The AP. Dalit Bahujan Vayavasaya Vruthidarula Union which has a membership of 2 lakhs is launching ‘Dalit Bhoosadana’, which is land appropriation movement. These lands have either been assigned or being set aside for issuing pattas (title deeds) to the Dalits and other poor but are not being allowed actual occupation due to extreme threat from the dominant caste land lords and land grabbers in that area.

In the last two years we have investigated this whole issue of Dalit land rights and have brought out details of acres 1,02,086.46 in 14 districts and 120 mandals, for taking up struggle to ensure the land rights of Dalits (see table below). The government despite many petitions and complaints have not acted on this properly. In the month of August from 5th to 25th in all these districts detailed petitions have been submitted to the appropriate authorities at the mandal and the district levels through Dharnas and rallies.

As there has been not sufficient response this land appropriation programme is being taken up state wide in 45 mandals in all the Telanga, Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra villages covering 4,543 acres.

We request you to support this land appropriation programme in the following mandals which is being attached below. Today being the World Food Day, we would appeal to all organisations of the poor and the marginalised to extend solidarity to the land rights movement of the Dalits in AP.

N.P.Divakar

General Secretary

Andhra Pradesh Dalitbahujan Vyvasaya Vruthidarula Union