Will We Always Remain Under Others?

Will We Always Remain Under Others?

First, the British came and forcibly brought our ancestors to these islands. Then came the Japanese military rule. And now — bureaucrats sitting in Delhi and settlers brought from outside have taken control over our life, politics, and resources here.

We, the PRE42 community, whose ancestors laid the foundation of these islands, have become strangers in our own home.

“Were we left here only to remain slaves and silent?”

Who are PRE42?

PRE42 people are those who:

Settled in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands before 1942,

Whose ancestors were brought here under British rule as prisoners, soldiers, workers, farmers, teachers, or staff,

Whose descendants nurtured, built, and protected these islands with great effort.


They are the same people who:

Gave their lives during the Japanese attacks,

Endured suffering under British rule for generations,




What is the situation today?

Loss of identity:

PRE42 people are not recognized properly in government documents, media, or education. Our identity is being deliberately blurred.

Land taken away:

After independence, the government took our lands for schools, airports, institutions, and housing projects. We received neither proper compensation nor respect.

Denied representation:

Be it the legislative assembly, parliament, panchayats, or municipal councils — outsiders occupy all positions.

Population imbalance:

Now, PRE42 people are only 5-10%, while 90% are settlers brought from outside. Because of this, no PRE42 candidate can win elections.

“Our votes may be few, but our conscience is strong.”


Neglect of culture and history

PRE42 festivals, food, traditions, and language are missing from school textbooks.

Museums, guidebooks, and official websites barely mention us.

The new generation doesn’t know the struggles of their own ancestors.

"Being erased from history is the first step toward being forgotten completely."


Is democracy a sham here?

If PRE42 people contest elections, they don’t get votes because:

1. Most voters are settlers and mainlanders,


2. Outsiders don’t want PRE42 in power,


3. They fear that if PRE42 wakes up, their control will end.



"Democracy is based on equality, but here numbers create inequality."


This is hidden slavery

Today, when we see PRE42 youth unemployed, elders neglected, and women unsafe — can this really be called freedom?

We stay silent in the name of peace, but inside our souls ask:

"Was this land ever truly ours, or just used by us?"


Are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands no longer ours?

We built, decorated, and cherished these islands — but now governance, policies, and properties are in others' hands.

If we don’t wake up now, future generations will only hear stories that once there was a PRE42 community.

"Now is the time not just to struggle, but to write a story of pride and leadership."

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