need 4 National Action !

Hello! My friends. After a long time, we are here again. Twitterattis’ and Facebookers’ silence should not be construed as ‘World-in-Silence’.

Condemning Midnight swoop at RamLila Maidan,  Mistreatment to Krittika Biswas, and Murder of J Dey,

Welcoming Supreme Court verdict on Salwa judum, and Mamata’s announcement on subsidized food,

Not entering into the discussion of Baba’s 11000 army, PM’s inclusion under Lokpal, Rift in UPA over VIP treatment, Azad’s comment on MSMs, and whom Bipasha is dating these days,

Praising Media’s role in Maran’s resignation, and unveiling Doping scandal,

Refusing to comment on Telengana crisis, Rahul’s padyatra, Release of Maria Susairaj, Pitt and Jolie’s decision to tie the knot, and Khan’s Delhi Belly,

Let me pay my tributes to Victims of Mumbai serial blast, Swami Nigamanand

and most importantly people killed in Forbesganj, Bihar (6 people killed); Noida, Uttar Pradesh (4); Dhanbad, Jharkhand(4); Jaitapur, Maharashtra (1); Kakkarapalli, Andhra Pradesh (2); Sompeta, Andhra Pradesh(3); Narayanpatna, Orissa(2); Mudigonda, Andhra Pradesh(8); Nandigram, West Bengal(11) and Kalinganagar, Orissa(13).

On June 2, Mayawati announced a new land acquisition policy under which its role in acquiring land for private developers would only be that of a ‘facilitator’. This is nothing but an attempt to woo farmers after getting them brutally beaten by the police in the backdrop of their agitations in Bhatta-Parsaul Village. To remind you, four persons, including two policemen, were killed in the clashes and firing in Bhatta-Parsaul on May 7. And here Maya was kind enough to say that in the affected villages where land has been acquired, the developer would have to construct a kisan bhawan as well as a model school.

The farmers have been agitating for higher compensation and demanding that only half of their lands should be acquired, while the rest should be handed back to the farmers after development. Their demand is 25% reservation in all schemes of Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway. Moreover they are demanding that the authorities should give 120 square metre plots to landless farmers and a compensation of Rs. 5,00,000 for each acre of acquired land.

But the Chief Minister cleverly clarified her stand saying -areas where land has already been acquired and compensation distributed to farmers including Bhatta-Parsaul and Tappal will be out of the ambit of the policy(announced on June 2). This is not govt’s indifferent attitude for the first time. History of this country is evident of such attitude of every government, be it ruling or in waiting!


However the Supreme Court on July 06 ordered the return of the land to villagers and upheld an Allahabad High Court order quashing the UP notification to acquire 156 hectares of land for construction of residential apartments by private builders. The Bench of Justices G.S. Singhvi and A.K. Ganguly concluded that the entire exercise of acquisition was a colourable exercise. Justice Singhvi lambasted the GNIDA and opined “You will not understand the psyche of the farmer. For him, land is a mother, his means of livelihood and sustenance...” Also the day before, the court criticised States for taking advantage of the colonial land acquisition law to divest farmers of their farmland.

The court on June 27 warned the UP government against invoking the "urgency" clause for acquiring prime agricultural land, saying it would step in if this continued as it did not want "more Nandigrams" and observed "We will not keep our eyes closed." However the argument of Advocate P Narasimhan, appearing for the Shahberi land-owners is worth considering. He advocated for redefining public purpose clause in Land Acquisition Act. He said, “Public purpose is only when there is access for the entire public to the benefits arising out of the acquisition, and for this the public trust doctrine must be applied."

Here, we appreciate his line of argument.

...demanding scrapping of L.A.Act
Photo Courtesy: The Hindu

Farmers, adivasis, dalits and working class people have sacrificed their life for development, while trying to defend their right over the natural resources. In 1998, during the tenure of Babugauda Patil, NAPM led siege to the Rural Development Ministry demanding primary right of Gram Sabha over the development planning and no forced displacement. Since then the issue has been raised at many levels which finally culminated in the 'National Development, Displacement and Rehabilitation' Bill approved by NAC I in 2006. Many organisations, alliances across the country have made their efforts to secure and protect land rights of the landless communities.

Once again after the Greater Noida incidents, an environment has been created whereby every political party is demanding passage of amendments to the existing Land Acquisition Act and UPA government proposed to do so in Monsoon Session. It is a welcome move that the new Rural Development Minister Sri Jairam Ramesh has accepted formulation of one comprehensive law and not two separate legislations. 

