly, as the government’s forces moved forward with plans to displace the indigenous population in the name of industrial development.

This violent crackdown is emblematic of the larger struggle that has been unfolding in Hasdeo Arand. The local tribal communities have consistently opposed the mining project, fearing displacement and the irreversible destruction of their environment. But their peaceful resistance has been met with violence, as the state continues to prioritise corporate profits over the rights and livelihoods of its most vulnerable citizens.

The environmental toll of capitalist expansion

The Hasdeo Arand forest is one of India’s last remaining contiguous forest blocks, home to diverse flora and fauna, including several endangered species. Despite its ecological importance, the Chhattisgarh government has sanctioned extensive coal mining operations in the region. Among the most controversial projects is the Parsa coal block, awarded to Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL), and set to be developed by Adani Enterprises. The planned felling of nearly 5,000 trees across six villages in the Surguja district has sparked widespread protests from the local tribal population, environmental activists, and opposition leaders.

The destruction of Hasdeo Arand would not only decimate its rich biodiversity but also disrupt the delicate environmental balance that this forest maintains. The mining operations will lead to deforestation, soil degradation, water pollution, and loss of habitat for numerous species, pushing them closer to extinction. The government’s justification for this environmental degradation—fuelled by promises of economic growth and job creation—rings hollow when the long-term costs are considered. In reality, the destruction of the Hasdeo Arand forest exemplifies a reckless, profit-driven development model that prioritises short-term capitalist gains over sustainable ecological and social well-being.

Corporate-driven displacement and the betrayal of tribal rights

The government’s pro-corporate stance becomes even more glaring when viewed through the lens of the indigenous communities living in and around Hasdeo Arand. For centuries, these tribal communities have depended on the forest for their sustenance, practicing traditional agriculture and foraging for forest produce. The government’s decision to allow mining operations in their ancestral lands amounts to a violation of their constitutional rights, particularly under the Fifth Schedule, which is meant to protect tribal lands from exploitation. (Detailed report may be read here.)

In a chilling display of state-sponsored repression, violence erupted on October 17 when tribal villagers attempted to prevent authorities from cutting down trees near the Fatehpur and Sali villages. The heavy-handed response of the state, which deployed 400 police and forest department personnel, escalated tensions as villagers armed with wooden sticks, arrows, and axes clashed with security forces. Multiple protesters and police officers were injured in the melee, with one constable, Bholaram Rajwade, allegedly suffering a serious leg injury after being struck by an arrow.

While the state maintains that the villagers initiated the violence, the fact remains that the government’s decision to use force against peaceful protesters, whose only demand is to protect their land and livelihood, exemplifies the growing trend of suppressing dissent. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi sharply criticised the BJP government for using violent means to “embezzle” the forest and land from the tribals, reminding the public that a resolution passed by the previous Congress government had pledged to protect the Hasdeo forest.

“The attempt to forcibly embezzle the forest and land of the tribals through violent use of police force in Hasdeo Aranya is a violation of the fundamental rights of the tribals. During the Congress government in Chhattisgarh, a resolution was unanimously passed in the Assembly not to cut the Hasdeo forest – ‘unanimous’ means the combined consent of the opposition, i.e. the BJP too. But, as soon as they came into government, they neither remembered this proposal nor the plight and rights of these original inhabitants of Hasdeo,” Gandhi wrote on X.

 A pro-capitalist agenda at the expense of people and the environment

At the heart of the Hasdeo crisis is a troubling pro-capitalist agenda that has come to define the current Indian government’s policies. The government’s willingness to greenlight mining operations, even in ecologically sensitive areas like Hasdeo Arand, reflects its prioritisation of corporate profits over environmental and social justice. The Adani Group, which stands to benefit immensely from the mining project, has become emblematic of the cosy relationship between the state and powerful industrialists. This alliance between the state and corporate interests has marginalised the indigenous communities who are being forced off their lands in the name of “development.”

Critics of the government, including Priyanka Gandhi, have accused the BJP of blatantly siding with powerful industrialists like Adani while ignoring the fundamental rights of tribal communities. “The tribals, who have been the owners of the forests for centuries, are being evicted so that Adani ji’s mines can operate,” Priyanka Gandhi remarked, encapsulating the sentiment of many who see this as a stark betrayal of the tribal population. This statement underscores the larger issue at hand: the systematic displacement of marginalised communities to serve the interests of corporate elites.

Hasdeo Arand is not an isolated case. Across India, similar patterns of land grabs, environmental destruction, and suppression of dissent are emerging as the government pushes forward with its capitalist agenda. In doing so, it is sacrificing the rights of indigenous people, the environment, and future generations for short-term corporate profits. By pursuing mining projects in such ecologically fragile and culturally significant areas, the government is signalling that its development agenda is driven by profits rather than by sustainable, equitable growth.

 A struggle for survival

For the indigenous communities of Hasdeo Arand, this is not merely a fight for land—it is a fight for survival. The forest is not just a resource for them; it is central to their cultural identity, spiritual practices, and economic well-being. The destruction of Hasdeo would sever their connection to the land, forcing them into an uncertain future of displacement and poverty. Despite the overwhelming odds, these communities remain resolute in their opposition to mining, drawing strength from a growing movement of environmental activists and social justice advocates who are rallying to their cause.

Yet, the government’s response has been to crush this resistance through force, rather than engage in meaningful dialogue. As per the report of The Indian Express, the violent suppression of dissent in Hasdeo Arand, much like in other parts of India, reflects a broader authoritarian trend under the current government. By prioritising capitalist interests over people’s rights, the government is eroding democratic spaces and undermining the rule of law.

The Hasdeo Arand crisis is emblematic of a larger struggle playing out across India, where local communities, backed by environmentalists, are fighting to protect their lands from the onslaught of capitalist expansion. The state’s alignment with corporate interests, particularly with industrialists like Adani, is indicative of a governance model that prioritises profit over people. As this pattern continues, it raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to sustainable development, social equity, and democratic governance.

The destruction of Hasdeo Arand, should it proceed, will have far-reaching consequences—not just for the environment and the tribal communities who call it home, but for India’s future as a democratic nation. The battle for Hasdeo Arand is not just a local issue; it is a microcosm of the struggle between people and profit, nature and industry, democracy and authoritarianism.

The road ahead may be fraught with challenges, but the resilience of the tribal communities and their allies suggests that this fight is far from over. Hasdeo Arand has become a symbol of resistance, a beacon of hope for all those who stand against the unchecked greed of capitalist expansion. Whether the government will listen, or continue down this destructive path, remains to be seen—but for now, the fight to save Hasdeo Arand continues, driven by the unyielding determination of its people.

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