Kerala Congress factions join protest over draft Forest Bill

While Kerala Congress has accused the State government of orchestrating a plan to displace people living on forest boundaries, the rival faction has called for a thorough investigation into provisions of the Bill that allegedly contradict SC directives

With the anger over the draft Kerala Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2024, looking to boil over into a massive protest movement in central Travancore, the Kerala Congress factions have begun amplifying the concerns of the Catholic Church as well as various farmer organisations in this regard.

While the Kerala Congress, a United Democratic Front ally, has accused the State government of orchestrating a plan to displace people living on forest boundaries, the rival faction has called for a thorough investigation into provisions of the Bill that allegedly contradict the Supreme Court directives.

Jose K. Mani, chairperson of the Kerala Congress (M), described the Bill as a covert attempt by senior bureaucrats to expand forest habitats at the expense of farmers. “This is a calculated move to displace farmers living in panchayats bordering forests,’‘ he alleged, urging Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to intervene and prevent the advancing of the Bill in the Assembly.

‘Anti-people’

The draft Bill, notified on November 1, 2024, via gazette notification (18556/2024), has drawn ire for several controversial provisions. According to Mr. Mani, these amendments are “anti-people,” designed to intimidate and harass residents of forest-fringe areas.

The Kerala Congress led by P.J. Joseph too has raised concerns about the Bill’s implications on forest-fringe farmers. K. Francis George, MP, alleged that the Left Democratic Front government is attempting to evict 1.5 lakh people from farmland across 430 panchayats in the State by exploiting fears of wild animal attacks. “By expanding the forest area, the government is eyeing Central funds and other benefits,’‘ he said.

One of the most contentious aspects is the proposed amendment to Section 63 of the Kerala Forest Act, which allows the Forest department to arrest individuals without a warrant and detain them indefinitely without court notification. Critics argue that such provisions violate the Supreme Court guidelines and civil rights.

“How did this clause pass legal scrutiny by the Law Secretary when it clearly breaches the Supreme Court’s guidelines on arrests and the rights of citizens?” questioned Mr. George.

Published - December 15, 2024 08:40 pm IST