Jalsatyagrah ends after Govt of India, NCA officials 'promise' not to raise Narmada dam water level

By Devisingh Tomar, others*

The recent Narmada Jalsatyagrah, a protest lasting more than 36 hours, was concluded with a commitment from participants to continue their fight against injustice unless the given assurances are honored. This intense demonstration involved numerous representatives from the Sardar Sarovar-affected communities, including prominent figures such as Medha Patkar, Kamla Yadav, Kesar Somare, Bhagwan Septa, Sushila Nath, and Kailash Yadav.

The protest was lifted following commitments made by the Executive Member of the Narmada Control Authority (NCA) and the Principal Secretary of Jalshakti Mantralaya, Government of India, during a meeting at 9 PM, attended by hundreds of villagers from the Narmada Valley, local MLA Rajendra Mandloi, and Badwani Tehsildar.

Authorities agreed to engage in dialogue regarding pressing issues such as resettlement and rehabilitation before any planned submergence, particularly in light of the destruction experienced in 2023, which included the loss of homes, farmland, possessions, and the lives of 1200 cattle and six individuals.

The Narmada valley residents remain vigilant about the potential for illegal and unjust submergence impacting thousands of families across Madhya Pradesh, hundreds in Maharashtra, and many more downstream of the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat. This concern stems from the disastrous events of the 2023 monsoon, which were viewed not merely as a natural disaster but as a failure of state authorities to effectively manage reservoir operations from Bergi to Sardar Sarovar.

As September 17 birthday of PM Modi approached, people feared it might mark another anniversary of devastation

The situation was exacerbated by unscientific and unauthorized changes to the backwater levels of the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP), which incorrectly categorized 15,946 families as unaffected. The protesters called for immediate action to keep the gates of the Sardar Sarovar open and allow for a higher outflow of up to 5.5 lakh cusecs to protect river habitats and safeguard the livelihoods of Adivasi, Dalit, and other nature-based communities.

As the September 17 birthday of Prime Minister Modi approached, the community feared it might mark another anniversary of loss and devastation for local farmers, laborers, fishworkers, cattle grazers, artisans, boatsmen, traders, and others in the Narmada Valley who have yet to receive complete and equitable rehabilitation. The protesters, having engaged in a 39-year struggle and reconstruction effort that has seen the rehabilitation of approximately 50,000 families, vowed to continue their mass mobilization and legal actions if necessary.

Their commitment to uphold constitutional and human rights, as well as to advocate for sustainable, just development, is steadfast, particularly in the face of climate change and its severe impacts. The Narmada Bachao Andolan expressed gratitude to supporters across India and expects their ongoing backing until the very last affected individual receives just rehabilitation from the Sardar Sarovar project.

---

*Gourishankar Kumawat, Latika Rajput, Shyama Machuaara, Dhanraj Bhilala, Narmada Bachao Andolan

Comments

Andhra team joins Gandhians to protest against 'bulldozer action' in Varanasi

By Rosamma Thomas* November 1 marked the 52nd day of the 100-day relay fast at the satyagraha site of Rajghat in Varanasi, seeking the restoration of the 12 acres of land to the Sarva Seva Sangh, the Gandhian organization that was evicted from the banks of the river. Twelve buildings were demolished as the site was abruptly taken over by the government after “bulldozer” action in August 2023, even as the matter was pending in court.

Right-arm fast bowler who helped West Indies shape arguably greatest Test team in cricket history

By Harsh Thakor* Malcolm Marshall redefined what it meant to be a right-arm fast bowler, challenging the traditional laws of biomechanics with his unique skill. As we remember his 25th death anniversary on November 4th, we reflect on the legacy he left behind after his untimely death from colon cancer. For a significant part of his career, Marshall was considered one of the fastest and most formidable bowlers in the world, helping to shape the West Indies into arguably the greatest Test team in cricket history.

Tributes paid to pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, who 'dodged' police for 60 yrs

By Harsh Thakor* Jagjit Singh Sohal, known as Comrade Sharma, a pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, passed away on October 20 at the age of 96. Committed to the Naxalite cause and a prominent Maoist leader, Sohal, who succeeded Charu Majumdar, played hide and seek with the police for almost six decades. He was cremated in Patiala.

Campaign group urges INDIA alliance to release Jharkhand manifesto to counter BJP’s 'divisive' agenda

By Our Representative The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan, an advocacy group, has issued a press release urging the INDIA alliance to release a Jharkhand-specific manifesto to counter the BJP’s "divisive" electoral agenda. With just two weeks remaining before the assembly elections, the INDIA coalition has yet to announce its plans and priorities for the state. Meanwhile, the BJP's campaign, according to the press release, is centered around communalism, divisiveness, and distraction from Jharkhand's core issues.

Israel's 'war crime': 18,000 children died not just from bomb explosions but also starvation

By Sandeep Pandey* Last year 6 years old Madiha was a guest during Diwali at our home in Lucknow. Listening to the sound of fire crackers bursting outside she remarked, ‘It appears as if we’re in Gaza.’ She has probably no idea of the extent of damage and loss of life that has taken place in Palestine but can relate to sound of crackers as bombs exploding over Gaza.

United organisations oppose privatisation of health services in Madhya Pradesh

By Our Representative In a strong show of opposition, multiple health associations under the umbrella of the United Organisations for Action against Privatisation of Health Services have condemned the Government of Madhya Pradesh’s recent moves towards privatising public health facilities. They argue that these actions, including outsourcing and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, will compromise the availability and accessibility of essential health services for the state’s citizens.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

Will Left victory in Sri Lanka deliver economic sovereignty plan, go beyond 'tired' IMF agenda?

By Atul Chandra, Vijay Prashad* On September 22, 2024, the Sri Lankan election authority announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won the presidential election. Dissanayake, who has been the leader of the left-wing JVP since 2014, defeated 37 other candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) and his closest challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.

Search This Blog