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dam-l SSP Call For Action
Friends,
Please ensure maximum dissemination of this and enthuse others too to
participate in this.
For those of you who like to receive attached files, for keeping the format
un-changed, we are sending the same matter in attached form too.
Thanks.
--------------------
Call For Action
Manavadhikar Yatra
(Human Rights March)
Dear friends,
The recent Supreme Court interim order on February 18, in the matter of
Narmada, has yet again stirred up a discussion among the concerned on the
Judiciary’s role in protecting the interests of the deprived and the
marginalised, in probing the ‘public purpose’ of large projects, and in
paving the way for sustainable, equitable alternatives. We are sure that
you are well aware about it. The interim order, confined only to the
rehabilitation aspect, which allowed the states to raise the height of the
dam from the present 80.3 meters to 85 meters, will result in irreparable
damages. A large part of the tribal villages - in Maharashtra, Madhya
Pradesh and Gujarat - will be affected in the coming monsoon. This is at a
time when the states are not prepared enough to rehabilitate those affected
at present, nor have any readiness for it in the coming months and years.
This is also at a time when hundreds of families who have returned from the
Rehabilitation sites – because of the abysmal, uninhabitable conditions
there – are yet to be properly rehabilitated. The fact that the Government
has no land to offer for resettlement, despite the misleading information
given in the Supreme Court, by the states and Union of India, has been
proved through mass rallies and open discussions held with government
authorities, demanding a joint inspection of land and sites. You might have
already received press notes/reports on those actions and results (this is
also well documented - audio and video). While permitting the states to
raise the height of dam, the Court has simultaneously ordered the proper
rehabilitation of all under 85 metres. and a submission by the governments
detailing the rehabilitation plans for the families under 90 metres.
The people of Narmada Valley, after struggling for last 14 years are left
to face this sheer injustice at the hands of the system at large. The State
has been trying to displace the people through fraud and repression. The
tribal and farmer families are deprived of their lives and livelihood. The
people’s movement in the Narmada valley thus has reached a critical stage,
the outcome of which will be decisive for millions of people fighting
against displacement, unsustainable and unjust policies and projects. The
time has come, therefore, for the people of the valley to rise up with full
support and participation of thousands all over the country, not only in
the river valleys but wherever the struggle on development issues and
displacement is on.
The men, women and children from hundreds of villages on the banks of
Narmada are determined to take the battle to the streets, once again. They
shall come out to convey to the civil society, not just to the callous,
repressive State but to the common people, the imposed destitution and
sealed fate of theirs. They have to fight this battle of life and death.
People from the Satpuda and Vindhya ranges - tribal villages in Maharashtra
and Madhya Pradesh, the "relocated" but not "rehabilitated" oustees from
Gujarat and the farmers-labourers from Nimad (Madhya Pradesh) will march on
the streets, crossing the towns and cities of Madhya Pradesh and
Maharashtra to Delhi.
The people coming from different points will meet at Shahada on April 1st
to form a huge rally. They will go through the towns of Dhule, Malegaon,
Nasik and Thane (all in Maharashtra - by road) and will reach Mumbai to
challenge the Government of Maharashtra on their misleading affidavits,
claims and information given to the Court. The yatra will then head towards
Delhi (by trains), where at the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
the people will confront the officials who reported to the Court that the
states have rehabilitated all under 85 mts.- with land and other amenities
- and are ready for the ones coming under 90 mts. (A tentative schedule of
yatra is enclosed).
Affected people of other dams in Narmada Valley - Bargi, Narmada Sagar
Project, Maheshwar etc. – and some of the other people’s organisations will
be reaching Delhi straight, supporting the action and raising the issues of
displacement and destitution, at large. Other representatives of people’s
organisations, especially from Maharashtra, will be with the yatra
throughout.
Inspite of ill-health, Baba Amte will be reaching Delhi, after a few years
gap, to guide the agitation. He will reach Delhi through Madhya Pradesh, by
road, holding meetings at many places.
The programmes on the way will include public/street corner meetings, photo
exhibition, film show, press conference etc. The songs and slogans - a part
and parcel of the struggle - through out the yatra, will, of course,
empower the people.
