Arindam Chaudhuri: We need Hazare's leadership
From the valley of struggle
Dhadgaon region of Nandoorbar district in Maharshtra has little to distinguish it from others of its kind. Those who flock to the area come mainly from the neighboring villages to get everyday necessities.
But on October 22, it was different. The people who had gathered in this nondescript area did not come to shop; they were there to reaffirm their commitment to a way of life and the struggle to safeguard it.
On the said da which has recast the paradigm of development the world over, completed 25 years.
At Dhadgaon a huge gathering, including social organisations from 20 states, re-committed itself to fight its battle with greater determination while raising questions on the models of development prevalent in India.
The NBA sprung up in November 1985 when in violation of all rules and regulations, the Sardar Sarovar Project over the Narmada river began displacing lakhs of people. From opposition to one big dam, the movement soon became a synonym for resistance to all such dam projects where people were uprooted without compensation and appropriate rehabilitation.
First proposed in 1946, the Sardar Sarovar Project later became a part of the Narmada Valley Development Plan under which 30 big, 135 medium and 3,000 small dams were proposed to be built over the Narmada and its tributaries. Sardar Sarovar, with a proposed height of 445 feet, is the biggest of these dams. The project, which will finally irrigate 18,000 sq kilometers of land, has displaced people from larges swathes in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
In the first phase, besides electricity production, the dam was to irrigate the drought prone areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The height of the proposed project was 500 feet. In 1979, the Narmada tribunal, disposing off a host of complaints lodged before it, decided the allocation of water between the four affected states and settled on a height of 455 feet for the dam.
The tribunal also issued strict guidelines for the rehabilitation of the dam oustees. These included, besides a home with all amenities or land in lieu of a home, arable land. However, when the governments concerned began to ignore the tribunal’s recommendations and went ahead with the displacements, the NBA was born.
In the 25 years of its life, there have been many instances when it looked like the movement would fall apart. But every single time those fighting for it came back with renewed vigour and stuck together.
The NBA’s own findings suggest that the harm done by the dam far exceeds the hugely magnified benefits that will follow from it. Plus, governments have brazenly flouted all legal orders which protect the basic and human rights of the oustees to benefit big industrialists while destroying natural resources with impunity.
The movement has also focused on coming up with creative solutions like small lighthouses, the teaching of life skills to children and the promotion of development activities that do no harm to the environment.
In Dhadgaon and in Badwani the next day, it became clear that the oustees had not got their dues and that their connection with the NBA was deep. More than 5,000 people were present at the rally in Dhadgaon.
Children came out with their traditional musical instruments and became an integral part of the rally. As they sang and danced, their fists went up at slogans like “Ladenge, jeetenge” (We shall fight, we shall win).
To cross Dhadgaon and reach Badwani in Madhya Pradesh, the rallyists had to cross as many as ten villages. Even as night fell, the villagers stood by the sides of the paths to welcome those who were part of the rally.
As we speak to people in the affected villages, their sense of betrayal becomes evident. In the holy region of Koteshwar, famous locally for its ancient Shiva temple, the priest Mahadev Puri says, “There is very little compensation for the temple. I understand the pain of those who lost their homes. I pray that the height of the dam is not increased any further or else the loss will be mammoth.”
At Kotdo village, 70-year-old Jayaram says, “Our children are part of the movement. We did not get appropriate compensation.” This reality becomes more evident in villages like Khapadkheda where many claim not to be part of the survey of the affected.
Durji Patedar, resident of Nisarpur village in Madhya Pradesh, says, “So many houses were said to be outside the area which was to drown. Only half of some people’s fields were marked for compensation. The payment we received for our land is blatantly unfair. How can anyone be treated this way?”
NBA leader Medha Patkar says, “There is no truth in the claims of development made for the Sardar Sarovar Project. People have been cheated in the name of rehabilitation and compensation. This is a fight to protect the rights of the marginalised, the tribals and the fishermen. The principles of development being promoted today have only brought ruin."
The anti-dam activist adds: "There have been many instances in the last 25 years when courts have ruled in favour of the NBA, establishing that the questions we are raising are valid. Even today the height of the dam has been stayed at 121.92 metres. It is not only a question of the Sardar Sarovar Dam but of the hundreds of other dams that are to come up around the country."
Patkar further says, "Till a meaningful definition of development is adopted and the valid demand of the oustees upheld, our struggle will continue. This movement is in line with all those other movements of the world that talk of people- oriented development and people’s rights.”
And so the fight continues.
Dr BD Sharma
Veteran social activist
“Those affected by the Sardar Sarovar Project have been cheated by the government from the first year itself. The NBA should move forward with greater determination and expand the scope of its struggle. “
Madhu Bhaduri
Former politician
“New thinking on development is the greatest gist of the NBA. The movement has taught us about inclusive development.”
sunil
National vice-president,
Samajwadi Jan Parishad.
“The NBA has raised important questions on the inequalities of modern
day development. The movement should have widened its scope and become a force to question today’s system, which has not happened as yet.
