As expected, an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (VKA), has managed to eclipse the left party-sponsored tribal farmers' agitation in March this year by bringing thousands of farmers to the city on Thursday, and getting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to agree to fulfil all demands of the Adivasi community. Last month, the tribals had staged a sit-in at the tehsildar office in their respective taluka headquarters. Founded in 1952, VKA has been low-profile in its pro-tribal and welfare activities in areas where it has created its own following.

Saffron vs Red
Thursday's protest march, dubbed Vanva (wild fire), also marked the birth anniversary of a tribal icon, Birsa Munda. But, as announced earlier, the march in which the participants carried saffron flags, did not reach Mantralaya, but culminated at Azad Maidan where the participants were addressed by VKA leaders. Later in the evening, Fadnavis met a VKA delegation and agreed to fulfil all their demands.