THE national executive of the Adivasi Adhikar Rashtriya Manch (AARM) has decided to launch a nationwide protest campaign against Modi government’s anti-people policies from January 10-15, 2015. This was announced by AARM chairman Bajuban Reyang, vice president Brinda Karat and MP Jitendra Choudhary at a press conference in Hyderabad on 15th December. They were briefing media persons about the deliberations of the two-day executive meetings held at Sundarayya Vignana Kendram. Brinda Karat charged the Modi government of diluting and sabotaging the Forest Rights Act in order to serve the interests of corporates. The government proposed to reject about 50 percent of applications from tribals seeking land, she said. The proposed changes to make tribals consent for mining and other project non-mandatory was also a dangerous signal having very negative consequences for tribals in the long run, she warned. The AARM would work with the CPI(M) and other organisations for protecting the rights of tribals and their culture. Bajuban Reyang said the executive discussed in depth the anti-tribal measures being adopted by the Modi government, including the scuttling of MGNREGA. The executive decided to strongly oppose these measures and prepare for struggles. IMPRESSIVE RALLY AND PUBLIC MEETING An impressive rally and public meeting marked the beginning of the two day national executive meeting of the Adivasi Adhikar Rashtriya Manch (AARM) in Hyderabad on December 14. Addressing the meeting AARM vice president Brinda Karat charged the Modi government of diluting the Forest Rights Act that was enacted during UPA regime under pressure from the Left parties. She warned that the entire tribals of the country would wage a militant struggle against the government's attempt to scuttle the Act. Vibrant cultural programmes preceded the holding of the public meeting on the inaugural day in which Brinda Karat was the chief guest. The tribal cultural festival was organised by the Telangana Girijana Sangham. Lambadas, Gonds, Chenchus and others participated in their traditional wear. Brinda Karat, CPI(M) Telangana state secretary Thammineni Veerabhadram and CPI(M) MLA Sunnam Rajaiah too participated in their dances and cultural activities. Karat in her speech said that the government is grabbing the lands of tribals in the name of projects and handing them over to corporates. This is despite the Act clearly stating that only when all the tribals agree their land can be alienated. Modi government is eagerly serving the corporate interests, ignoring the vast masses of people. Consequently the private sector is set to become more widespread in the country. It is therefore necessary that reservations for tribals must be ensured in the private sector also. Otherwise there would be increased inequalities. Taking a dig at Modi who promised heaven to the people before elections, Karat said his government is in reality showing people hell. Throwing away all the promises made to tribals during elections to the wind, the new government has increased attacks and harassment of tribals in the country. Thammineni Veerabhadram criticised the TRS government for not bothering about issues of tribals during the six months of its rule in Telangana. The CPI(M) would continue its struggle until the government distributes land to dalits and tribals. He expressed complete support of the Party to the struggles of tribals. CPI(M) Bhadrachalam MLA S Rajaiah said that Polavaram project is being built to drown the tribals in misery whose lands and villages are set to be submerged. Tripura tribal and agriculture minister Aghore Debbarma, AARM chairman Bajuban Reyang, CPI(M) MP from Tripura Jatin Chodhury, Telangana Girijana Sangham secretary Sriram Naik, Professors Bhukya Banga and Raju Naik were among those who participated in the proceedings. Earlier, a colourful rally was taken out from Indira Park to Sundarayya Vignana Kendram in which thousands of tribals from various districts of Telangana participated.