Candlelight Vigil Condemns Killing of 400+ Adivasis Under Operation Kagar
Protesters demand end to Operation Kagar, call for peace talks and protection of Adivasi rights
Bengaluru | May 1, 2025 — Students and faculty members of Azim Premji University came together on May Day to hold a solemn protest and candlelight vigil in solidarity with the Adivasi communities of Bastar, Chhattisgarh, who they allege are facing a brutal state-led crackdown under the ongoing Operation Kagar.
Organised by the Spark Reading Circle, the gathering mourned the deaths of more than 400 Adivasis over the past 16 months, including women, children, and persons with disabilities. Protesters alleged that the violence is aimed at displacing indigenous communities to facilitate corporate mining projects in the mineral-rich region.
Among the victims were a six-month-old infant and a 14-year-old disabled girl who, according to protest organisers, was raped and killed. “These atrocities are not isolated incidents—they reflect a systematic and targeted campaign of displacement and dehumanisation,” said Sachin, a student member of the Spark Reading Circle.
Ceasefire Demands and Civil Society Appeals
Speakers at the protest condemned the government’s refusal to engage in peace talks despite a ceasefire offer by the CPI (Maoist) and ongoing appeals from human rights and civil society organisations. They called for an immediate end to Operation Kagar, which they described as a militarised campaign cloaked under the rhetoric of national security.
Anu, a faculty participant, stated, “You cannot talk about democracy while continuing a war against your own people. The government must prioritise dialogue over bullets.”
A Call to Protect Adivasi Resources
The protesters emphasised the need to safeguard Adivasi rights over their jal (water), jangal (forest), and jameen (land)—resources they say are being plundered in the name of development.
“This is not just a Bastar issue; it’s a national crisis of conscience. We must stand against this nexus of state and corporate violence,” said Junaid, another protest organiser.
The gathering concluded with a candlelight vigil, as attendees pledged to amplify Adivasi voices and continue building pressure for justice and accountability.
❓Key Q&A
Q: What was the protest about?
A: The protest, held on May 1 at Azim Premji University, condemned the ongoing military operation in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, where over 400 Adivasis—including children and the disabled—have reportedly been killed over 16 months.
Q: Who organised it?
A: Spark Reading Circle, a student collective at Azim Premji University, led the vigil and protest in solidarity with the Adivasi people.
Q: What triggered this response?
A: The alleged killing of a six-month-old baby and the rape-murder of a 14-year-old disabled girl highlighted the cruelty of the operation, prompting calls for national attention and action.
Q: What are the protesters demanding?
A: Immediate ceasefire, end of Operation Kagar, initiation of peace talks, and protection of Adivasi rights over land, forest, and water (Jal, Jangal, Jameen).
Q: What broader message is being sent?
A: Protesters are urging civil society to challenge the state-corporate nexus that prioritizes mining interests over indigenous lives.
