Ram Navami was never observed so boisterously in Bastar. But according to a senior tribal activist, the festival has turned into a display of power rather than a celebration. ‘The right wing is ensuring that they’re heard loud and clear,’ the activist said.
By Gargi Verma
Dantewada: As National Highway 30 winds upwards from the Keshkal ghats in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, several makeshift armed checkpoints pop up on either side of the road. Sweating profusely, the troops manning these booths are a mixture of local and national forces. They check every vehicle – a move symbolising the approaching general assembly elections in six districts of the state, for one of its 11 seats.
Dotting the mostly green and brown landscape are exponentially increasing orange flags, banners, and even sky balloons, celebrating Ram Navami. Even as elections approach, the tribal-dominated Bastar has taken a saffron turn, celebrating a festival with little to no history in the region.
Ram Navami, celebrated as the birth of Rama, was not always observed so boisterously in Bastar. In 2022, the Sukma chapter of Sarva Adiwasi Samaj, an umbrella body of tribals in the region, had written to the then Congress government rejecting an invitation to participate in Ram bhajan singing competitions, saying that tribal culture is different. However, in 2023, right-wing groups took out rallies on Ram Navami well into the night in several towns as well as all six district headquarters.
According to a senior tribal activist from the region, the festival has turned into a display of power rather than a celebration. “The right wing is ensuring that they’re heard loud and clear: they’re here and they have the support of the people,” the activist said.
This story was originally published in thewire.in. Read the full story here.