Jharkhand Janadhikar Party president Bandhu Tirkey rides a rompa (wooden horse) at the Adivasi Adhikar Rally in Ranchi. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, Nov. 30: It was time for some history lessons at the first anti-government rally at the capital?s Morabadi ground today.

Addressing the ?Adivasi Adhikar Maha Rally?, chief convener of the Adivasi Adhikar Morcha (AAM) Salkhan Murmu called upon tribals to take lessons from how people in Philippines, Manipur, Assam and Bihar protected their constitutional rights in the face of adversities.

Senior politicians, including CPM politburo member Biman Bose, CPI(ML) state secretary J. Minz, Bharat Jan Andolan president B.D. Sharma and Mandar MLA Bandhu Tirkey took part in the rally which was supported by the Left parties.

Murmu, urging the tribals to take a lesson or two from the people of Philippines, said: ?About 20 years ago, Philippines was under the control of Ferdinand Marcos. The autocrat persecuted the Roman Catholics, who comprised the majority (90 per cent) of the country?s population. When his atrocities became unbearable, one Cardinal Sin brought together his followers and waged a war on Marcos. Eventually, the autocrat was ousted and justice was done.?

Murmu then compared Cardinal Sin with Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo, who has already expressed his displeasure over the government?s stand vis-?-vis the panchayat elections.

The AAM chief convener said the situation in Manipur, where tribal leaders remained mute spectators when Nagas grabbed their land to create a Greater Nagaland, was similar to the one seen in today?s Jharkhand.

Angry tribal citizens of the state then gave vent to their ire by torching the houses of MLAs and MPs and the state Assembly as a mark of protest. The public representatives eventually had to tender their resignation.

The tribal leader was all praise for the Bodos of Assam, ?who remained in the power centre due to their unity and solidarity and taught all those who were opposed to them a lesson?.

?Nearer home, one can learn lessons from the Muslims of Bihar who comprise 16.5 per cent of the population. They are so organised that one can not imagine a government in the state without their support,? said Murmu.

Left Front chairman and CPM veteran Biman Bose said the development of tribals was a must for the development of the country, adding that his party would oppose any move to deprive the Adivasis of their rights.

Minz said the ?attack? on Pesa was an attempt to abolish the Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act. The other speakers, too, stressed the need for united action.