In my first field visit to Hasanasur area, I had a chance to meet Ittarai – oor thalaivar (Village Leader) Ayyasamy. When I asked him about the Forest Right Act, he became dull and spoke in frustration. He said that he is very tired of travelling to government offices and meeting with officials. He strongly believes nothing is going to happen and he is not interested to follow up the process of claiming the forest rights. In my conversation with Ayyasamy, he often told me that the government officials are not giving proper respect to him and his people. He used the word respect, and self-respect at least five times. while explaining the reasons for being inactive in the process of getting the forest right. We are aware about the working of power. It mostly denies justice to the powerless people. But like the graded inequality seen in the Indian society, denial of respect is rooted with the identity of the powerless people.
The conversation with Ayyasamy brought conflicting thoughts within me as to which is more important – land rights or self-respect? I did not have an answer at that time to tell Ayyasamy. But after some reflection, I have something to tell Ayyasamy during my next field visit. All our demands and reclamation of our rights like- forest rights, land rights are not just demanding of rights, but a way of reclaiming our self-respect, and our communities’ respect. When we become powerful the working of power towards us will also change. History has shown great leaders who liberate their people and demand their people’s self-respect by compromising and not being bothered about their own self-respect. So, we should continue our fight/demand for forest rights because it offers a way to reclaim our self-respect.
By Bagavanidhi
