Adivasi women of Bastar district successfully observed March 8, 2000 as International Women’s Day (Mahila Divas) with great enthusiasm in numerous villages. In order to participate in these functions, thousands of women traversed long distances from remote areas. Braving police repression, the forests resounded with slogans, as a sea of red flags, made the forest look afire.

For centuries these adivasi women have been crushed, not only by feudal exploitation, but also by suppression by the village heads in the name of caste and tradition. Now these women gave rebelled, under guidance of the party and through mobilisation in their women’s organisation, the KAMS. With hatred against male domination, forced marriages, child marriages, polygamy, etc. , these women were determined to move shoulder to shoulder with the international women’s movement— for equality and a new just society.

Here we give a picture of the meetings in Bijapur taluk (of South Bastar) some of which were attended by this correspondent. In total seven programmes were held, involving 6,000 people from 60 villages. 15 days prior to the Mahila Divas function, some nine campaign teams toured the whole area. They were accompanied by the CNM cultural troupe. They presented songs, plays and speeches on issues relating to women’s oppression. Besides, the squads held meetings, displaying posters and banners, to explain to the people the international significance of the Day.

On the day of the function, the area was decorated with festoons and a sea of red flags were swaying in the wind. A make-shift stage was made from bamboo sticks. Speeches by the presidents and Range Committee (RC) members of the KAMS was followed by cultural functions put up by the CNM (Chaitanya Natya Manch) troupe.

In village Morsel of the Gangalur range, the meeting took place under the leadership of the president of the RC, Com. Sukki nanu. She, together with the village KAMS president, Sanni, and the president of the DAKMS (peasant organisation), Sukku dada, addressed the people.

In Maddum village of Gangalur range, under the leadership of the RC KAMS president, some 2000 people from the surrounding villages participated. Of these, 1,500 were women. Along with the RC president, Kungili Nanu, some village-level DAKMS presidents also addressed the meeting.

In Kanka village of Bilaspur range, 1,200 people, including 700 women participated. To participate in this programme, women walked long distances. Many were old, while others had infants in their arms.

In Korma village under the leadership of the Jommalakki RC, 800 people from the surrounding 10 villages attended the function.

In Peddam village of Bairamgarh Range, some 1,100 people participated. In Kudukumu village of the same range, 500 people participated. Some 900 women participated in these two programmes which was presided over by RC members, Com. Lakke nanu, Jayamati and Kumme.

Women participating in a mass training camp in Dandakaranya

(i) In the Palakajeedi area of Koyyuru mandal (Vishakhapatnam district) a seven-member women’s team campaigned in 15 villages explaining to the women about the importance of International Women’s Day. On March 8th, 2000 they held a meeting in Gangavaram village. 200 women from 15 villages participated in the program. The meeting was presided by Com. Swarna (Deputy Commander, Yellavaram squad). She said in her speech that the landlords, traders, bad gentry of Vishakha and the East Godavari Agency area are suppressing women economically, politically, socially and culturally by imposing patriarchal traditions on them. She also said that the Chandrababu Naidu government is making a big noise about 33 per cent reservations for women in the legislative bodies without moving an inch in that direction. She concluded her speech by saying that to change this oppressive society rebellion is the only way before women. In this meeting Coms. Bhagat, Anita and Prasad also spoke. The meeting ended with revolutionary slogans, songs and dances condemning feudal culture and values.

(ii) On the eve of March 8th International Women’s Day, the Korukonda Area LGS organised a one day class for women on the CC’s Women Orientation Circular. 20 women from 6 villages participated in the one day class and discussed women’s problems. The one day class adopted resolutions condemning child marriages, forcible marriages and the multiple wives system.

March 8th Women’s Day was also observed in Gondipalli village. The members from the AVMS (Adivasi Vimukti Mahila Sangam) and ARCS (Adivasi Rytu Coolie Sangam) spoke at the meeting. All the speakers condemned all types oppression on women as well as caste oppression and big gentry oppression in Adivasi society. They gave a call to Adivasi women to mobilise to fight against all these evils in society. The meeting adopted three resolutions condemning child marriages, forcible marriages and the multiple wives system. Over 100 women and some men from 6 villages participated in this meeting.

Women lining up to pay homage to the fallen martyrs in an AP village