Satya Prakash Nayak
Bhubaneswar: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s rally in Bhubaneswar has stirred more questions than answers after he refrained from naming Vedanta while lashing out at corporate exploitation of Odisha’s mineral resources.
Addressing a massive gathering, Gandhi accused industrialist Gautam Adani, alleging collusion with the BJP-led Odisha government to plunder the state’s minerals, displacing tribals, Dalits, and poor communities. “A few corporate houses, in connivance with the BJP, are snatching away your land and livelihoods,” he declared — but notably, he only mentioned Adani by name.
His silence on Vedanta, despite the company’s significant mining operations and a history of allegations — including environmental violations and illegal land acquisitions in Odisha — has raised eyebrows within political and activist circles.
Activists point out that Gandhi once led a high-profile campaign against Vedanta’s proposed bauxite mining in Niyamgiri (Kalahandi) in 2007–2009, supporting Dongria Kondh tribals fighting to protect their sacred hills. Ironically, a similar battle is now underway in Rayagada district, where tribal communities are protesting against the proposed Sijimali bauxite mining project involving Vedanta and Maitri companies. Locals allege the Gram Sabha process is being manipulated and want more transparency — yet Rahul made no mention of their plight in his speech.
Fueling speculation further is the revelation that Vedanta emerged as the single largest donor to the Congress through electoral bonds, contributing around ₹125 crore between 2021 and 2024. Critics now question whether these hefty donations have muted the Congress’s criticism of the mining giant’s alleged wrongdoings in Odisha.
Adding to the intrigue, Rahul Gandhi, who was fiercely vocal during the Hindenburg revelations against Adani, has so far stayed silent on a recent scathing report by US short-seller Viceroy Research Group. The report alleges serious financial irregularities within the Vedanta Group.
While the Congress has often projected itself as a champion of the underprivileged, Rahul’s selective targeting of corporates has left many wondering if electoral bond disclosures are exposing uncomfortable truths about political compromises.
Meanwhile, tribal communities in Rayagada say their fight will continue. “We want a fair Gram Sabha, not a forced one. We want our voices heard,” said a local activist from the Sijimali hills. Whether national leaders like Rahul Gandhi will echo these voices again remains to be seen.
