BONGAIGAON, Oct 27 � The Kurukh (Oraon) language can bring about unity among the Adivasis. The promotion, practice and development of the language can empower the Adivasis to fight for their due rights and it will also strengthen the demand of ST status. This was the opinion of the experts of the language, who participated in the 5th National Conference of Kurukh Literary Society of India (KLSI) organised at the district library premises from October 21-24 here.
The conference took three primary resolutions as their core demands after holding seminars and discussions. These were: inclusion of Kurukh language under the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, introduction of Kurukh language as a subject in primary school level and scheduling of the Adivasis as a tribe. It is to be mentioned that the Kurukh language is being taught in three universities of Jharkhand up to PhD level. But the language has not been introduced even at the school level in Assam as yet. So, the conference called upon its people to come forward and work for the development of the language.
The president of the KLSI, Dr Hari Oraon while talking to media said that Adivasis of Assam are more deprived socially, economically and politically than the Adivasis of Jharkhand. The Assam government should do something for the betterment of the community. On the other hand, the former principal of Gosnar College, Ranchi, Dr Nirmal Minz expressed serious concern regarding the suffering of Adivasis living in Assam and other parts of the country.
He opined that without the backing of strong civil society groups oppressed and deprived Adivasis and other poor communities cannot live in this country, as in the interests of corporate groups, attempt has been taken to eliminate the downtrodden class of people in the country by some corrupt politicians and bureaucrats, Dr Minz said and added that at present the Adivasis of the country are the fresh victims of a green hunt.
Similarly, the invited guest from Ranchi, Augustin Kerketta said that the world recommended concept of �sustainable development� is seen to be quite opposite in the case of the right of the Adivasis to live in forest as this concept not be implemented by evicting Adivasis from their dwellings on forest land, Kerketta pointed out in his simple but serious talk with this correspondent.
An open session was held on October 24 at ITI field, Minister Prithivi Majhi being present as the chief guest. He spoke on similarities and variations of Adivasi languages, and also announced his support for the Kurukh language.
The minister replying to the question of mediapersons said that he does not think that the Adivasis of Jharkhand are economically or politically much better than the the Adivasis of the State. Regarding atrocities committed against the Adivasis in the Bodo belt in the name of eviction from forest land, the minister said that since the crisis has not come to his notice, he will not make any comment. It is to be noted that ASSA president Bosko Charmako explicitly presented the plight of Adivasis of the Bodo belt in his speech in the open session before the minister.
