Activists opposing bauxite mining in Odisha detained, drawing condemnation

By A Representative 

State repression on people's movements in Odisha has drawn nationwide condemnation, as citizens from various parts of India have written to the District Collector of Rayagada, decrying the arbitrary restraint of social activists and demanding the immediate withdrawal of the order prohibiting 24 activists and adivasis from entering Rayagada for two months.

In a strongly worded letter, concerned citizens—including social activists, academics, lawyers, and members of various people’s organizations—have condemned the Odisha police's actions in restraining and harassing activists who had come to Rayagada for a peaceful program marking International Environment Day on June 5. They also expressed alarm over Order No. 1556/VII-14/2025, issued by the District Collector on June 4, which prohibits 24 individuals from entering Rayagada and participating in protests for a period of two months. The letter demands the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of what they deem an unjust and questionable order.

The letter, initiated by the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM) and the National Alliance for Justice Accountability and Rights (NAJAR), was also sent to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary of Odisha, SP Rayagada, and the Focal Point for Human Rights Defenders in the National Human Rights Commission. It highlights the unlawful restraint imposed on activists on June 5. Early that morning, at 4:30 a.m., well-known social activists Medha Patkar, Lingaraj Pradhan, Narendra Mohanty, and Hara Bania were taken into police custody upon arrival at Rayagada railway station.

The activists had come at the invitation of local people’s organizations to attend a public rally against illegal bauxite mining in Sijimali, Kashipur. When questioned about their restraint, they were informed of the prohibitory order from the Collector’s office. Despite clarifying that their presence was for a peaceful public gathering, the police forced them to vacate the district and later took them toward Berhampur, keeping them in transit throughout the day, allegedly to prevent their participation in the Environment Day program.

Local protests against mining have arisen in response to the destructive impacts of ongoing extraction activities, which have severely affected livelihoods, forests, and cultural heritage in the region. Rayagada falls within the Fifth Schedule Area, governed by the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, which empowers Gram Sabhas and Panchayats to make decisions regarding developmental activities in their regions. Additionally, Section 5 of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, grants Gram Sabhas the authority to protect their habitats from destructive activities. Protesters have condemned the persistent attempts by the state police and administration to suppress popular movements while prioritizing the interests of corporations such as Vedanta, Adani, and Birla.

Signatories argue that the restraining order issued by the Rayagada Collector is an abuse of legal provisions, imposing unjust prohibition on local residents and activists. They claim the order has a chilling effect on constitutional rights, particularly freedom of speech and movement. They further contend that the restriction violates the principles of overbreadth and proportionality, as a vague apprehension of law-and-order concerns does not justify curtailing fundamental rights. They insist that reasonable restrictions, as per constitutional safeguards, should have a direct and proximate connection to an actual issue, rather than being based on hypothetical or exaggerated concerns.

In response to these concerns, the citizens have put forth the following demands: immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the prohibitory order issued on June 4 by the Rayagada Collector; respect for the constitutional rights of citizens, activists, and affected communities, including freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and movement; recognition of Gram Sabhas' rights under PESA and FRA to safeguard their environment and communities against harmful activities; accountability from state authorities and administration for efforts to suppress legitimate protests; an end to repression, threats, and arrests of protestors in Sijimali villages, along with the withdrawal of criminal cases against those opposing mining; and a halt to ongoing land acquisition processes for mining, ensuring democratic dialogue with local movements.