VEDENTA: TIN FOILED

There were protests outside the AGM of FTSE 100 listed mining company Vedanta last Wednesday. Survival International joined forces with the newly formed Foil Vedanta to demonstrate their anger at the swathe of destruction wrought in India by the company. Although they’ve been responsible for pollution and health and safety disasters across the sub-continent, the focus of protests was the land-grab in the Niyamgiri Hills in the Eastern Indian state of Orissa.

The Niyamgiri Hills are a rich source of bauxite, (aluminium ore), but they’re also sacred to the Dongria Kondh people, 8000 of whom live scattered across the landscape. They recently won a judicial victory over Vedanta’s attempts to strip-mine their sacred mountain, however the Indian Supreme Court, wheels no doubt nicely greased, is due to reconsider the decision. Not all the struggle has been in the courtroom though – there has been sporadic fighting and attacks on Vedanta vehicles.

One Dongria said “Mining only makes profit for the rich. We will become beggars if the company destroys our mountain and our forest so that they can make money. We don’t want the mine or any help at all from the company.”

Vedanta was founded by and is 63% owned by Anil Agarwil, the 17th richest man in the U.K. He had the pleasure of an impromptu demo outside his house on the day of the AGM with people screaming “Anil Agarwil – blood on your hands”. According to one black-clad eyewitness - “Virtually every question asked in the AGM concerned human rights – but no-one was thrown out, it’s clear they’re trying to cover up with a charm offensive”.

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