A significant mahapanchayat took place in Harli village, Barkagaon Block, Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand, drawing over 10,000 participants. The gathering was organized by local villagers to express their dissent against Adani Enterprises’ proposed coal mining project in Gondalpura. The event kicked off with a powerful tribal song, originally composed by Bhagwan Maaji, an Adivasi leader leading the fight against bauxite mining in Odisha.
The protest against Adani’s coal project has been building for two years in Gondalpura, where local people assert that their land was sold without proper consent. The proposed project covers approximately 513 hectares, a large portion of which includes 40% forest land and 40% agricultural tenancy land.
Villagers contend that the project received approval through a fraudulent gram sabha, or village council meeting. This has galvanized resistance across Gondalpura and neighboring villages. In August, the protests intensified as the region’s inhabitants collectively rejected any coal mining initiatives.
Dr. Mithlesh Kumar Dangi of the Azadi Bachao Andolan highlighted the significance of the mahapanchayat, asserting it was a response to the government’s disregard for community consent. He noted the presence of three major coal blocks in the area, with a total of seven coal blocks. “The government listens to the companies rather than the people,” he stated.
Representatives at the mahapanchayat voiced similar sentiments. Bhupinder Kumar, a local youth, likened Adani and NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) to a modern-day East India Company, reflecting historical grievances of exploitation by colonial forces. He expressed frustration over the perceived abandonment by both state and central governments.
In addition to Adani, NTPC’s projects have faced sustained opposition. The Pakri Barwadih coal block, designated for NTPC in 2004, has been a site of persistent conflict, as local farmers allege their interests were overlooked during the decision-making process. According to Land Conflict Watch, the Pakri Barwadih site impacts 23 villages, which share similar grievances over the lack of consultation.
Kumar raised concerns about fake gram sabhas and the divisive tactics employed by companies to facilitate land acquisition. He stated, “They have made fake promises of jobs, houses, and compensation.” Badam village resident Mohammad Azhar echoed the sentiment, noting a pervasive distrust of corporations due to unmet promises.
The protests have united various local communities, including tribals, Dalits, OBCs, and Muslims. “The company tries to divide us on the basis of caste because in Jharkhand, caste plays a vital role,” Dangi explained.
During the mahapanchayat, attendees engaged in chants, songs, and skits to oppose the coal proposals, with placards prominently displaying slogans like “Adani Go Back!” A ten-point pledge was also presented, emphasizing their commitment to resist the projects.
Adani’s Gondalpura coal block, estimated to hold 176 million tonnes of coal, was auctioned in November 2020. The project, approximated to cost ₹1 lakh crore, threatens to displace local agriculture and devastate over 500 hectares of farmland and forest.
On October 4, 2024, there was an escalated incident where police fired shots at villagers attempting to dismantle barricades established by Adani. Activists condemned the police action, asserting it was an unjustified response to peaceful protests.
Savanti Kumari, a participant from Harli village, emphasized that previous experiences have shown that such projects lead to environmental degradation and disruption of community life. “They are going to ruin the environment and our land,” she stated, underscoring a shared commitment among the villagers to protect their resources.
Villagers have also reported intimidation tactics, including false FIRs aimed at stifling dissent. “If this is not harassment and intimidation, then what is this?” Kumar questioned.
The local populace primarily relies on agriculture for their livelihood, and the encroachment of mining practices poses a dire threat to their way of life. As the struggle intensifies, villagers articulate that it is not merely a question of land but a fight for their very existence.
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