However, the people movements’ are demanding to:

·       1.  Repeal the Land Acquisition Act and Enact a comprehensive National Development, No Forced Displacement and Rehabilitation Bill instead of two separate legislations incorporating the progressive elements of the Standing Committee on Rural Development (2007-08) enunciating the principle of least displacement, just rehabilitation and a decentralized development planning based on Article 243 of the Constitution, PESA 1996 and Forest Rights Act, 2006 in consultation with affected communities, movement groups and farmers groups.

·         2. Put moratorium on all acquisitions until the process for a new comprehensive legislation is complete

·         3. Issue a White Paper on all the land acquisitions, displacement caused and rehabilitation completed since independence. The White Paper must also make public the extent of land utilized, unutilized and land acquired for public purpose but remains occupied by sick and non-functional industries and other infrastructure projects.

We here believe the demands to be genuine and reasonable so ask everyone to join hands to protect the agricultural land and secure land rights for the food security needs of the future generations. National Action Against Forced Displacement & Land Grab and For Community Control Over Natural Resources & Livelihood Rights is need of the hour.

..the extent to which we went wrong

Egypt, Libya and other countries might have witnessed a mass agitation against an INDIVIDUAL. But the civil society movement, against an ISSUE, which India witnessed in the recent past or witnessing today, is unique and sui generis. Some equated it with Jai Prakash’s movement and a few emotionally called it as a ‘second freedom struggle’ for the nation. And there is nothing to dispute if anyone have seen the way the people of country behaved.

On hunger strike and talking to National mediasPhoto courtesy: Jitendra Choudhary

We have participated in the first phase of crusade and are watching, very neutrally, the second phase which Swami Ramdev is leading today. We are neither here to justify his cause nor are part of the smear campaign. When govt is overreacting on his fast and he is getting VVIP treatment; there is nothing to be amazed about. Yes! Govt learned the lesson from history or Anna’s movement in specific. But citizens of this country is definitely surprised when today morning Hazare came up and announced that he will join Baba Ramdev's protest fast in Delhi on June 5.

When the national media is running the show of Civil Society Leadership and division among them, Anna’s step is definitely welcoming. But the justification which he gave to the nation, appears to be absurd. He lashed out at the Centre saying that the government has tried to cheat civil society members on the Lokpal bill and tried to sabotage the Lokpal panel.  

Here, I don’t understand how govt cheated? We asked for notification, govt did; we wanted panel, govt oblidged; we wanted PM and CJI to include under Lokpal, govt discussing it. Kiran Bedi said yesterday that there is no problem govt taking time. After all democracy is a govt by debate and discussion. What’s wrong in it and where govt cheated us?

Yes! There was conflict and controversy over membership from civil society. The issue of father son duo arised… But who raised it? It is Baba Ramdev and the nation and there is nothing wrong. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion may it be divergent. Secondly, the CD case... Is Anna trying to say that was govt sponsored? I don’t know it might be. But Truth should always see the light no matter when and where.

Am not in full agreement with Vinod Metha but the question remains, when civil society is working with the govt why this Ramdev fast then? Can the Blackmoney be brought with someone fasting? After all we have to give time to the govt. Agreed! they have not done what they should have done and Hon’ble Supreme Court is also annoyed but we have to be realistic. We should allow National debate and help in institution building.

The second most important is that of Lokpal issue. Our dead line was Aug 15, so why this step now? There are 28 more days to June 30^th. Don’t you think civil society doing something which they shouldn’t do now?

Let’s come to the issue of panel now. The objective behind the formation of panel was to debate and discuss on the matters of Lokpal mutually and prepare a draft. Objective was not to impose the society’s draft as the Panel’s draft. Both side have to compromise and ensure which suits the best. When civil society is taking the view of the citizens, govt is equally entitled to. Moreover govt has said that they will get back to them by June 6. Here Arvind Kejriwal threatening to leave the discussion is horrible and is not done. There might be differences of opinion on the so called “issue of divergence” but dialogue must continue. We understand the spirit of civil society (Now or Never) but we have to behave reasonably and not do something for which citizens have to burden their blogs writing all these...

dhadkan of millions..

