It wouldnt be an exaggeration to say that the word 'Narmada' has become synonymous with Medha P.
The silent protests against the government to stop construction of the Sardar Sarovar dam is well known to all.Centrally located on the busy Mission road is the 'Christian Society of India' building.Since Friday the prayer hall was the auditorium for the screenings of several movies shot in Gujarat,MP,Maharashtra.The crux of the movies was 'Rehabilitation by June 2006'.People living in the areas which would be submerged when the monsoon begins were interviewed.There was a man who said 'The slogan of India is Jai Javan Jai Kisan,if there is no land or home for the Kisan how will the country progess?.The govt can opt for construction of smaller dams,but then the politicians will not have the support of the Ambanis and the Birlas who have their industries in the area which would profit by the construction of big dams.My land is my mother,How can I leave her and go elsewhere?If I am submerged,let me be,but I wont leave this place."
I became aware of the fact that the farmers of MP are the worst affected,but MP has filed an affidavit in the Supreme court saying that it has no land to offer to the people affected.There are thousands who would be without home,without their land,and many without their lives.And all this is going to happen with the onset of the Monsoon.It hs left me thinking about many things.
-Why is the govt being light about the issue?
-Why did they approve the dam height to be raised without providing rehabilitation for the people.?
-The people who are impacted with the current height of the Sardar Sarovar at 110m are not yet rehabilated.When would this happen?
-The future of these people looks bleak..Its a mass genocide..-Why are the protests only by a small section of the people?
-Would forums like these be able to create the desired impact.
-The rehabilitation areas alloted by the govt have no amenities including the basic of all needs 'Water'.
-The central govt is headed by the Congress and these state govts is headed by the BJP.So the conflict has taken political colours now.Maybe it always had.
-The team that has been sent to the areas affected to submit the report to the Supreme court by May 1st has no independent member.
-The goals of the group,seems to be messed up.I felt the most important concern to be addressed which was the rehabilitation was getting lost amidst other things.
I am quite naive about the Narmada issue,need to read more to educate myself.Do not have the actual statistics to write here.
Some blog links
Side-by-Side-Simply
The-Number-Again
See-the-School
Jantar-Mantar
However,the very reason that the people in Bangalore are waking up to matters of National concern made me happy.And I hope that the purpose is met.
The group is organising a rally from 'Chik Lalbagh' to 'Bannappa Park' on the 29th April,from 3pm.Those who are interested can contact 080-22356845 or email to alforum@vsnl.net
3 comments:
"The central govt is headed by the Congress and these state govts is headed by the BJP."..Since the Central govt has given the go ahead none of the state congress chiefs dare to protest against the construction. Infact in Gujarat the congress joined hands with Modi's rowdies in defaming Aamir Khan.
Incidentally, there was one more smaller protest march last week by the victims of Bhopal Gas Tragedy.22 years have gone by and yet compensation and many other issues have not been addressed.
India Shining indeed !!!
>>Why is the govt being light about the issue?
Well, it really does not concern the government much whether rehabilitation occurs or not. For that matter, no government in India is concerned about welfare in the true state.
>>Why did they approve the dam height to be raised without providing rehabilitation for the people.?
The govt. cannot and hence did not approve the height to be raised.
The Supreme Court passed the verdict that the height of the dam can be increased and AT THE SAME TIME the people should be re-located with relevant facilities being provided.
The Supreme Court prohibits the act of ONLY raising the height. It was clearly mentioned that the re-habilitation should occur simultaneously.
Now lets look at the broader picture. The raising of the height of the dam is going to increase the water flow for Gujarat and MP. This increased water is going to primarily serve the industrial areas and the cities and towns of these states. Now, city dwellers and industrialists wouldn't really care a damn about a few hundred/thousand people who will get displaced. Pick any guy in one of the towns of Gujarat and he doesn't even care what happens to the tribals. He knows that in a dry state like his, it would be beneficial for his city to get water.
Effectively, you have a minority populace (the victims) who are up against a majority who are either indifferent or want the water desperately. Therefore, you do not see a concerted movement against the government and in fact the government is being supported by most of the city planners.
Its a difficult task for the NBA (Narmada Bachao Aandolan) and they have done reasonably well in getting attention of the country to this problem. Yet, I am sceptical whether any of these events will have a bearing on the future of the dam and of the tribals. Its painful to see.
The rally was a failure acc to me,it did not make any impact.
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