In the last ten years, Ekta
Parishad it has organised a series of successful marches in
Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Orissa in which its flexibility, determination
and organisation has forced the state governments to address the
grievances of the landless and forest dwellers.
Janadesh 2007
In 2007, Ekta Parishad organised a national action, Janadesh
2007 bringing 25,000 people from across India to march 300+ km from
Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh to Delhi.The aim was to secure, protect and guarantee land and livelihoods
rights of marginalised communities.
At the end of the march in Delhi, India’s Rural Development
Minister addressed the crowd saying that ‘no-one could ignore the
achievements of Janadesh and that all demands would be met’.
The government then set up The National Land Reforms Council
(chaired by the Prime Minister) and Committee on Land Reforms (chaired by
the Rural Development Minister).Both these bodies have significant civil society
representation.
Soon after that, the Forests Rights Act 2006 came into force giving
traditional forest dwelling communities more control over forests and
clearer land and homestead rights.There are problems with the implementation of this Act, but in
areas where NGOs and movements such as Ekta Parishad are active, claims
for land have been successful.
After Janadesh, Ekta Parishad it knew
that it must keep up the pressure on the Indian government.The Committee on Land Reforms
submitted its report to the Prime Minister and the Land Reforms Council in
2009.But Ekta’s members,
frustrated by the limited progress, have announced an even larger march on
Delhi in 2012, with 100,000 people on the road.So, Ekta will now continue to
support people claiming their rights and mobilise them to take
action.
If you wish to learn more about the
Janadesh 2007 action, see Ekta Parishad’s website.