IN a historic victory for people's movements, the Union Ministry of Mines announced on January 23, 2025, the complete cancellation of the tungsten mining project in Melur, Madurai. The decision followed a meeting between Union Minister G Kishan Reddy and a delegation of farmers, acknowledging the need to protect the Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site and its cultural significance. This triumph marked the culmination of sustained resistance, demonstrating the power of organised struggle.

ORIGINS OF THE STRUGGLE

The battle began in Arittapatti village, renowned for its rich biodiversity. When the union government announced on November 7, 2024, that Hindustan Zinc Limited, a Vedanta subsidiary, had won the bid to mine tungsten across 2,015.51 hectares, the village erupted in protest. For over 60 days, loudspeakers – silent until then to avoid disturbing local birdlife – rang out with a resolute message: "No to Tungsten Mining."

CPI(M) publication Theekkathir first exposed the dangers of the project. CPI(M) MP Su. Venkatesan played a pivotal role in leading the resistance. On November 19, he published the first detailed map exposing the project's full extent. He followed up by writing to Union Minister Kishan Reddy on November 21, urging immediate action. On November 27, he personally met the minister to press the issue. His efforts culminated in a Zero Hour speech in Parliament on December 3, where he forcefully articulated the people's opposition.

Resistance spread rapidly. By November 22, 2024, over 20 gram panchayats had passed resolutions against the project. Local temples became organising hubs, village commons transformed into political discussion forums, and the Kidaripatti Vallalar food centre served as a logistical base. Households contributed Rs 100 to Rs 1000 as a "protest fund"; fish farm lease advances were redirected to fund the struggle, and thousands of families endured economic hardship for the cause.

The movement gained political momentum when the Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously passed a resolution against the project on December 9, 2024. Chief Minister MK Stalin declared in the Assembly: "As long as I am the chief minister, the tungsten mining project will not be implemented," lending significant weight to the movement.

PARTY GUIDANCE

CPI(M) Central Committee Coordinator Prakash Karat provided crucial guidance for the movement through multiple interventions.

Speaking at a public meeting in Palani on December 10, he welcomed the Tamil Nadu Assembly’s resolution against corporate mining and congratulated Chief Minister MK Stalin. He exposed how the Modi government’s amendments to mining laws enabled corporate control over natural resources, warning that "this is part of a larger design to hand over our nation's strategic minerals to private corporations." By linking Melur’s struggle to broader national resource politics, he highlighted its significance beyond Tamil Nadu.

Later, addressing the CPI(M) Tamil Nadu state committee, Prakash Karat noted that the resistance is a fight against corporate colonisation of natural resources. Drawing parallels with the Sterlite protests, he highlighted a recurring pattern of corporate exploitation in Tamil Nadu.

Karat also emphasized the importance of state rights in resource management, arguing that the union government’s unilateral decisions violated federal principles. His interventions helped elevate the movement from a local protest to a larger battle for resource sovereignty and democratic control over natural wealth.

DYFI’S PADAYATRA: A TURNING POINT

The Democratic Youth Federation of India’s (DYFI) three-day padayatra was a turning point in the anti-tungsten mining movement. Preparation began on December 7, with activists launching a 14-day door-to-door campaign, mobilising farmers, women’s groups, and youth while forming village-level committees to coordinate resistance.

The march, inaugurated by CPI(M) MLA Nagai Maali on December 20, saw overwhelming participation. In more than 20 villages, thousands welcomed the marchers, with activists like Surya organising meals for over a thousand participants. The padayatra culminated in a massive rally in Melur on December 22, uniting over 200,000 people and forging lasting networks of resistance.

Under the slogan "To Reclaim Our Land, To Protect Our People," the movement transformed from scattered protests into a cohesive, statewide struggle. Local youth, inspired by the march, began organising in their villages, ensuring the fight’s momentum and ultimate success.

FARMERS' PROTEST

On January 7, 2025, Tamil Nadu Kisan Sabha staged a massive dharna at the Madurai Collectorate, led by general secretary Sami Natarajan, demanding the complete withdrawal of the project. The movement’s strength was further demonstrated when 20,000 farmers, villagers, and youth marched 20 km from Melur to Madurai, drawing statewide support and intensifying pressure on the government.

The union government’s stance on the tungsten mining project shifted repeatedly under mounting pressure. Initially, in response to the Tamil Nadu chief minister’s letter, the union mining ministry insisted on proceeding, asserting compliance with environmental guidelines despite widespread opposition.

A key turning point came on December 24, when the government attempted a partial concession, proposing to exclude 500 hectares around Arittapatti while continuing mining in the remaining 1,500 hectares. This divide-and-rule tactic was swiftly rejected by CPI(M) and movement leaders, who reinforced the demand for complete withdrawal.

Ultimately, sustained pressure – from the Tamil Nadu Assembly’s unanimous resolution, relentless public protests, and escalating political opposition – forced the government’s January 23, 2025 retreat. Citing the region’s biodiversity and cultural significance, the union government fully canceled the project, marking a victory for organised resistance over corporate-driven policies.

PEOPLE’S UNITY TRIUMPHS

When victory was declared on January 23, CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam hailed it as a triumph of people's unity but insisted that the cancellation be formalised through an official government order.

Reflecting on the struggle, CPI(M) Madurai MP Su. Venkatesan credited the people’s unwavering resistance for the success. He emphasized that the movement had not only blocked corporate control over natural resources but had also exposed and defeated the union government’s diversionary tactics. He highlighted the collective strength of farmers, environmental activists, and social groups, whose unity proved decisive in securing this historic victory.

Following the hard-fought victory, a massive public gathering was held at Vallalapatti on January 26, 2025 (Republic Day) to celebrate the triumph against the tungsten mining project. The gathering saw the participation of key cabinet ministers, including I Periyasami, P Moorthy, PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan, and several MLAs. Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Stalin highlighted the significance of the victory:
"The people's struggle against the tungsten mining project succeeded in just three months. This is no ordinary victory, it is a historic triumph. The unwavering resistance of the people, combined with the Tamil Nadu government's firm stance, made this possible."

The CPI(M)'s leadership in the anti-tungsten mining movement showcased the power of sustained, principled resistance. From exposing the project’s dangers to celebrating victory, the Party provided consistent political direction and organisational support, ensuring the movement remained focused and resilient.

In the initial phase, CPI(M) played a key role in raising awareness, exposing the environmental and social threats posed by the project. As the movement gained momentum, the Party coordinated gram panchayat resolutions, facilitated local protests, and politicised the struggle, transforming village institutions into hubs of resistance.

After the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed its resolution opposing the project, CPI(M) remained steadfast, warning against complacency. While some believed the resolution was enough, the Party insisted that only a formal cancellation from the union government would guarantee victory. This stance was proven correct when the government attempted a compromise by modifying the project.

As the union government sought to divide the movement with partial concessions, CPI(M) upheld its uncompromising demand: "Not even a handful of soil will be taken for mining."

By linking Melur’s struggle to broader fights for resource sovereignty and state rights, the Party deepened the movement’s political significance. CPI(M)'s role in maintaining unity among farmers, environmental groups, and local communities was critical in sustaining momentum until complete victory was secured.

The victory has reaffirmed CPI(M)'s approach to people's movements – a combination of grassroots mobilisation, political education, and steadfast resistance. The Party’s leadership ensured that the struggle remained focused on its core demands, while also forging broader alliances and maintaining unity among various organisations and social groups. This success has set a powerful precedent for future battles against corporate exploitation of natural resources, demonstrating that organised, collective resistance can safeguard people’s rights and the environmental safety.