NBA Sathyagraha/Action 2007
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NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN (Save the Narmada Movement)
62 Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Badwani, M.P.-451551,Ph. 07290-222464 badwani
narmada.org
Maitri Niwas, Tembewadi,Dhadgaon,Nandurbar,Maharashtra. Ph:02595-220620
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Press Release - 2nd February, 2007
Narmada Adivasis and Farmers continue on the path of Satyagraha, not as Celebration but as Agitation for Survival towards Action 2007.
"Narmada Ghati ka Narmada ke Paani per Hak Nahi!
Yeh kaisa Praja Satthak?
Yeh to he Majaak!"
(The Narmada Valley has no rights over the Narmada waters!
What kind of Republic is this?
This is comical!)
The people from villages, tehsils and districts in the Narmada valley falling in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra celebrated the Republic Day (2007) as the 'day of assertion of people's power' and sovereignty, in the context of the situation and struggle in the Narmada Valley. They also linked their battle and their issues with the struggle and the charter in the making as a National People's Movement through 'Action 2007'.
On the 26th of January, it was in the interior villages of Bhadal and Kharya Bhadal (of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh respectively) that a unique flag hoisting was celebrated by the adivasi men, women and children in the two Jeevanshalas (Life schools), the residential schools run by the local people with Narmada Nav Nirman Abhiyan. Representative farmers from Nimad, the plains, too attended. Teachers and parents including the Village Education Committee, Manglyabhai and Gokhrubhai remembered the freedom fighters such as Khajya Naik, Tantya Bhil and expressed commitment to this renewed struggle for freedom in the present context. Shantabai from Nimad saluted the adivasis who have proved to be the soldiers protecting their land with blood and sweat. She too would fight till the last breathe to save her mother river, culture and right to be free of the corrupt politicians-bureaucrats. Adivasi struggle songs by the children changed the atmosphere in the lap of the river and at the foot of the hills, which made them take a pledge to fight the untruthful and propagandist governments. They will join Action 2007 since they know it has to be a wider battle to save not just Narmada but the whole country, the so-called sovereign nation state.
Mr. William, a photographer brought to them the solidarity message from the group of young activists in London.
Medha Patkar and other activists highlighted the landmarks of the twenty one years long struggle and fifteen years old Jeevanshalas, reiterating people's right to resources as the key national issue for the National People's Movement, in the context of unprecedented displacement for projects including SEZ.
On January 27th, 2007, it was the turn of the farmers and fisher folk in Nimad region, affected by Sardar Sarovar and Goi Dam. Speakers from the valley, Kailash Awasya, Luharia Shankaria, Ashish Mandloi, Devram Kanera and others spoke about the deceptive State and the corrupt system, exposing the false claims of rehabilitation as well as benefits. Supporters from Badwani district, Shri Ambaram Mukati, Omprakash Jain, Chandu Yadav and others, appreciating the long battle, warned the Government against snatching away Nimad's rights to the river and fish. Devanbhai from village Piplaj highlighted the corruption by a group of officials and their agents, demanding a CBI enquiry, beyond the success through legal action by the affected farmers with NBA's help. Representing the fish workers, Madhubhai from Chikhalda expressed pride and sorrow, both. While they continue to hold the river bed land auctioned to them since 50 to 100 years, continue to operate from and manage the ghats entrusted to them since the Akbar regime, they are now being evicted without just rehabilitation. The newly organized fisher people are on the path of forming co-operatives and ensuring that they retain the first right to the reservoir and fisheries.
Kesariyabhai, Bhatubhai and others from the nine villages in Anjad Tehsil, to be affected, have, with the help of Narmada Bachao Andolan, decided to challenge the dam and the system. The Goi dam has not received the environmental clearance and during the public hearing held, people unanimously opposed the project. Why was there a renewed haste to start the work at the dam site, people questioned. It has become quite clear that the project is finalized without options assessment and without any plan for rehabilitation.
The people, therefore, declared that they are opposed to the project unless a democratic decision making process is carried out.
The gathering ended with a pledge to fight the water diversion through large dams, water privatization, for right to land, water, forest, and fish. They also resolved to join 'Action 2007.'
It was the turn of adivasis in Nandurbar district of Maharashtra, on January 28th, the day when hundreds of them took out a rally and held 'Adivasi Sangharsh Sammelan' in the context of the republic day, specially celebrated in the context of Forest Rights Bill passed in the Parliament recently. The bill, which is not perfect, grants land rights to the forest land cultivators who have been cultivating prior to 2005 and residents of the forest land and hence, is to benefit thousands of adivasis in the 73 forest villages in Satpudas, which include 24 villages falling in the submergence zone of Sardar Sarovar.
The Sammelan had Shri Pannalal Surana, the socialist thinker and one of the active supporters of Adivasi struggles for land and forest rights, as the Chief Guest. Pannalalji referred to the historical injustice faced by the adivasis and expected that they would continue the 21 year long struggle by the SSP affected and forest villages into a new phase, with the land rights to be obtained.
Yogendra Dorkar congratulated the adivasis for leading a moral battle against the omnipotent State and appealed to the supporters from the middle class and the media to help them in every way. NBA felicitated Pannalalji, Dorkar, Nana and Anand Patil from Dhule for their support to the people's struggle.
Pinjaribai spoke with anguish about the bitter experience of rehabilitation, stressing that there are a few thousand families still awaiting land allotment and will not leave the valley without alternative land, which is their right. Keshav Vasave and Vesta Pavra described the ground level and legal fight for regularization of forest villages and agri-silvy plots over more than 2 decades, expressing hope that Maharashtra Government will now implement the orders of the HC in this regards.
Yogini Khanolkar, Chetan Salve and Vijay Valvi announced a 'Forest Rights Yatra' in the region to consolidate the legal achievement and ensure implementation without corruption.
Medha Patkar expressed the determination of the Andolan to harness the resources in the valley including the reservoir, fisheries and the forest land while striving to keep the Sardar Sarovar dam suspended at 122 meters. She exposed Modi's falsehood, exhibited through dedication of turbines even when the dam is incomplete. Neither the canals are ready even to use the waters available to Gujarat since 92 meters dam height nor is the power generated as claimed.
The Sammelan was followed with an agitation by a representative team of adivasis from the villages in Akkalkuva, occupying (sit in at) the tehsil office to get their issues of Panchnamas of the SSP affected land, rationing rights etc resolved. The adivasis in Maharashtra will also be on the streets of Delhi since March 18th in Action 2007, raising their issues of the rights of the displaced and demanding space in the development planning to make it more equitable and just.
Siyaram Padvi Geetanjali Chavan Umesh Patidar Kamala Yadav
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