India: Open Letter Condemning the undemocratic banning of Moolvasi Bachao Manch, Bastar

We hereby share a letter that written by Ehtmam Ul Haque, Advocate and Anti-Displacement activist. This letter has been signed by 113 representatives from democratic organizations and has been sent to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Vishnu Deo Sai and to the Leader of Opposition in Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly, Charandas Mahant.

TO,

HONORABLE VISHNU DEO SAI,

CHIEF MINISTER OF CHHATTISGARH

We, the undersigned concerned citizens, hereby strongly condemn the recent move of the Chhattisgarh government’s decision to ban the Moolvasi Bachao Manch under the Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act. This move not only undermines the constitutional rights of Adivasi communities but also raises concern about the growing intolerance of the government towards peaceful protests. The notification justifying the ban fails to acknowledge the grassroots struggles of these communities, who are only defending their homes, lands, and dignity against the onslaught of militarization and corporate exploitation in the form of destructive mining projects.

The Moolvasi Bachao Manch has been a voice for Adivasis, resisting forced displacement, environmental destruction, and the erosion of their cultural identity. Branding such an organization as unlawful is an affront to the principles of democracy and an infringement on the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. The right to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and life with dignity has been trampled under the pretext of development. However, since the past many years, reports after reports by government and civil society organizations depict a concerning situation with barely any health care and educational facilities being provided to the Adivasis whose displacement is justified in the name of “development”.

Concerning is also the fact that the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) and 5th Schedule of the constitution which safeguards and guarantees Adivasi communities the right to self-governance and mandates their consent for projects in their territories, is being flagrantly violated. Gram Sabhas [editor’s note: Indian villages’ assemblies] are either bypassed or manipulated to push through mining projects, erasing the democratic safeguards meant to protect these communities. This systemic disregard for their constitutional and legal rights raises serious concerns about the government’s growing collusion with corporate interests and its willingness to sacrifice the lives and dignity of Adivasis for profit.

The Moolwasi Bachao Manch has been peacefully and democratically protesting against these violations of their safeguards under constitution, legal rights under PESA and their right to life and livelihood; opposing destructive mining processes that are happening using age-old methods like blasting and open cast, polluting rivers and environment. Chhattisgarh government’s reliance on the Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act to ban Moolwasi Bachao Manch and silence democratic assertion of Adivasi demands is a dangerous precedent. Laws like these belong to the dark archives of history, not in a country aspired by its people to be democratic. The ban on the Moolvasi Bachao Manch is not just an attack on a single organization; it is a message to all democratic movements that the government will not tolerate opposition, no matter how peaceful or justified.

We urge you to reconsider this course of action. Revoke the ban on the Moolvasi Bachao Manch, release its arrested members immediately and engage in dialogue with Adivasis opposing militarization and mining processes. The path forward cannot be one of repression and violence. Instead, it must involve listening to the voices of Adivasis, respecting their autonomy, and upholding their rights under the Constitution as well as other democratic rights. Militarization and corporate exploitation will only deepen the wounds and erode the trust that is essential for any genuine dialogue or development.

We urge the Chhattisgarh government to remember the oath it took in front of the country, and pay allegiance to its obligations to the people of the region.

Regards,