Concerns rise with growing number of tribal community voicing discontent with recent land transfer policy changes.
Satya Prakash Nayak
Bhubaneswar January 3, 2024
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha is facing an increasing wave of discontent among the tribal communities due to recent controversial decisions involving tribal land and resources. The allocation of the Sijhimali bauxite mine to Vedanta and the Odisha government’s decision allowing non-tribals to purchase tribal lands have triggered significant backlash, potentially eroding the party’s support from the tribal vote base.
The contentious move to hand over the Sijhimali bauxite mine to Vedanta, a multinational corporation, has been met with fervent opposition from tribal communities in Raygada,Koraput, Malkangiri and Kalahandi districts. Critics argue that this decision could lead to loss of livelihoods of locals, environmental degradation, displacement of indigenous populations, and the erosion of their cultural heritage. The state BJD government’s pro company actions alignment with such a decision has caused disillusionment among those who have been supporting the party for last couple of decades.
Further escalating tensions is the Odisha government’s decision to allow non-tribals to purchase tribal lands. Tribal communities’ socioeconomic fabric is viewed as being threatened by this action, which could result in their exclusion from their own ancestral lands. The decision would lead to large number of tribal people become landless and displaced soon. It has incited feelings of betrayal among tribal people and organisations and directly violates previous safeguards put in place to protect tribal lands. Though the state govt has withheld the cabinet decision overnight fearing negative outcome in the upcoming polls, the outrage among the tribal communities is difficult to dia down since the controversial decision was withheld instead of being withdrawn.
It will now be difficult for Biju Janata Dal leaders to win back the tribal electorate’s trust and support, which has been a key component of their political success. The dissatisfaction voiced by leaders and tribes points to a difficult road ahead for the party in the next elections, says Dharanidhar Naik, a tribal leader from Raygada.
In an effort to allay their worries and restate their commitment to defending indigenous rights and interests, the BJD leadership has opened discussions with tribal leaders and community groups in response to the mounting discontent.
The anger and outrage was clearly visible among the hundreds of protesting tribals gathered in Bhubaneswar last week. Massive public agitation platforms representing various regions and interests have united in a collective outcry against displacement and mining activities in Odisha. Groups such as the Malkangiri Surakhsya Samiti (Raygada-Kalahandi), Khandualamali Sthayi Surakshya Samiti (Kalahandi), Ma’a Mati Mali Surakshya Samiti (Raygada-Kalahandi), Jindal-Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (Dinkia charidesh), the Jiban, Jivika Paribesh surakshya samiti (Sipsarubali, Puri), orchestrated a significant protest rally in Bhubaneswar.
A delegation comprised of representatives from these diverse movements met the governor, pressing for the cancellation of all mining leases granted to national/foreign companies within the Fifth Scheduled Area. They vehemently demanded an end to the forceful suppression of agitations and the withdrawal of false cases against the locals, tribals and mass agitation participants. The group also highlighted concerns about the new Forest Conservation Amendment Act-2023, which they perceive as promoting exploitative capitalist development at the expense of local communities and environments.
The core question posed by these demonstrations and demanded response from the state government and political parties’ stance on whether they prioritize corporate interests or the well-being of the people They demand clarity on whether the support lies with companies that potentially jeopardize livelihoods, cultures, and the environment in the name of progress or with the preservation and protection of the populace.
Determining the party’s position and support among the tribal community will probably depend greatly on how these talks turn out and what the BJD does next. The impact that these policy choices would have on the Biju Janata Dal’s electoral prospects will continue to be a topic of discussion and worry as the political landscape changes.
Note: The article does not claim definite results or political forecasts; rather, it reflects the general consensus surrounding previous actions.
The author tried to summarize the development that emphasised the main issues with the BJD’s policies and how they might affect the tribal vote. If you would like any specific perspectives or further information, you can send your views to
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