Local tribals oppose appointment of dreaded ex-Maoist as co-ordinator at Gondwana University

Local tribal groups from Gadchiroli have opposed the appointment of dreaded former Maoist leader Bhupati to Gondwana University as a coordinator. “Why are local tribals, who have worked for PESA, not being given the opportunity?

An upper-caste man from outside Maharashtra who exploited tribals and led them to their deaths is being favoured for a job which involves empowerment of tribals. How can we trust him to spread awareness among tribals about PESA, and not anything else?

We want the government to cancel this appointment and give a chance to true, deserving tribals who are qualified for this work. We want the empowerment of local tribals. Many of them are still languishing in jails for providing food to Naxals out of fear.

Why is there no rehabilitation for them?” asked Bajirao Usendi from Gadchiroli. Mr. Usendi is the leader of a Mahagramsabha, an informal body that plays an advisory role to local gram sabhas in Gadchiroli. Members of the Mahagramsabha include gram sabha members from Naxal-affected areas like Etapalli, Kurkheda, Kurki, etc.

The four-page note issued by the Mahagramsabha has expressed strong objection to the University’s decision. PESA stands for the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, a landmark law enacted by the Union Government to ensure self-governance for tribal communities living in Fifth Schedule areas.

Bhupati is a dreaded former Maoist whose surrender last year crippled Maoism in Maharashtra. Currently under police supervision in Gadchiroli, he was recently appointed coordinator by Gondwana University to spread awareness among tribal communities about PESA, Forest Rights Act, and other rights of the communities.

It is a temporary position. The Mahagramsabha has issued a memorandum to the Gondwana University, the District Collector, and the Gadchiroli Police Superintendent, calling for the appointment to be revoked. Meanwhile, the University has stated that the appointment is for three months, and that Bhupati will have only clerical responsibility.

“He was appointed after due process. Mr. Venugopal will not be given any responsibility to guide the gramsabha or conduct training on anything,” Vice Chancellor of Gondwana University Prashant Bokare said. However, the appointment notification issued by the University on August 29, which has been perused by The Hindu, clearly stated that the project coordinator was being appointed for integrated gram sabha training programme.

“This appointment is against tribal interests. These very Naxals hid in the jungles, threatened local tribals, and took young girls. Their parents faced attacks, and tribal sarpanchs or local tribal workers whose ideas did not align with the Naxals were brutally murdered.

So many tribals have died in Naxal attacks. To this day, those who sheltered Naxals out of fear of their guns are lodged in prisons,” Mr. Usendi said. The Mahagramsabha demanded to know why local tribals were not given such job opportunities for their empowerment.

Gadchiroli Police Superintendent M. Ramesh did not accept calls despite several attempts. Gadchiroli Collector Avishyant Panda confirmed that a delegation of Mahagramsabha had met him to hand over the memorandum. Gondwana University Vice Chancellor Prashant Bokare said he was on leave due to a death in the family and was not in a position to speak to the media.