Watch: Long marches | Has anything changed for tribals from 2018 to 2026?

Sun Jan 25 12:39:14 UTC 2026: # Tribal Farmers’ Resistance Persists in Maharashtra Eight Years After Historic Long March

The Story:

An episode of “Pulse Maharashtra” on January 25, 2026, highlights the ongoing struggle of tribal farmers in Maharashtra who continue to protest for the same rights they demanded nearly a decade ago. Despite the widely publicized long march of 2018, the core issues affecting these indigenous “Bhumiputras” remain unresolved. The report focuses on growing resistance against development projects like the Vadhvan Port, which locals fear will result in mass displacement and minimal benefit to the tribal communities.

Key Points:

• The report is featured on “Pulse Maharashtra,” hosted by Vinaya Deshpande Pandit.
• The focus is on the unresolved issues of tribal farmers in Maharashtra.
• Farmers are protesting for the same rights they demanded nearly a decade ago, referring to the historic long march of 2018.
• A central issue is the resistance against projects like the Vadhvan Port.
• Locals fear displacement and lack of benefit from such projects.
• The Bhumiputras are the indigenous people affected.

Critical Analysis:

The fact that tribal farmers are still marching for the same rights eight years after the highly publicized 2018 long march indicates a systemic failure in addressing their grievances. This persistence suggests that either the government’s response to the 2018 protests was inadequate, or that new development projects are exacerbating existing inequalities and land rights issues.

Key Takeaways:

• The struggles of tribal farmers in Maharashtra remain a pressing issue.
• Development projects can have a disproportionately negative impact on indigenous communities.
• Publicized protests do not always lead to meaningful change.
• Grievances about the Vadhvan Port echo similar cases across India.
• The term Bhumiputra underscores the roots in regional identity.

Impact Analysis:

The ongoing resistance has the potential to destabilize regional development plans. If the government continues to ignore the concerns of tribal farmers, it risks further alienating these communities, potentially leading to escalated conflict. The persistence of these issues also undermines the government’s credibility regarding inclusive development and social justice. This could negatively affect future investment and development in tribal regions.

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