Ulka Mahajan

Work area : Raigad district, Maharashtra

In 1989, Ulka Mahajan and her friend Sumitra moved to the Raigad district with the ambition of organizing the Katkari community, whose traditional occupation was making ‘kaat’ which is used in ‘paan’ made from betel leaf from Khair trees. Their main occupation disappeared because of depleting forests, and growing farms and orchards.

The sangathan’s initial years were spent striving to raise the consciousness of the tribals to not only be able to understand the importance of their existence but to also create a sense of class identity – an understanding of being the ‘exploited class’ – the sarvahara. Linked to this was a realization that they too deserve and can achieve a humane existence. SJA’s breakthrough in winning people’s trust came not through what it thought was a straightforward struggle for fair wages from landlords, but through the demand for rights to ‘Dali’ land.

In the wake of industrial and commercial expansion along the Mumbai suburban region, the adivasis and other rural communities have been staring at survival, leading a vulnerable life along the pristine ecology of Western Ghats. Through mass mobilisation campaigns, SJA has secured huge wins favouring the communities – in the wake of illegal acquisition of land for SEZs, non-compliance with environmental rules, and non-recognition of the rights of communities.

In the last three decades, Ulka and the dedicated team of volunteers have worked tirelessly to address issues of exploitation, land rights, better wages, recognition of forest rights, ration, labour rights, upcoming development projects and associated displacement, education, child marriage and others. She is an excellent orator and sings the most fabulous songs – of struggle, love, power and justice.

Ulka is also a leading member of the Right to Food Campaign, advocating universalisation of PDS, Right to Work, land reform and social security. She mentors the SSC trainings in the state and collaborates with several like-minded organizations to create a sustainable program for youth leadership building.