Satyagraha: The Power of Nonviolent People’s Movements for Land, Justice and Peace

Across the Global South, struggles for land are deeply connected to struggles for peace, justice, and dignity. This session explores how Ekta Parishad's decades of nonviolent mass movements have transformed conflicts over land into democratic processes that secure rights and livelihoods. Participants will examine landmark campaigns such as the 2007 Janadesh March, which contributed to the implementation of India's Forest Rights Act, enabling millions of forest-dependent families to claim land rights. The session will also highlight successful grassroots mobilisations that have influenced laws relating to land, forests, and mineral governance, particularly for Indigenous and tribal communities. Through practical experiences, the discussion will explore community leadership, self-organised campaigns, broad-based alliances, and nonviolent direct action as strategies for building lasting peace and advancing social and environmental justice. The session aims to inspire movements seeking people-centred approaches to peacebuilding rooted in land rights and collective action.