🌿 Justice for the Ghasia Adivasis: A Step Forward, A Struggle That Continues
Case No. 6238/24/69/2025
Date: 11 June 2025
Author: Lenin Raghuvanshi, PVCHR
Contributor: Shruti Nagvanshi, Jan Mitra Nyas
✊🏽 A Milestone in the Struggle for Justice
On 11th June 2025, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took a significant step by issuing a notice to the District Magistrate of Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, in response to a complaint submitted by Shruti Nagvanshi of Jan Mitra Nyas and PVCHR.
The case concerns the forcible eviction of the Ghasia Adivasi community from Rop village, where they have lived for over 36 years on 1.5 hectares of forest land. In the name of development, these indigenous families were served eviction notices without compensation or proper rehabilitation, violating their basic human rights and threatening their identity, livelihood, and dignity.
📜 NHRC Steps In
In a letter issued by Assistant Registrar (Law), Brijvir Singh, the NHRC directed the District Magistrate of Sonbhadra to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within two weeks and investigate the allegations. The notice, signed under the direction of Hon’ble Member Shri Priyank Kanoongo, stated:
"The allegations made in the complaint prima facie seem to be serious violations of the human rights of the victims."
This recognition by the NHRC is a victory — not only for the Ghasia community but also for the tireless human rights defenders who brought this issue to national attention.
💔 The Hatage — Reality on the Ground
While the NHRC notice marks a critical institutional response, the ground realities remain grim.
The relocation site, proposed under the Kanshiram Awas Yojana, is devoid of basic infrastructure — no drinking water, no sanitation, no livelihood support. Families like those of Ms. Fulwa and Ms. Kali, single mothers battling poverty and malnutrition, are left in limbo, gripped by fear and uncertainty.
These are not just statistics — they are living stories of resilience, of a community that has withstood decades of marginalization only to face further displacement and erasure.
🛑 What We Demand
The letter submitted by Shruti Nagvanshi to the NHRC outlined urgent appeals, including:
-
Immediate halt to forced evictions.
-
Legal recognition of land tenure rights under constitutional and legal protections.
-
Community consultation before any relocation.
-
Rehabilitation in accordance with national laws on land acquisition and resettlement.
This is a call to conscience — to uphold justice, dignity, and democracy for India's most marginalized.
🗞️ Read the Ground Report
🔗 Fear of Being Displaced Again: The Struggle of the Ghasia Community in Sonbhadra
This report by Sabrang India sheds light on the lived experiences behind the complaint. It captures the raw voices, the unseen pain, and the unbreakable hope of the Ghasia community.
✨ Our Commitment
At Jan Mitra Nyas and PVCHR, we remain committed to standing with the Ghasia community and all those struggling at the margins — for their land, their bread, and their identity. This success is only a first step; the journey for justice continues.
We invite all civil society members, legal experts, media, and concerned citizens to stand with us in this fight for inclusive democracy and human rights.
📍 Issued from the heart of Kashi, Varanasi — in solidarity with the voiceless.
🔖 #GhasiaRights #AdivasiJustice #HumanRights #NHRC #PVCHR #ShrutiNagvanshi #LeninRaghuvanshi #PluralisticDemocracy #LandJustice #JanMitraNyas
The Acting Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission
Manav Adhikar Bhawan, Block-C, GPO Complex, INA
New Delhi – 110023
Subject: Urgent Petition for Protection and Land Rights of Ghasia Adivasi Community Facing Forced Displacement in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh
Respected Chairperson,
We bring to your urgent attention the distressing situation faced by the indigenous Ghasia community residing in Rop village, Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh. For decades, these Adivasis have called this land home, living in harmony with the environment and practicing their traditional livelihoods. However, recent developments threaten to uproot them forcibly, putting their livelihoods, cultural heritage, and very existence at risk.
The Ghasia community has resided on approximately 1.5 hectares of land, which they have cultivated and cared for over the past 36 years. Recently, they have been served an eviction notice by the local administration, demanding that they vacate the area without offering adequate alternative housing or compensation. The designated relocation site, Kanshiram Awas Yojana, lacks basic facilities, and the families were not given an opportunity to inspect the proposed settlement.
