Hundreds of tribals, peasants and agricultural workers marched to the Sub-Divisional Officer’s (SDO) office in Dahanu in Maharashtra’s Palghar district on Tuesday, May 5, demanding action on long-pending land-related claims under the leadership of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS).
According to a press release issued by the organisations, nearly 15,000 people from Dahanu and Talasari tehsils participated in the mobilisation, making it one of the largest demonstrations on land rights in the district this year.
Protesters submitted thousands of claims linked to forest land, agricultural land, house sites and tenancy rights, while also raising concerns over access to irrigation, electricity, employment and welfare schemes.
Organisers stated that the Dahanu protest is part of a wider district-wide campaign and similar marches will be held at Sub-Divisional Offices across Palghar between May 6 and 12. Officials at the SDO office reportedly accepted the applications and assured demonstrators that the claims would be reviewed according to procedure.
Thousands Demand Land, Forest Rights
The rally witnessed the participation of large numbers of Adivasi families, small farmers, women agricultural workers and youth from villages spread across Palghar district. Protesters carrying red flags and placards marched through Dahanu town before gathering outside the SDO office, where delegations submitted memorandums and land-related applications.
According to CPI(M) and AIKS leaders, many tribal and farming families have cultivated forest and revenue land for decades but continue to lack legal ownership documents, leaving them vulnerable to displacement and exclusion from government benefits.
The organisations said the submitted claims included demands for ownership rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), regularisation of land under cultivation, recognition of house sites and resolution of pending tenancy disputes. Protesters argued that delays in processing claims have affected access to compensation schemes, bank loans, crop insurance and housing support.
Senior AIKS leader Dr Ashok Dhawale, while addressing the gathering, reportedly said that land rights are directly linked to survival and dignity for tribal communities and peasants in the region. CPI(M) MLA Vinod Nikole also addressed the protesters and urged the administration to ensure time-bound action on pending claims. Organisers alleged that despite repeated assurances from authorities in the past, thousands of applications remain unresolved.
Apart from land ownership, demonstrators also raised concerns related to irrigation facilities, drinking water shortages, employment opportunities, road connectivity, electricity supply and ration distribution in tribal areas.
Several participants reportedly shared how the absence of legal land titles affects their ability to access welfare schemes and secure stable livelihoods. The march remained peaceful, with police personnel deployed in the area to maintain order as the crowd assembled outside the SDO office.
According to reports, officials accepted the submitted documents and provided receipts acknowledging the applications. Protest leaders claimed that the administration assured them that the claims would be examined and forwarded through the required legal process.
District-Wide Land Rights Mobilisation
The Dahanu protest is not an isolated demonstration but part of a broader mobilisation campaign being carried out by CPI(M) and AIKS across Palghar district. Party leaders announced that similar rallies involving thousands of peasants and tribal residents would take place at every Sub-Divisional Office in the district between May 6 and 12. The organisations said the campaign aims to ensure that pending land claims are formally registered and processed without further delay.
Palghar district, which has a significant tribal population, has witnessed repeated protests over land rights, implementation of the Forest Rights Act and concerns linked to displacement due to infrastructure and industrial projects.
Activists working in the region have long argued that many Adivasi families remain dependent on forest land for cultivation and livelihood but continue to face administrative hurdles in securing legal recognition of their rights. The latest mobilisation also follows earlier large-scale protests and long marches organised by AIKS and CPI(M) in parts of Maharashtra earlier this year.
In January, thousands of Adivasis and farmers reportedly marched in Palghar, Nashik and nearby regions demanding implementation of forest rights, employment guarantees and action against forced displacement. Following those protests, district authorities had reportedly held discussions with protest leaders and promised to reconsider pending claims and expedite verification procedures.
However, organisers now allege that progress on the ground has remained slow, prompting renewed demonstrations. Activists have also expressed concern over proposed administrative changes, including the reported reduction of PESA mobiliser posts in tribal regions. They argue that weakening grassroots institutions could further limit tribal communities’ access to governance and welfare mechanisms.
Experts note that land disputes in tribal areas are often linked to larger structural issues such as historical displacement, unclear land records and delays in implementing protective legislation. For many families, the absence of formal land ownership creates long-term insecurity, affecting education, healthcare access, financial stability and intergenerational livelihood opportunities.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The large mobilisation in Palghar reflects not only a demand for land ownership but also a deeper struggle for dignity, recognition and equitable development. For tribal and rural communities, land is closely tied to identity, livelihood and cultural belonging. When claims remain pending for years despite legal protections, it can deepen economic vulnerability and erode trust in institutions meant to safeguard citizens’ rights.
At the same time, the peaceful nature of the protests demonstrates the continued faith many marginalised communities place in democratic processes and collective dialogue. It is important for governments and administrative bodies to respond with empathy, transparency and accountability rather than allowing grievances to accumulate over time.
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