TNI Bureau: Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das led a padyatra and addressed a massive public meeting in Dhinkia, Jagatsinghpur district, protesting the transfer of thousands of acres of forest land to JSW without Gram Sabha consent, which he said has endangered the livelihoods of local communities.

Speaking at the gathering, Bhakta Das alleged that the state and central governments were violating the Forest Rights Act by handing over forest land to a mining company, threatening the displacement of tribal and forest-dependent people. He recalled the Niyamgiri movement, where strong public opposition and legal intervention prevented mining and protected tribal communities from displacement.

Das said he had personally participated in grassroots mobilisation during the Niyamgiri movement and credited united, non-violent resistance for stopping mining operations there. He also referred to ongoing protests in Rajgangpur in Sundargarh district, where thousands of tribals and local residents are opposing alleged irregularities by mining companies, with Congress leaders joining the agitation.

He asserted that displacement should not take place unless affected families are provided land for land, housing for housing, and livelihood for livelihood. He also highlighted the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, passed during the Congress-led government, which mandates compensation at market value and safeguards for displaced people.

Questioning the government’s policies, Das asked how a democratically elected government could hand over land, water and forests to private companies, and accused the administration of treating citizens as voters only, not as rights-holders. He also raised concerns over coal production and export, claiming that while Odisha produces large quantities of coal, local farmers continue to pay high electricity costs.

Das further alleged that industries are polluting without adequate regulation and that people who have lived in the area for 150 to 200 years are being denied land titles, despite their legal entitlement. He said tribal communities, including those in Niyamgiri, have remained peaceful despite facing severe injustice and displacement.

Calling for unity, Das urged people to protect their land, water and environment through non-violent means, assuring them that the Congress party stands firmly with the common people, farmers, and forest-dependent communities to protect their rights, dignity, and livelihoods, and will continue to fight this injustice through all constitutional means.

The rally was attended by Odisha Congress in-charge Ajay Kumar Lallu, Jagatsinghpur District Congress President Devi Prasad Nayak, Zilla Parishad member Pinaki Narayan Das, PCC Vice President Dr. Lalatendu Mohapatra, former district Congress president Natabar Barik, Niranjan Nayak, several women leaders, and thousands of party workers and local residents.