Thane: More than one lakh members of the Shramjivi Sanghatana, along with youth from its student wing, are expected to march to Mantralaya on October 27, demanding action on pending tribal welfare issues and protection of their constitutional rights.

Announcing the ‘Constitutional Rights Struggle Morcha’ at a press conference, Sanghatana president Sita Ghatala, working president Balaram Bhoir and Thane district president Ashok Sapate said the march would highlight the challenges faced by tribal and disadvantaged communities.

The march will begin at 11 am from Chavtha Hirva Maidan, near Khushi Axis World building on the Dombivli Link Road at Mankoli Lodha Dham, near Bhiwandi along the Nashik-Thane Highway. Participants will proceed on foot through Thane towards Mantralaya.

Preparations are under way across talukas in Thane, Palghar, Nashik, Pune and Raigad districts, where office-bearers and activists are conducting village-level awareness campaigns. The mobilisation is being undertaken under the guidance of founder Vivek Pandit, founder-member Vidyullata Pandit and Ghatala.

The organisation plans to press for the settlement of pending forest land claims and issuance of titles to eligible tribal families by December 15, 2026. Its demands also include recognising local documents for essential certificates, expanding village settlements, ensuring year-round tap water and providing free, compulsory, quality education to children aged three to 18.

Other demands include filling vacant teaching posts, free treatment in government medical colleges, better wages and permanent employment for workers, wider access to the Ladki Bahin scheme for eligible tribal women, transfer of land rights under tenancy laws, and timely employment-guarantee wages. The organisation has also sought stronger job security and an insurance limit of Rs 35,000 for contractual workers.

“This is a struggle for our rights and our children’s future, and ultimately for the survival of tribal communities,” Ghatala said.

General secretary Vijay Jadhav appealed to tribal residents to participate in the march.