We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Raghu Midiyami 

28/02/2025

Our statement on the arrest of Raghu Midiyami (23), a prominent young leader of the Moolniwasi Bachao Manch, under the false pretext of being linked to Maoists, is a blatant attempt to silence dissent and crush the legitimate struggles of Adivasi(indigenous) communities in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region. This is not just an attack on Raghu Midiyami but an assault on the fundamental rights of indigenous people to resist oppression and demand justice.

Raghu Midiyami has been at the forefront of peaceful protests against the establishment of police camps in tribal areas, which have only brought more violence, intimidation, and displacement to the already marginalized Adivasi communities. Instead of addressing the genuine grievances of the tribals, the state has chosen to brand their voices as "Maoist sympathizers" and criminalize their resistance.

This familiar tactic is used to delegitimise and suppress movements that challenge state power and corporate interests in resource-rich regions like Bastar. By labeling activists as Maoists, the authorities are attempting to justify their heavy-handed repression and divert attention from the systemic violence and exploitation faced by tribal communities.

We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Raghu Midiyami and an end to the witch-hunt against tribal rights activists. The state must stop using the bogey of Maoism to stifle dissent and instead address the root causes of conflict in Bastar—land grabbing, environmental destruction, and the violation of tribal rights.

We stand in solidarity with the Moolniwasi Bachao Manch and all communities fighting for their dignity, land, and rights. The world is watching, and we will not remain silent while the voices of the oppressed are silenced.