The International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), in a solidarity statement has suggested that the current Karam festival of Central India -- which seeks to promote sisterhood, friendship, cultural unity, and closer link to nature -- should be the occasion to campaign against alleged efforts to violently drive away forest dwelling communities from their forest homes.
"Millions are threatened to lose lands and livelihood under the implementation of Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006", the statement States, adding, "As corporate interests continues to enter tribal territories and extract profit from its natural resources, indigenous people are pushed to further marginalization and discrimination."
Asserting that indigenous movement in India "remains steadfast in keeping their culture, deeply linked to their lands alive by carrying out their heritage and struggles", IPMSDL, even as extending "warmest greetings" to the indigenous and tribal peoples of "Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Assam, says, "We salute the commitment of different tribal people in continuing their traditions amidst the challenges and attacks such as land dispossession and forcible displacement."
The celebration, which begins on the 11th day of the Bhadarva month of Hindu calendar, is dedicated to Karam-Devta (Karam-Lord/ God), the god of power, youth, and youthfulness, and represented by the Karam tree, is one of the most awaited sacred observances of different tribes in India including the Korba , Baiga, Binjhwari, Nagpuri, Khortha, Kudumi, Oraon, Munda, Santal and many more.
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