Adivasis protest in Jabalpur, Bhopal against Chutka nuclear project

By A Representative 

A one-day mass convention held in Chutka village of Mandla district has resolved to launch a sustained democratic movement, including "gherao" and sit-in protests in Jabalpur and Bhopal, against the proposed Chutka Nuclear Power Project and other development projects that participants said threaten the livelihoods and constitutional rights of Adivasi communities.

The convention, attended by Adivasis, farmers, women, youth, social activists and elected representatives, expressed concern over a series of proposed projects in the tribal-dominated region, including the Chutka Nuclear Power Project, Basania (Odhari) Multipurpose Dam, Upper Budhner Dam, proposed Pumped Storage Hydro Power Projects in Narayanganj and Bijadandi, and the proposed Raja Dalpat Shah Wildlife Sanctuary. Participants alleged that these projects could displace thousands of Adivasi families and adversely affect their land, forests, livelihoods and cultural identity.

The gathering also highlighted the long-pending demand for the implementation of the Bargi Dam Lift Irrigation Project in Bijadandi and Narayanganj. Speakers noted that although the Madhya Pradesh government announced the project in 2023, they claimed that little progress has been made.

The convention unanimously resolved to intensify public awareness campaigns and strengthen a peaceful and democratic movement to safeguard the constitutional rights, natural resources and livelihoods of local communities.

Senior social activist Mole Singh Gothariya proposed launching the movement from Jabalpur, associated with the martyrdom of Shankar Shah and Raghunath Shah, and organizing a long-term "Gherao and Dera Dalo" (encampment) protest in both Jabalpur and Bhopal. The proposal was unanimously endorsed by the participants. Vivek Awasthi of the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Organization, Jabalpur, extended support to the proposed protest programme.

Speakers at the convention emphasized that the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA), and the Forest Rights Act, 2006 provide constitutional safeguards for Adivasi communities over their traditional rights to water, forests and land. They stated that under PESA, the Customary Gram Sabha is recognized as the highest decision-making authority and that, in Scheduled Areas, land acquisition, rehabilitation, natural resource utilization and development projects affecting local communities require the free, prior and informed consent of the Gram Sabha.

The speakers further asserted that the Customary Gram Sabha is central to the traditional self-governance system, cultural identity and democratic rights of Adivasi communities. They maintained that weakening its constitutional authority would undermine the spirit of the Constitution and the principle of Adivasi self-governance. They also stressed that development should be based on community consent, environmental sustainability, livelihood protection and adherence to constitutional provisions.

The convention stated that the Adivasi community is not opposed to development but opposes projects that result in displacement from land, forests, culture and traditional ways of life. Participants urged the government to initiate dialogue, strictly follow constitutional and legal procedures, and ensure that the consent of local communities remains central to decision-making.

Among those who attended the convention were MLA Chain Singh Barkare, former MLA Dr. Ashok Marskole, District Panchayat Member Bhupendra Barkare, Pushpa Markam, Janpad Panchayat Mandla President Sonu Bhalavi, Vice-President Vijendra Yadav, Janpad Member Rajendra Putta, Madan Singh Barkare, Bajari Yadav, Munna Yadav, Durgesh Lodhi, Ajay Markam (Katni), Atul Banjara, Anurag Singour, Dadu Lal Kundape, None Singh, Janki Patel, Ramlala, Gahbar Singh, Gulraj Dhumketi, Meera Bai Maravi, Sona Bai, along with hundreds of women and men from the region. A large number of people from Seoni district, across the Narmada River, also participated.

The programme was chaired by Raj Kumar Sinha of the Bargi Dam Displaced and Affected Association.