Adivasis to protest tomorrow as quota feud with Lambadas reaches flashpoint

KUMRAMBHEEM ASIFABAD : The simmering differences between Adivasis (Gonds) and Banjaras (Lambadas)  in the Agency areas of erstwhile Adilabad district, more particularly in the tribal-dominated Asifabad district, have reached a flashpoint with the Adivasi leaders giving a call for a massive protest at the Asifabad district headquarters on October 12 following the recent turn of events.

The Adivasis accuse Lambadas, who migrate from neighbouring Maharashtra to the district, of taking up government jobs and drawing other benefits meant for them.  In Maharashtra, Lambadas fall under BC category whereas in Telangana they come under ST category.  The contention of Adivasis is that the Lambadas, who are more educated compared to them, are cutting into their share of reservation in jobs and others.

Amid this background, the Adivasis had vandalised the statue of a deity of Lambadas at the Kumrambheem Museum at Jodeghat, on October 5.  They claim that Kumrambheem is their leader and the Lambadas cannot have their deity in their museum. Leaders of Lambada organisations took to streets and burnt former MLA Soyam Bapu Rao, a Gond leader, in effigy, holding him responsible for the attacks on Lambadas. 

Kerameri police registered a case against several leaders including Soyam Bapu Rao and eight others. Five others, who were involved in the burning of the statue, are still absconding, police said.
Meanwhile, Adivasi Hakkula Porata Samithi contended that the tribal museum is dedicated to Kumrambheem in memory of his fight against the Nizam rule and the museum should not have any article related to others.