Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 150
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 151
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
LATEST NEWS UPDATES | CRPF adopts mascot used by Maoists to rally tribals -Rakhi Chakrabarty

CRPF adopts mascot used by Maoists to rally tribals -Rakhi Chakrabarty

Share this article Share this article
published Published on Feb 25, 2013   modified Modified on Feb 25, 2013
-The Times of India

The CRPF have adopted a tribal mascot — Gond freedom fighter Gundadhur — to connect with the people in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region. So far, Gundadhur, who led the1910 Bhumkal rebellion against the British, was a mascot of the Maoists to rally tribals in their war against the Indian state.

Annual Bhumkal Divas celebrations on February 10 have often been bloodied by Maoist violence. While Maoists organized programmes and propaganda to mark the day, security forces ramped up vigil and deployment in affected districts across nine states.

The CRPF, battling the Maoists and several human rights violation charges in affected districts across states, have chosen Gundadhur as the mascot for their initiative to connect with tribals.

"The champion's trophy for the ongoing Abuj Madh Under 19 Football Tournament held in six districts of Bastar is named after Gundadhur," said Zulfiquar Hasan, IG CRPF in Chhattisgarh.

CRPF director-general Pranay Sahay is expected to attend the final match in Dantewada on Monday. In the run-up to the final, 120 teams, some from remote villages, played at 17 places across Bastar. "This was our attempt to connect with the local people. Willing participants will get a chance to join the CRPF," said Sahay.

An essay competition on Gundadhur was held for local youth. This spurred the youth to ferret information on Gundadhur. CRPF personnel, most of who don't belong to Chhattisgarh, too learnt about the tribal leader's contribution.

"This helped foster better understanding and respect for the local tribal population among our men," said Hasan.

The CRPF initiative to honour Gundadhur drew mixed response from tribal leaders and activists. While some called it a paradigm shift of sorts, others were sceptic. Sarva Adivasi Samaj leader B P S Netam said, "It's a good thing if the CRPF is helping raise awareness about Gundadhur's contribution." All India Adivasi Mahasabha president Manish Kunjam believed the CRPF initiative is more a strategy to root out the Maoists than to reach out to people. "Given CRPF's record, they need to change their attitude first," said Kunjam.

The CRPF though is buoyed by the response from villagers and have set up Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Football Club. "We plan to rope in the All Indian Football Federation to coach local youth," said Hasan.

The two finalist teams would also be taken for a tour to various cities, including Delhi, Kolkata and Vizag. For several adivasi boys, this would be their first train ride.

The Times of India, 25 February, 2013, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/CRPF-adopts-mascot-used-by-Maoists-to-rally-tribals/articleshow/18668154.cms


Related Articles

 

Write Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Video Archives

Archives

share on Facebook
Twitter
RSS
Feedback
Read Later

Contact Form

Please enter security code
      Close