Former chief minister and State Samajwadi Party President S Bangarappa has strongly opposed the eviction of tribal people from forests without taking steps to properly rehabilitate them.

Speaking at a Kala Mela organised by Karnataka Pradesh Lambani Seva Sangha in Bangalore on Sunday, Bangarappa said tribals, who have been living in forests for hundreds of years, should not be evicted on the pretext of enforcing any law. “Even if their eviction is necessary, they should be provided with all basic necessities so that they can lead a comfortable life”, he observed.

Governor Rameshwar Thakur, who inaugurated the Mela, called upon the Lambani community people to preserve their culture and tradition.

Nidumamidi Seer Veerabhadra Channamalla Swamiji said that the nomadic communities are not getting their due representation in any field.

“Even 60 years after independence, fruits of Democracy have not reached the deprived classes”,  he opined.