SULTHAN BATTERY, Wayanad — A coalition of Adivasi and Dalit representatives convened in Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad, on Sunday for a Declaration of Rights gathering, issuing a formal demand for justice for the victims of the Jogi and Muthanga violence. The convention served as both a commemorative assembly and a political platform to challenge the state’s historical handling of land disputes and the subsequent use of force against marginalized communities.
The event was inaugurated by Bommi Amma of Cheeral, recognized as the oldest surviving participant of the Muthanga struggle. Her presence provided a living link to the events of the early 2000s, framing the current demands not as new grievances, but as an unresolved legacy of state violence and systemic dispossession.
The Proceedings of the Convention
The gathering in Sulthan Bathery focused on the intersection of land rights, identity, and the pursuit of legal redress. Participants utilized the convention to articulate a “Declaration of Rights,” a document intended to outline the specific requirements for social and legal justice for those affected by the violence in the Jogi and Muthanga regions.
A central theme of the assembly was the demand for accountability regarding the police actions and state interventions that occurred during the land struggles. Speakers highlighted the long-term psychological and economic trauma experienced by the victims, arguing that the passage of time has not diminished the need for formal recognition of the wrongs committed. The convention called for a comprehensive review of the cases associated with the violence, seeking to clear the names of those wrongfully accused and provide reparations to the families of those killed or injured.
Why This Matters
The convention is significant because it signals a refusal by Adivasi and Dalit communities to accept the official narratives surrounding the Muthanga and Jogi incidents. By organizing a formal “Declaration of Rights,” the participants are attempting to shift the discourse from one of “government benevolence” or “welfare schemes” to one of “legal rights” and “state accountability.”
In the context of Kerala’s political landscape, which often prides itself on progressive social indicators, the persistence of these grievances exposes a gap between state policy and the lived experience of its most marginalized citizens. The demand for justice in Jogi and Muthanga is not merely about the specific events of the past, but about the ongoing struggle for land tenure and the right to self-determination for indigenous and Dalit populations.
Analysis:
The convening of this assembly in Wayanad highlights the enduring nature of land and rights disputes involving Adivasi and Dalit communities in Kerala. By centering the event around the “Declaration of Rights” and utilizing the presence of a survivor from the Muthanga struggle, the organizers are linking current demands for justice to historical state interactions with marginalized groups. The focus on “justice” suggests a continued dissatisfaction with previous government resolutions or judicial outcomes regarding the violence in Jogi and Muthanga. This strategic framing transforms a local grievance into a broader critique of institutional failure, suggesting that the state’s failure to provide closure in these cases serves as a deterrent to current land-rights activism.
Background and Context
The violence in Muthanga and Jogi is rooted in the long-standing struggle for land rights among the Adivasi (indigenous) and Dalit communities in the Western Ghats. For decades, these groups have campaigned for the implementation of land reforms and the return of ancestral lands that were encroached upon or seized by the state and private settlers.
The Muthanga struggle, in particular, became a flashpoint in the early 2000s when Adivasi activists occupied land, demanding the government fulfill its promises of land distribution. The state’s response was a massive police operation to evict the occupiers, which resulted in widespread violence, arrests, and allegations of severe police brutality. The “Jogi” incidents follow a similar pattern of conflict over land occupancy and the subsequent state-led crackdowns.
Historically, the Kerala government has attempted to address these issues through various land-assignment schemes and the creation of Adivasi colonies. However, critics and activists argue that these measures are often superficial, providing small plots of land that are insufficient for sustainable agriculture or cultural preservation, while failing to address the systemic legal barriers that prevent Adivasi and Dalit communities from securing permanent land titles.
What to Watch Next
The outcome of the Sulthan Bathery convention will likely depend on whether the “Declaration of Rights” is formally submitted to the state government and how the administration responds. Observers should monitor for the following developments:
First, whether the state government initiates any new commissions of inquiry or legal reviews into the Jogi and Muthanga violence. A refusal to engage with the specific demands for justice could lead to an escalation of protests in the Wayanad region.
Second, the potential for these localized demands to merge with broader state-wide Adivasi and Dalit movements. If the “Declaration of Rights” becomes a blueprint for other marginalized communities in Kerala, it could create a more unified front against the state’s land-management policies.
Third, the role of the judiciary. As the convention calls for legal redress, any subsequent petitions filed in the High Court or Supreme Court regarding the historical violence will be critical indicators of whether the state is held accountable for its past actions.
Conclusion
The Adivasi-Dalit convention in Sulthan Bathery serves as a stark reminder that the wounds of the Muthanga and Jogi violence remain open. By centering the narrative on the oldest survivors and a formal declaration of rights, the movement has moved beyond simple requests for aid, demanding instead a fundamental reckoning with the state’s use of force. As these communities continue to push for justice, the event underscores the fragility of social harmony when basic rights to land and dignity remain unresolved.
Sources:
The Hindu – National: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/adivasi-dalit-convention-seeks-justice-for-jogi-victims-of-muthanga-violence/article71325506.ece
Corrections
If you believe this article contains an error, contact Herald Express with the source URL and supporting evidence.
Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source
