Baripada: Upset over denial of tribal status, Kudumis from various parts of the state have decided to gherao Naveen Niwas in Bhubaneswar December 7.
Nearly 20,000 people of the community from nine districts will march to Bhubaneswar to press for their long-pending demand for giving them back tribal status.
Prior to 1950, Kudumis used to enjoy the tribal status, but it was cancelled by the Central government from the tribals’ list September 6, 1950 for no reason, Kudumi leaders alleged.
Kudumi Sena, an outfit working for the rights and welfare of the community, has long been demanding for returning their status through agitations.
Kudumi Sena demanded that the state government should press the Central government for recognizing them as Scheduled Tribes.
Kudumi leaders like Jaymuni Mohant disclosed their plan to gherao the Naveen Niwas December 7 at a presser held at the conference hall of Baripada Stadium.
They asserted that nearly 25 lakh Kudumis live in 30 Assembly and five Lok Sabha constituencies in nine districts of the state.
Kudumis had staged dharnas at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi March 8, 2016 and September 6, 2018. Adhikar Rally was also organised in Baripada March 11 this year while a bandh was observed in nine districts May 7.
“Besides, Kudumi people had sent 3 lakh post cards to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, seeking tribal status back. Sadly, the state government has ignored our demand,” said Mohant.
Kudumi leaders also warned of intensifying their agitation if the state government fails to do anything about their demand before 2019.
PNN
