Author: K.S. Sudarshan
Publication: Organiser
Date: February 2, 2003
URL: http://www.organiser.org/02feb2003/page14.htm
Introduction: Vanvasi Sangamam in
Kerala
"Vanvasis form an integral part
of the Hindu society. They have the exclusive ownership right over forests
and lands. It is their responsibility to strengthen the cultural heritage
by worshiping nature and protecting the forests," said the Sarsanghchalak
of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Shri K.S. Sudarshan. He was addressing
a mammoth gathering of Vanvasis assembled at the All Kerala Vanvasi Sangamam
held in the premises of the historic Mananthavadi Valliyoorkavu temple
in Wayanad district of Kerala. This was the first confluence of Vanvasis
in Kerala in which more than 20,000 Vanvasis participated. The Sangamam,
held on January 14 and 15, 2003, created so much excitement that Wayanad
witnessed the largest gathering of people at the venue.
Shri Sudarshan exhorted the Vanvasis
to take a pledge not to renounce Hindu dharma, which finds a spark of God
in every moving and stationary object. Stating that Christian missionaries
were trying to upset the family relations of the country, he said efforts
should be made to realise the true nature of dharma.
President of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram,
Jagdev Ram Oraon said the historic conclave was the realisation of the
late Bhaskar Raoji's dreams. Stating that Vanvasis were legatees of a great
heritage, he exhorted them to take pride in the fact that they belonged
to a community that fought for safeguarding the nation. Shri P. Sasidharan,
IPS, retired DIG, said Vanvasis were being subjected to the large-scale
exploitation. They should follow the example of Ambedkar and Ayyankali
who attained great heights though sustained efforts, he emphasised.
Shri P. Parameshwaran, Director,
Bharateeya Vichara Kendram, congratulated the large gathering for ignoring
the malicious propaganda against the Sangamam. He said attempts were being
made to denigrate Vanvasis who were inheritors of a great heritage marked
by stalwarts like Pazhasi Raja and his assistants like Thalakkal Chandu
and Neeli, who had fought against foreign domination. The Marxist Party
was trying to harm them (Vanvasis) by branding them as usurpers of forests
land, he added. Stating that there should be a concerted move to find solution
to common problems, he said that the Sangamam provided the first platform
for the concerted move to find solution to common problems.
The Olympian sprint queen P.T.
Usha distributed prizes to winners of sports competitions held in the Sangamam.
Inaugurating the delegate conference
on January 15, Srimad Chidanandapuri Swamikal of Kulathur Advaitha-sramam
appealed to Vanvasis to block the sinister efforts of religious conversion.
He said saffron colour was the expression of dharma and it was respected
alike from Himalayas to Wayanad in Kerala. He reminded them that our mind
and culture were the same though there might be differences in language
and dress. He emphasised that one had to uplift oneself to protect the
society.
A resolution, adopted at the Sangamam,
demanded that the Wayanad district should be named Vanvasi district and
the Lok Sabha constituency should be reserved for Vanvasis. Other resolutions
demanded: Gathering forest wealth should be the exclusive presence of the
Vanvasis; Land confiscated from Vanvasis under the 1975 Act should be returned
to them; The Government should also keep its promise to offer land to landless
Vanvasis; Enact a law to regulate religious conversions.