The relocation order has created a sense of fear and instability among the community members, many of whom are elderly, disabled, or economically vulnerable. Families like that of Ms. Fulwa and Ms. Kali, who are single mothers struggling with extreme poverty and malnutrition, face an uncertain future without support or safety nets. The Ghasia people have endured generations of hardship, including historical marginalization and discrimination. Further displacement not only disrupts their lives but also risks erasing their unique cultural heritage and livelihood skills.
Given these circumstances, we earnestly request the National Human Rights Commission to:
- Intervene urgently to halt any forced evictions in Rop village, Sonbhadra, until adequate and culturally appropriate resettlement options are provided.
- Mandate a comprehensive review of the land tenure rights of the Ghasia Adivasis under relevant legal frameworks such as the Zameen Aadhikar, Zamindari Abolition, and Land Reforms Act, and ensure their rights are recognized and protected.
- Ensure accountability and transparency by directing the local administration to consult with community members, human rights organizations, and legal experts to devise a fair and humane solution.
- Provide compensation and rehabilitation to affected families in accordance with the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act, and guarantee provisions for adequate housing, health, and education facilities.
The Ghasia community’s plea is a call for their rights to be upheld, their heritage respected, and their futures safeguarded. For a detailed report on their plight, please refer to the ground report linked below:
Fear of Being Displaced Again: The Struggle of the Ghasia Community in Sonbhadra
We look forward to the Commission’s intervention to prevent an impending human rights violation and to secure justice for the Ghasia community.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
Shruti Ngavanshi
Shruti Nagvanshi
Co-Founder, Managing Trustee, and Chief Functionary
JanMitra Nyas
Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC of the United Nations
SA 4/2 A Daulatpur, Varanasi - 221002, India
Mobile: +91-9935599330 and +91-9935599333
Website: www.janmitranyas.in
JanMitra Nyas:Pioneering Health Equity at the Grassroots
Wikipedia: Shruti Nagvanshi, People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights
| Case No.- 6238/24/69/2025 |
| NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION |
| (LAW DIVISION) |
| * * * |
| MANAV ADHIKAR BHAWAN, BLOCK-C, |
| G.P.O. COMPLEX, INA, NEW DELHI- 110023 |
| Fax No.: 011-24651332 Website: www.nhrc.nic.in |
| Date : 11/06/2025 |
| To, |
| THE DISTRICT MAGISTRATE SONEBHADRA UTTAR PRADESH Email- dmson@nic.in |
| Sub : Complaint/Intimation from |
SHRUTI NAGVANSHI |
| Subject: Action Taken Report Called for(ATR) -6238/24/69/2025. |
| Sir/Madam, |
| The complaint/intimation dated 14/11/2024, was placed before the Commission on 11/06/2025. Upon perusing the same, the Commission directed as follows: |
| The Protection of Human Rights Act,1993 has entrusted the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India,with the responsibility of protecting and promoting the rights of all human beings in the country and has the powers of a civil court for inquiry u/s 13 of the PHR Act,1993. The allegations made in the complaint prima facie seem to be serious violations of the human rights of the victims. The Bench of the National Human Rights Commission, presided by Shri Priyank Kanoongo, Hon'ble Member, has taken cognizance in terms of Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, in the matter. The Registry is directed to issue a notice to the District Magistrate,Sonebhadra, Uttar Pradesh, with directions to get allegations made in the complaint inquired into and to submit an Action Taken Report within two weeks for perusal of the Commission. |
| 2. Accordingly, I am forwarding herewith a copy of the complaint/intimation as an attachment for taking appropriate action in the matter as per the directions of the Commission. It is requested that an Action Taken Report be sent to the Commission within 2 weeks from the date of receipt of this letter. |
| 3. Any communication by public authorities in this matter may please be sent to the Commission through the HRCNet Portal (https://hrcnet.nic.in) by using id and password already provided to the public authorities (click Authority Login). Any Audio/ Video CDs/ pen drives etc. may be sent through Speed Post/ per bearer. The reports/ responses sent through email may not be entertained. |
Your’s faithfully |
Justice for the Ghasia Adivasis: A Step Forward, A Struggle That Continues by pvchr.india9214 on Scribd
No comments:
Post a Comment