Adivasi rally in Dharampur over Par-Tapi-Narmada river link project, demand white paper

Thousands of Adivasis staged a massive rally in Dharampur in Valsad district on Thursday, voicing anger against the Gujarat government over the Par Tapi Narmada river link project.

The protest came a day after the government announced the scrapping of the project. In Valsad, the local MP even displayed an official letter claiming its cancellation. But Adivasi leaders and residents refused to trust either the government or its representatives, insisting on a formal white paper stating — in unambiguous terms — that no such project will ever be revived.

Holding placards and shouting slogans such as “Remove dams, save water, forests, and land,” the rally saw a huge turnout. Adivasi leaders declared they would not give up an inch of forest or land. Congress MLA Anant Patel reiterated the demand for a white paper carrying a permanent guarantee against any future plans for the river link.

Tensions spiked in the morning when Dang district police detained over 150 Adivasis en route to the rally. This triggered a scuffle at the Vathai checkpost between protestors and police. Patel lashed out at the Dang police and announced that the next rally would be held right in Vathai — with the meeting taking place at the police station itself.