Chhattisgarh: political history
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‘Pathargadi’ campaign
2018
Joseph John, Ahead of Chhattisgarh poll, a movement cast in stones, May 11, 2018: The Times of India
Six months ahead of assembly polls, a tribal selfrule movement is gathering steam across Chhattisgarh — intensifying after the BJP government cracked down on leaders of ‘Pathargadi’ campaign in Adivasi villages.
Pathargadi literally means ‘planting a stone’. Giant stone plaques, painted green, have come up in remote villages, declaring gram sabha as the supreme authority and maintaining that the area is under the Fifth schedule of Constitution. ‘Sabse unchi gram sabha,’ say the plaques. Some plaques carry the Ashok Stambh and others warn ‘outsiders’ not to enter their areas without the permission of the gram sabha.
The Pathargadi movement, which began in neighbouring Jharkhand, has now spread to tribal villages in Jashpur and Sarguja districts of Chhattisgarh. Reports coming in from remote Odgi area in Surguja and Jashpur indicate that it has tacit support of tribal leaders — cutting across party lines.
Young tribals are joining the movement, asserting their right to ‘Jal, Jungle, Jameen’. With election around the corner, Congress is quick to call it a rebellion. The BJP government is handling it with caution. CM Raman Singh said: “It’s okay if the movement is carried out in a democratic way. Once it turns undemocratic, action will follow.”
Soon, police began cracking down on activists. Home minister Ramsewak Paikra blamed certain retired tribal officials. Criticising the arrest of ‘Pathargadi’ movement leaders, Sarva Adivasi Samaj — an umbrella organisation of tribal communities in Chhattisgarh — announced a “jail bharo” agitation from May 15 if the arrested leaders aren’t released.
Samaj general secretary Naval Mandavi told TOI: “Attempts are being made to brand Pathargadi as an antinational activity. The stone plaques installed in villages only list the powers of gram sabha or the village council, provisions for tribal rights in the constitution and in the Panchayat Extension in scheduled Areas Act (PESA).”
The organisation will ask communities to hold their ‘traditional gram sabhas’ before May 21. “Stone plaques will be installed in tribal villages, clearly mentioning the powers of gram sabha, and Constitutional provisions that protect tribal rights,” he said, adding: “BJP leaders are wrong in claiming that the constitutional provisions written on the stone plaques are misleading. Isn’t it the duty of the government to educate tribals about its correct interpretation?”
A Congress delegation visited Pathargadi villages and claimed that the movement is the outcome of BJP government’s failure to implement tribal laws. State Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel and leader of the opposition T S Singhdeo met Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and submitted a report and told the media that Rahul had extended his support to the tribals’ cause. Gandhi is scheduled to address an Adivasi Sammelan at Pendra during his visit to Chhattisgarh on May 17.
2020
‘Cash for cow dung’ scheme
C’garh launches ‘cash for cow dung’ scheme, July 21, 2020: The Times of India
The Chhattisgarh government launched its ‘Godhan Nyay Yojana’, said to be the country’s first such scheme, to procure cow dung from livestock rearers, produce vermicompost and sell it in the market to make animal husbandry more profitable and promote organic agriculture.
Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the scheme on Hareli, the state’s most important agriculture festival. Baghel bought 48kg cow dung from four farmers and paid them Rs 96 to mark the first procurement.
Under the scheme, the government will procure cow dung at Rs 2 per kg, including cost of transportation. Women self-help groups will use it to produce vermicompost, which will be sold at Rs 8 per kg.
“Godhan Nyay Yojana will be a boon for farmers and cattle-rearers. It will encourage use of organic fertilizers and minimize use of chemicals,” Baghel said.
Panchayat poll rallies
1st time in 3 decades, C’garh villagers participate in panchayat poll rally
Braving Maoists’ threat, villagers from Dharmapenta, one of the worst Naxalite-hit areas in Chhattisgarh, gathered at an election rally for panchayat polls on Sunday — the first time in about three decades. The villagers resolved to exercise their franchise in the poll scheduled to be held on Monday. DGP DM Awasthi told TOI, “Anti-Naxalite operation has enhanced people’s confidence in police ... As a result, people of Bastar have gained confidence in democracy.” Presence of over 300 villagers in election assembly is a positive sign for democracy and an indication of Naxalites getting uprooted, said cops. TNN
2023
Vishnu Deo Sai appointed Chief Minister
Joseph John & Akhilesh Singh, TNN, Dec 11, 2023: The Times of India
Raipur/New Delhi : BJP reciprocated the warmth shown by tribal voters toward the party in the recent polls by appointing senior leader from the community, former Union minister Vishnu Deo Sai, 59, as the next CM of Chhattisgarh, ending days of speculation after the party’s stunning win in the state.
Party sources indicated that Raman Singh, a Thakur who served three terms as CM, is likely to be the speaker. State BJP chief Arun Sao (of the OBC Sahu community) and Vijay Sharma (a Brahmin) looked set to take charge as deputy chief ministers in the oathtaking ceremony. The decision to elevate Sai, close to R S S and steeped in the Hindutva ethos, at the cost of Singh and other claimants like former minister Brij Mohan Agarwal, was also being read as a message to stalwarts in Rajasthan and MP who perceive themselves to be the rightful claimants for the top jobs in Jaipur and Bhopal. The deci sion to have a tribal as chief minister in a second state after Jharkhand, where Babulal Marandi and Arjun Munda served as CMs, is part of PM Narendra Modi’s larger plan to have tribals in his column.
