As per the directive of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Samalei Plan was announced for the development of the famous Samaleshwari temple and its adjacent areas in Sambalpur. The slum dwellers of Ghunghuti Para (in the neighbouring area of Samaleshwari temple) later learnt that the plan involves their eviction. There was no proper announcement for resettlement, rehabilitation and compensation for them alongside the Samalei Plan.
Ghunghuti Para has been home to generations of these slum-dwellers for the past 450 years or more; how far is it justified to evict them from a place that has historically been their homeland? Why are dalits being rendered homeless via bulldozer without any rehabilitation and resettlement measures in place?
The affected people had expressed their grievance with the Sambalpur District Magistrate but to no avail. So, they decided to knock the doors of Odisha High Court for justice. On dated 27th June 2022 the Honorable High Court of Odisha, in an interim order, had directed the government and other stakeholders not to take any harsh measures against the petitioners. But again in another interim order dated 12th July 2022 a 2-judge bench have revoked the stay order for demolition of Ghughuti Para slum and has directed the government to go ahead with the implementation of Samalei Plan.
On 12th July 2022 there are 18 Dalit, Adivasi, and Bahujan organizations of Sambalpur district, Odisha formed a collective banner called “Bahujan Milita Manch” to Save the Ghunghuti Para slum. Thousands of slum dwellers undertook a massive 8km Padayatra starting from Ambedkar Square till the Sambalpur Collectorate office, which was followed by a huge protest against the unconstitutional demolition of Ghunghuti Para slum under the garb of Samalei Plan by the State and the Central government.
Slum dwellers of Ghunghuti Para gheraoed the Sambalpur Collectorate to demand the withdrawal of Samalei Plan.
Youth leader Madhusudhan said "While the government ought to provide the 60,402 acres of land in 24 districts in Odisha which is taken in possession by the dominant castes in the name of Lord Jagannath, to the landless and the underprivileged; here at Ghunghuti Para, the residents who have made it their home since more than 450 years are being deprived of their livelihood, income, education, safety in the name of religion and spirituality. This is our struggle for hope and existence; exploiting religious sentiments to counterpoise it is thoroughly oppressive. Our struggle for life of dignity and for equal citizenship will intensify if the residents of Ghunghuti Para are not provided with land deeds, pucca house and other basic amenities for their health and well-being. We will resist this oppression and injustice from streets to the courts."