From the valley of struggle
Dhadgaon region of Nandoorbar district in Maharshtra has little to distinguish it from others of its kind. Those who flock to the area come mainly from the neighboring villages to get everyday necessities.
But on October 22, it was different. The people who had gathered in this nondescript area did not come to shop; they were there to reaffirm their commitment to a way of life and the struggle to safeguard it.On the said da which has recast the paradigm of development the world over, completed 25 years.
At Dhadgaon a huge gathering, including social organisations from 20 states, re-committed itself to fight its battle with greater determination while raising questions on the models of development prevalent in India.
The NBA sprung up in November 1985 when in violation of all rules and regulations, the Sardar Sarovar Project over the Narmada river began displacing lakhs of people. From opposition to one big dam, the movement soon became a synonym for resistance to all such dam projects where people were uprooted without compensation and appropriate rehabilitation.
First proposed in 1946, the Sardar Sarovar Project later became a part of the Narmada Valley Development Plan under which 30 big, 135 medium and 3,000 small dams were proposed to be built over the Narmada and its tributaries. Sardar Sarovar, with a proposed height of 445 feet, is the biggest of these dams. The project, which will finally irrigate 18,000 sq kilometers of land, has displaced people from larges swathes in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
In the first phase, besides electricity production, the dam was to irrigate the drought prone areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The height of the proposed project was 500 feet. In 1979, the Narmada tribunal, disposing off a host of complaints lodged before it, decided the allocation of water between the four affected states and settled on a height of 455 feet for the dam.
The tribunal also issued strict guidelines for the rehabilitation of the dam oustees. These included, besides a home with all amenities or land in lieu of a home, arable land. However, when the governments concerned began to ignore the tribunal’s recommendations and went ahead with the displacements, the NBA was born.
In the 25 years of its life, there have been many instances when it looked like the movement would fall apart. But every single time those fighting for it came back with renewed vigour and stuck together.
The NBA’s own findings suggest that the harm done by the dam far exceeds the hugely magnified benefits that will follow from it. Plus, governments have brazenly flouted all legal orders which protect the basic and human rights of the oustees to benefit big industrialists while destroying natural resources with impunity.
The movement has also focused on coming up with creative solutions like small lighthouses, the teaching of life skills to children and the promotion of development activities that do no harm to the environment.
In Dhadgaon and in Badwani the next day, it became clear that the oustees had not got their dues and that their connection with the NBA was deep. More than 5,000 people were present at the rally in Dhadgaon.
Children came out with their traditional musical instruments and became an integral part of the rally. As they sang and danced, their fists went up at slogans like “Ladenge, jeetenge” (We shall fight, we shall win).
To cross Dhadgaon and reach Badwani in Madhya Pradesh, the rallyists had to cross as many as ten villages. Even as night fell, the villagers stood by the sides of the paths to welcome those who were part of the rally.
As we speak to people in the affected villages, their sense of betrayal becomes evident. In the holy region of Koteshwar, famous locally for its ancient Shiva temple, the priest Mahadev Puri says, “There is very little compensation for the temple. I understand the pain of those who lost their homes. I pray that the height of the dam is not increased any further or else the loss will be mammoth.”
At Kotdo village, 70-year-old Jayaram says, “Our children are part of the movement. We did not get appropriate compensation.” This reality becomes more evident in villages like Khapadkheda where many claim not to be part of the survey of the affected.
Durji Patedar, resident of Nisarpur village in Madhya Pradesh, says, “So many houses were said to be outside the area which was to drown. Only half of some people’s fields were marked for compensation. The payment we received for our land is blatantly unfair. How can anyone be treated this way?”
NBA leader Medha Patkar says, “There is no truth in the claims of development made for the Sardar Sarovar Project. People have been cheated in the name of rehabilitation and compensation. This is a fight to protect the rights of the marginalised, the tribals and the fishermen. The principles of development being promoted today have only brought ruin."
The anti-dam activist adds: "There have been many instances in the last 25 years when courts have ruled in favour of the NBA, establishing that the questions we are raising are valid. Even today the height of the dam has been stayed at 121.92 metres. It is not only a question of the Sardar Sarovar Dam but of the hundreds of other dams that are to come up around the country."
Patkar further says, "Till a meaningful definition of development is adopted and the valid demand of the oustees upheld, our struggle will continue. This movement is in line with all those other movements of the world that talk of people- oriented development and people’s rights.”
And so the fight continues.
Dr BD Sharma Veteran social activist
“Those affected by the Sardar Sarovar Project have been cheated by the government from the first year itself. The NBA should move forward with greater determination and expand the scope of its struggle. “
Madhu Bhaduri
Former politician
“New thinking on development is the greatest gist of the NBA. The movement has taught us about inclusive development.”
sunilNational vice-president,
Samajwadi Jan Parishad.
“The NBA has raised important questions on the inequalities of modern
day development. The movement should have widened its scope and become a force to question today’s system, which has not happened as yet.
Swami agniveshChairperson, Bonded Labour Liberation Front
"The NBA has shown the correct path to development. The government should talk to Medha and her associates. If the government does not change its path this movement will intensify."
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