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dam-l PR: Farmers' Organisations Must Support Narmada Struggle
NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
B-13, Shivam flats, Ellora Park, Baroda-390007
Press Release/ September 26, 1999
FARMERS' ORGANISATIONS MUST SUPPORT NARMADA STRUGGLE
Appeal By Dr. Sunilam of Kisan Sangharsha Samiti on Second Day of Dharna
"The struggle in the Narmada valley is an important struggle of the farmers
for their right to life and for their resources, therefore, the farmers'
organisations from all over India should support the Narmada struggle" said
Dr. Sunilam of the Kisan Sangharsha Samiti from Madhya Pradesh. He was
speaking in the indefinite dharna (sit-in) today (Sunday, 26 September), of
the adivasis and peasants in the Narmada valley. The people took out a
torchlight procession in Dhule to assert their opposition to the Sardar
Sarovar Project and displacement.
The people are demanding the immediate unconditional release of the
arrested villagers and discussions by the state government with the people
on basic issues. About three hundred people from Maharashtra, Madhya
Pradesh and supporters from different parts of India joined the dharna.
Number of orgnisations from Dhule district today reiterated their
solidarity with the people's struggle.
Dr. Sunilam made it clear that the Narmada issue is an issue of the farmers
and farming. That is why the Kisan Sangharsha Samiti supports the Narmada
struggle as a struggle of farmers' against displacement and destitution.
Talking with the Dhule press he lamented that no political party in India
has been taking up the basic issues even during an important period like
the elections. He decried the statement by the Maharashtra Chief Minister,
Mr. Narayan Rane, that he would deal firmly with the Andolan. "Mr. Rane
does not know the history and the issues of Andolan and he should know that
no dictator in the history could suppress a people's movement worth the
name. Narmada struggle is important not only for the people in the valley
but for the downtrodden people all over India," he said.
Rajkumar Sinha, the main activist of the Bargi Bandh Visthapit Sangha, the
organisations fighting for the rights of the Bargi dam oustees in M.P. also
came to express solidarity with the current phase of the struggle. He
alleged that the releases from the Bargi dam, the first project on Narmada,
caused the devastating floods in Hoshangabad region this month. Prof. J.G.
Khairnar of Dhule made it clear that the Indian Constitution gives primacy
to the rights of the downtrodden people and the courts too must follow the
spirit of the constitution inspired by Dr. Ambedkar.
Jordar Pavra of Punarvsan Sangharsha Samiti narrated the wretched condition
of those who have been displaced already. Mansram Jat for Nimad,
reasserted the resolve of the people from the valley to fight for their
land and villages.
Meanwhile number of organizations and prominent persons from Maharashtra,
Tamilnadu, Kerala, Delhi, Bengal have conveyed the Chief Minister of
Maharashtra that the demands of the people of the Narmada valley.
Sanjay Sangvai