Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 19: Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka on Wednesday urged the Karnataka government to address the grievances of Adivasis and forest dwellers, warning that continued neglect could lead to unrest.
Backing Congress MLA Anil Chikkamadu’s demand for relief measures, Ashoka cautioned against pushing marginalized communities into desperation.
“While we strongly oppose Maoism, failure to resolve their issues may push people toward extremist ideologies. During my tenure as Revenue Minister, I visited MLA Anil’s constituency and saw firsthand the hardships of the residents,” he said during a Legislative Assembly session.
Ashoka accused forest officials of ignoring his earlier directives to provide land to displaced communities. He highlighted the severe impact of human-wildlife conflict, noting that many families were being forced to abandon their homes due to harassment by forest officials.
During the budget debate, Congress MLA Anil Chikkamadu (HD Kote constituency, Mysuru district) shed light on the struggles of displaced families. He pointed out that 48 villages were submerged for the Kabini Dam project, yet essential infrastructure for resettled families remains inadequate.
“In my constituency alone, 13 people have died in tiger and elephant attacks. The government must install barricades along forest borders to prevent further tragedies,” Chikkamadu urged.
He also called for a special relief package for those rescued from bonded labor, emphasizing that many remain without basic amenities.
Chikkamadu raised several key demands in the Assembly, including compensation for 210 farmers displaced by dam construction, rehabilitation of 5,345 Adivasi families as per a 2012 High Court order, and a ?15 lakh allocation for self-employment programs for Adivasi youth. He stressed the need for qualified teachers in residential schools, highlighting that none of the 11 schools in his constituency have B.Ed-certified staff.
Additionally, he pointed out that nearly 15,000 Adivasi youths work as hotel suppliers due to a lack of local employment opportunities.
Calling for a special development package for Chamarajanagar and HD Kote taluks, Chikkamadu urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to take immediate action.
The growing concerns over land rights, human-wildlife conflict, and lack of rehabilitation continue to put pressure on the Karnataka government, with opposition leaders and ruling party MLAs both demanding urgent intervention.