30,000 Tribal Farmers March for Land Rights in Maharashtra

Draupadi Bhuyal has spent 50 years fighting for something that should have been hers all along: legal ownership of the land eight generations of her family have farmed. Now, she's one of 30,000 tribal farmers making that fight impossible to ignore.

The massive march started Monday in Maharashtra's Palghar district, where farmers walked 60 kilometers to the Collector's office. They're demanding recognition under the Forest Rights Act, which promises to transfer ownership of forest land to tribal communities who have worked it for generations.

For many protesters, the stakes couldn't be higher. Surekha Danane, a 66-year-old rice farmer, officially owns just 1,000 square feet of land despite her family farming five times that amount. Sunita Kongil supports a family of nine on a single gunta, barely enough space for a small home, let alone growing food.

The lack of legal documentation has real consequences beyond farming. When infrastructure projects require land acquisition, compensation often goes to registered landlords rather than the tribal families actually working the soil. Some protesters fear displacement without any proof of ownership to claim their rights.

Why This Inspires

What makes this protest remarkable isn't just its size. It's the determination of people like Bhuyal, who told reporters she hopes her grandchildren won't have to fight the same battles. Women make up a significant portion of the marchers, many of them farmers in their own right who want security for the next generation.

The march brought together farmers from six different regions, walking peacefully for two days. Police officials estimated the crowd at 30,000 strong. Participants brought supplies to camp outside the government office, vowing to stay until officials address their concerns.

Their demands include full implementation of existing laws meant to protect tribal land rights, along with issues affecting daily life like disputed electricity bills from recently installed smart meters. Some families reported monthly charges of 5,000 rupees for basic lighting in one-room homes.

The protesters aren't asking for handouts. They're asking for recognition of work their families have done for generations, farming land that has sustained them through decades of uncertainty.

As one marcher put it simply: "Unless we get all our papers stamped, we won't go home." Their peaceful persistence shows what's possible when communities unite for a fair cause.