: After their resolute opposition to bauxite mining that caught the world’s attention, the Dongria Kondh tribals living in the Niyamgiri hill range spread over Kalahandi and Rayagada districts of Odisha, have embarked upon another round of struggle to make their villages free of liquor and dowry.
Since these were two major factors affecting their lives and pushing them into a debt trap, the tribals living in the hill range have joined hands to fight the two social evils.
The community leaders, who are overseeing the self-conceptualised campaign, are keeping an eye on tribals returning home after consuming liquor at far off places.
First environmental referendum
The drive is being spearheaded by the Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti, which was instrumental in uniting the primitive Dongria Kondh tribals to oppose bauxite mining in Niyamgiri in the Gram Sabhas — dubbed as the country’s first environmental referendum.
The leaders and activists of the Samiti have been visiting 112 villages in Niyamgiri area requesting people not to consume either country-made or Indian made foreign liquor as it affects them financially and destroys peace in their families.
According to Lingaraj Azad, veteran tribal activist and advisor of the Samiti, they have largely succeeded in preventing trading of IMFL as well as manufacturing and trading of country liquor in remote hilltop villages.
However, there has been no restriction on consumption of Salap and Khajuri Tadi, the traditional brew that the locals collect by placing clay pots atop trees. However, trading in such brew too has been banned, with the people agreeing to the request of the Samiti activists.
The Samiti, according to Mr. Azad, has taken up the awareness drive against liquor in all sincerity, since the tribals were being won over by political parties during elections as well as by those trying to weaken their agitation against bauxite mining in Niyamgiri.
Bride money is another menace that the Samiti is fighting by making girls aware of its impact on the groom’s family. As per the practice, the brides in the region demand a ‘bride price’ for getting married. Over the years, the token bride price has become a burden as the groom’s family has to cough up about Rs. 30,000, if poor, and around Rs. 1,00,000, if rich — as the price of the wedding feast.
Since the amount is very high considering the average annual income of the tribals, the Samiti is trying to convince the villagers to organise mass wedding ceremonies to prevent unnecessary expenditures, said Azad.
