Indigenous Peoples’ Rights: Indigenous peoples’ rights must be protected for sake of humanity: Mamata Banerjee | India News
“On this International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, let’s celebrate their vibrant traditions, art, and heritage that enrich our state’s identity. Let’s pledge to walk alongside our Adivasi brethren,” Banerjee tweeted.
“May the people of this state, this nation, and the world at large rise above differences of caste, creed, religion, and race to uphold and protect the rights of indigenous peoples, because this isn’t just about one community; it’s about humanity,” she added.
She said the “cultural tapestry of Bengal is woven with threads from diverse indigenous communities”.
Banerjee is on a three-day administrative tour to Jhargram district, which is mostly inhabited by indigenous people.
Soon after reaching the western district on Tuesday, she held a meeting with leaders of the Kurmi community, who have been demanding ST status.
She listened to their problems and demands and assured them of all assistance.
The ‘International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples’ is celebrated on August 9 to raise awareness of the inequities faced by people of such communities over in 90 countries across the world.
According to United Nations, indigenous communities, people and nations are those which, having a historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies that developed on their territories, consider themselves distinct from other sectors of the societies now prevailing on those territories, or parts of them.