You can reach Badwani on March 31st or Dhule on April 1st. If you are
coming by road, Badwani is 40 kms off Bombay-Agra highway (11-13 hours from
Bombay). Please get down at Julwania and you will get buses to reach
Badwani. If by train, please reach Baroda, Khandwa or Indore. From these
places, it is 4-6 hours of bus journey. At Badwani you will not find
difficult to locate our office [62, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Badwani - Tel:
(07290) 22464]. If you plan to reach Dhule, by road, it is on the
Bombay-Agra highway (9-10 hours from Bombay). If by train, you can get down
at Chalisgaon and take bus (2 hrs journey - train service between
Chalisgaon and Dhule is not frequent). At Dhule, Prof.Shyam Patil will be
the contact person [26, Ashok Nagar, Near Water Tank, Dhule. Tel. (02562)
34519]. From Badwani, you can join the yatra. At Dhule, either you can
proceed towards Shahada (which is 2 hrs. far) and join the public meeting
at 6 pm or wait for the rally to reach Dhule at 9 pm.
As a close friend/supporter of NBA for the last many years, who stood with
us in our difficult times, we call upon you once again to extend your
support to the movement. We appeal to you to come and join the thousands in
the yatra - from the beginning to the end. Please remember to carry the
banners and posters of your organisation. Before you start, please ensure
maximum publicity of the same in your area - through media and other ways.
Eminent persons of your area issuing statements in support of the cause
will help highlighting the issue. Your participation in the yatra will not
only strengthen the movement but will also pave way for the State to know
the intensity by which we all uphold the Right to Life and Livelihood.
We also appeal you to muster financial help for us. The huge expenses for
the programme can be met only through the help of others. However small an
amount it may be for you, it will be a great relief for Andolan. In kind
too, you can help us. Food materials, grains, office stationary etc. will
be the most useful.
Volunteers, sparing a month or few weeks for Andolan, before and during the
yatra, will be of great help. They can support us in mobilisation and
planning and participate in the yatra - sharing the responsibilities.
For the people of Narmada valley, time has come again to fight with their
only weapon - their lives - to save and protect life and not to succumb to
the immoral pressures of the system.
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of Indian Constitution, has
emphasised the need to "educate, organise and struggle". He stressed the
right to equality for the downtrodden and depressed classes as the sure way
for democracy. This is Justice. To deny this right is contempt of Justice
as envisaged by Dr. Ambedkar and other architects, including Gandhiji, of
Freedom Movement.
We trust that you will be a part of this action, to strengthen the hands of
your tribal-farmer brethren, who are also part of this nation and whose
resources are part of the national wealth.
Once again the song echoes the valley - "Narmada ki ghati me ab ladai jaari
hai, chalo utho, chalo utho rokna vinash hai" (Struggle is on in the
Narmada valley. Rise up, destruction has to be stopped…)
In solidarity,
Prabhubahi Tadvi Noorji Padvi Jaganath Patidar Rehmat
Nandini Oza
Shripad Dharmadhikari Alok Agarwal Silvy Sanjay Sangvai
Medha Patkar
--------------------------
Draft Schedule of Yatra
People from Badwani will start on April 1st morning to reach Shahada (the
route will be Badwani-Anjad-Rajpur-Niwali-Khetia-Shahada). While oustees
from Gujarat resettlement sites will start on March 31st evening, oustees
from Maharashtra resettlement site will start on 1st morning. People from
Maharashtra villages will also start on 1st morning via Dhadgaon. All these
rallies will merge into yatra at Shahada.
Date Place Time
April 1st Shahada 6 pm
Dhule 9 pm
Stay at Dhule or Malegaon
April 2nd Malegaon & nearby places
Stay at Malegaon or Nasik
April 3rd Nasik
April 4th Thane Morning
Dadar Evening
Stay at Dadar
April 5th Bombay (Mantralaya)
Catching trains on 5th evening/night and 6th morning to Delhi
April 7th onwards - Dharna at Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
and other programmes.
Attachment converted: Macintosh HD:call for action - Manavadhikar
(BINA/MSWD) (0000F4F5)