Oustees firm on resolve to intensify satyagraha for justice!
Rehabilitation, Not Destruction must be the way forward!
(Samajweekly) 17th June, 2024: June 16th was the second day of Narmada Bachao Andolan’s Satyagraha in Kheda Muhalla, Chikhalda, Madhya Pradesh. The day started as it always does, with prayers for Narmada, as well as the humanitarian values and protection of natural resources with their rights.
Saraswati bahen from Semalda, Bhagwan Septa from Narmada Nagar, Gauri Badole and Sita Avasya from Pichodi started their 24-hour relay fast joining Medha didi who is on an indefinite fast.
The Tehsildar of Kukshi brought a message from the Collector, who also called and invited a few representatives of Dhar, the District Headquarters. All those on the sit-in, on consultation, refused to accept the same. Mukesh Bhagoriya and Medha didi humbly conveyed to the Collector, that it would not be possible or acceptable as all the issues are already discussed with him but not execution has taken place, therefore they expressed their expectation that the issues and demands are related to not one, but four districts and hence, the Commissioner (NVDA) should hold the decisive dialogue along with the Collectors.
The elected representative MLA from Badwani, Rajan Mandloi, came to the Satyagraha to extend his support. He narrated how he has witnessed the struggle of the people in the valley, which he said, is the only way that has helped receive rehabilitation for thousands of people and it is absolute injustice that thousands have faced submergence before and in 2023 without rehabilitation. He said that the questions he raised in the previous session were given an unacceptable reply by the Government and will take up this issue in the upcoming assembly session.
The representatives of Adivasi Yuva Sanghatan came and declared support. They even remembered the martyrdom of Birsa Munda, Tantia Bhil and other adivasi freedom fighters who laid down their life to save jal, jungle, zameen (water, forest, land). Representatives from the environmental group Bhartiya Puthvirakshan Chalaval arrived from a distant place in Maharashtra and showed their support.
The day was filled with people’s stories of struggle, an assertion of rights, and song makes up a big part of the movement. Two students from Dhadgaon, Maharashtra, sang the iconic “hum honge kaamyab” (we shall overcome), in support for the movement. The workers left unemployed overnight from Century Mills, which is owned by the Birla Group’s Century Textiles & Industries Limited, also participated in solidarity with the families affected by the SS Dam project. Hundreds of people participated who belonged to various communities and categories of project affected families, such as farmers, cattle grazers, fish workers, adivasis, and labourers, who are yet to get rehabilitation benefits…
The day ended with women of the movement, sharing songs of struggle and hope for justice.
