JAL SATYAGRAHA
Jai ho !
The
Jal Satyagraha by the villagers of Ghogalgaon village in Khandwa district (MP)
is Unique in many senses.
1.
51 Villagers – who are actually affected by
the raising of water level in the Omkarehswar dam on the Narmada River – stood in
Neck-deep waters, which are submerging their livelihood – for 17 long Days, as a FIRST OF ITS KIND Non-violent Satyagraha.
2.
The 17 days of Satyagraha - wasn’t merely
lying down in Protest, on a well lit, well-protected stage. It was standing the
CRAB BITES, insect bites etc in the river waters – for 17 long days. The protesters
had also developed rashes with their
skin peeling off after staying submerged for so long.
3. The
Demand of the villagers was UNASSAILABLE. Implement our portion of the Supreme Court
Order, rehabilitate us and save us first. Who can quarrel with this Demand?
India – irrespective of which Government is in Power, is always failing in this
one extremely sensitive, humane issue. The Mind-set of Governments must change.
Rehabilitate the affected first. Do your development work next. This has to be the Mantra
for all progress, for all works.
4. The
Jal Satyagraha went on for 17 days – and would have perhaps gone on indefinitely
– if the MP Chief Minister had not realized the folly of keeping silence on
such an issue. So – it is not only Anna and Ram Dev – but there are many
Satyagrahis in India – who can come up with perfect forms of Non-violent
Protest. Mahatma Gandhi’s Soul lives on in this country in many human beings –
except perhaps in the hearts of (many of) the Politicians where it should be,
in the first instance.
MP Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on
Monday said - "We have agreed to bring down the water level of dam to 189
metres and to compensate the farmers' land. It will, however, affect irrigation
in 20,000 hectares of land and generation of 120 megawatts electricity,"
said the Chief Minister.
"The
Supreme Court had given the go ahead to increase the water level to 196.5
metres, but we have reduced it for the time being," he said. The MP
government has also formed a three-member ministerial panel to look into the
matter. Better late than Never. So, MP Government should still be appreciated.
At least, there wasn’t a lathi charge in waters! No Police lock-up. No cases on
the villagers. This is Un-like many other Governments. We do hope, MP Government will now
take the rehabilitation steps with a large and humane heart.
However,
it must also be said that - Narmada
Bachao Andolan, which launched this Satyagraha, must keep track of the
progress of rehabilitation of the Villagers; and also enable Government to
finish the developmental works on the Indira Sagar Project on Narmada – which is important for
the development of the state.
JAI HO!
JAL SATYAGRAHIS!
=Yours
Sincerely
v.vijayamohan
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