Presentation
Ekta Parishad is a mass-based peoples' movement for land rights with an active membership of 250,000 landless poor and is regarded as one of the biggest people’s movement in India with an iconic status globally.Since inception (1989) as a Gandhian organization - Ekta Parishad is constantly promoting nonviolence as a way for the struggle, dialogue, and constructive actions towards building a peaceful and just society.Founded by Rajagopal PV as well known Gandhian and other grassroots activists – today Ekta Parishad is actively working in 12000 villages across Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Puducherry, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.Ekta Parishad is known for several milestone successes including securing land rights to nearly 500,000 families, creating grassroots leadership of more than 10,000 people, protecting forest and water bodies, and framing several laws and policies related to the land reforms in India.
Participation in WSF 2026
Ekta Parishad intends to actively contribute to the World Social Forum 2026 through a range of participatory activities, including facilitating thematic workshops, engaging in assemblies of convergence, and contributing to collective dialogues. Grounded in Gandhian principles of nonviolence (ahimsa), truth (satya), and collective action (satyagraha), these engagements will place particular emphasis on peacebuilding, nonviolent conflict resolution, and the defense of land and resource rights. Drawing on its long-standing grassroots experience with marginalized communities, Ekta Parishad will share practical methodologies for dialogue, mediation, and people-led mobilisation to address conflicts over land, livelihoods, and ecological resources. It will also collaborate with like-minded movements and organisations to foster exchange, mutual learning, and solidarity across regions. Through these contributions, Ekta Parishad aims to strengthen collective capacities for peaceful conflict resolution while advancing justice, dignity, and sustainable, community-led development.
Proposed activities (7)
Swavalamban (Self-Reliance): Community Farming and Value-Added Agriculture for Climate Justice
Climate justice requires transforming food systems that protect both people and nature. In this session, we will share grassroots experiences…
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…
Paix 2026 (Peace 2026) Session 5: Education for Peace in Schools, Universities, and Communities
Lead Organizations: Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation (MGCF) & Peacebuilders Forum India This workshop on education for peace forms an integral…
Paix 2026 (Peace 2026) Session 4: Nonviolent Economy – Building an Inclusive Economy
Lead Organizations: Ekta Parishad & Home for Humanity & Jai Jagat PEACE 2026 workshop on nonviolent economy will focus on…
Paix 2026 (Peace 2026) Session 3: Women as a source of peace & nonviolence and builders of the path to social change
Lead organizations: RRAS & Home for Humanity & Ekta ParishadThis is a PAIX 2026 (Fabrique de Paix) workshop that focuses…
Paix 2026 (Peace 2026) Session 2: Youth and peace: Promoting youth leadership and nonviolent social action focused on marginalized communities
Lead organizations: RRAS & Ekta ParishadPAIX 2026 (Fabrique de Paix) offers this workshop which aims to bring together African youth and…
Paix 2026 (Peace 2026) Session 1: Peacebuilding and nonviolence by strengthening local, cultural and traditional values
Lead organizations: RRAS & Home for Humanity & Ekta Parishad One of the overall themes of PAIX 2026 (Fabrique de Paix)…