Congress credits Rahul with Niyamgiri tribals' victory

It was Gandhi's visit to the region that had drawn considerable media attention to the protests of the tribals against the mining giant, Congress MP Bhakt Charan Das

The Congress has been quick to credit its vice-president Rahul Gandhi with the “victory” of all 12 tribal gram sabhas of the Niyamgiri hills refusing to permit the mining giant Vedanta from mining bauxite in their hills.

The Dongria Kondh tribals had, through a referendum ordered by the Supreme Court, ousted the multinational company from plundering their homeland.

Gandhi had first visited the tribals in 2008 and then again in August 2010, assuring them of his support, promising to take their voice to Delhi.  

Rahul Gandhi is expected to visit the region anytime between September 20 and 25 and join the tribals in celebrating their victory.

Member of Parliament from the Kalahandi region and Congress spokesperson Bhakt Charan Das said, “It is after all Rahul Gandhi who went, way back in 2008 and then in 2010 and stood beside the tribals in Niyamgiri and said I am your sipahi (soldier) in Delhi.”

Das added that Gandhi was been moved by the non-violent nature of their protest and had promised to help them.

Gandhi had exhorted the tribals in 2008 to come together and fight and then assured them of his support.  

It was Gandhi’s visit to the region that had drawn considerable media attention to the protests of the tribals against the mining giant. Bolstered by Gandhi’s pledge of support, the tribals had chanted, <I>“Rahul Gandhi amaro bhai, Niyamgiri chharbo nai</I> (Rahul Gandhi is our brother, we won't leave Niyamgiri).” The Dongria Kondh, numbering around 8,000-10,000, consider the Niyamgiri Hills to be their god. There are two rivers and 36 waterfalls emanating from the hills, and the forests in the region which provides them sustenance.

Gandhi’s visit later this month is being viewed as a means of the Congress making renewed inroads into their once loyal votebank, the tribals (something that Gandhi has been urging Congressmen in Odisha to do).

His backing has also been interpreted as an ouster for industry – in 2011, Gandhi had also lent his support to the tribals facing displacement by the 12 million tonne Posco project in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district.  

He had demanded fair justice, proper compensation and rehabilitation for the people affected by the Posco project.  

With the recent pro-poor legislations of the United Progressive Alliance namely the food Bill and the Land Acquisition Bill (which is again being termed as anti-industry), the Congress is going all out to woo the tribals, marginalised and the deprived sections.