A 72-year-old man is still in fast and am in deep sleep here! …it didn’t take me, ½ a minute to jump from my bed. ..From yesterday morning, Anna Hazare sat on fast-unto-death at Jantar Mantar and in the evening, I was trying to make my friends, in front of the boys’ hostel, appreciate the implications of Jan Lokpal Bill. I easily convinced people here but politicians were not convinced there (Delhi). 

Anna Hazare on fast-unto-death
Photo Courtesy: The Hindu

The chain hunger strike, of this Anti corruption crusade, will continue till April 11 and a 'Jail Bharo' agitation will be launched on April 12, whereby people and activists will court arrest. At this time, Congress leader Satyavrat Chaturvedi appears with an argument, which was like Malinga’s ball and not that easy to avoid. “You can’t dictate us,” was his argument. It made clear that Congress has not come out from and is still with Montesquieu’ s “Separation of Power.” Yes! There is nothing wrong in it. When Supreme Court made it Basic Structure, politicians should remember it. The underlying thing, which he is trying to put forward, is very  simple- Legislature is entrusted with the power to legislate. The Jan Lokpal bill, which Hazare is pressing for enactment to tackle corruption, is not the legislative creation. They fear the fate of the Act being challenged as Unconstitutional. Moreover the asli fear is the precedent that will be set up..

Completely agreed! When representatives are elected and are given power to legislate, what the construction should be, when citizen try to become part the Drafting Committee? Government can take the advice of people but when civil society is coming up with a bill, is government bound to respect that? I completely understand the compulsions of the government but look, things are different here. The demand is not to pass the Bill, which is prepared by the civil society, as it is. The demand is to form a joint committee, which will prepare a bill. In Parliament, legislature is free to discuss, debate and pass.. None is interested to perform legislatures' duty. And about the question of precedent, what precedent they are talking about? Are the Major Acts of Maharashtra, unconstitutional? Is this government going crazy? Come on! you have good lawyers.. Give some valid reasons for non acceptance or else call media and accept it!   

No constituency or a ward is coming together here on a political call... It is the Nations’ will that is involved and the entire Nation is coming together. No compulsion, no temptation, no lust but see and count the number (of people). Voluntary! Voluntary and Voluntary! A yagna is on and Idam Sareeram rastraya swah, idam na mama (this body is for this Nation and not for self!) is mantra today. It is no less than Gandhiji’s 'National Movement' and we are witness to Ajadi ki dusri ladhai. Mahatma of 50's fought for Self Governance and Modern day Mahatma is standing to fight for Good Governance. The Trust deficit or Mistrust among people is verbalism of this agitation and it will soon become a revolution if ignored. However, we the law students will not mind, if this India v. Corruption case bring to the fore a new proposition of law.

 Arnab Goswami rightly pointed out- “if there is a Will, there will be Bill”. My friends, we are not in a Democracy, which is just elective but India is a Participatory Democracy and I will not be condemnable if I say Legislature and Executive of this country are not above Public Will. Let the Public Will be respected and let my country go by the dhadkan of millions.. 

B Law: Blasphemy/Black Law

Bloggers are not calendar freaks, journalists are. So, we don’t have to take a U turn @ the end of every year, which is ‘one of the trade’s oldest rituals’ in journalism as Mr. Aroon Purie will tell you. With no obligation to perform any ritual, let me wish you on 13^th day of Jan a Happy and successful English New Year and New Decade. May you never be a Raja! May there be no Adarsh in India!

            When India is in 87^th row in Transparency International’s corruption Perceptions Index 2010, my fingers have to cross 56 more to reach our neighbor. I have no issue when they are worst corrupted than us but the ideological ebbing in that country made me to write this post. Yes! I am talking about the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the murder of Taseer…

            We in India have cases of Murder by body guards but here the case is slightly diff. No material add but conflicting ‘oughts’ was following the nine bullets of Qadri. It was a war by Islamic terrorists, not against war on terror but to mould Pak with a Cimmerian vision. Zulfiqar Ahmad rightly pointed out it is vision of a world without modern education, without music, without humour. It is a world where women were imprisoned within the walls of their homes, non believers have no rights, children are not allowed to play and sing, and anything that brings joy is banished. And in that visional world, Salmaan Taseer- the Governor of Punjab had to pay the price for calling Blasphemy Law as Black Law. Principles of chartered accountancy and social accountancy are different!! (here social accountancy is diff what you empathise it.)

            Supporting the parliamentary bill, prepared by Sherry Rehman, to modify the anti-blasphemy law was Taseer’s crime. This bill, which was introduced in 1986 during General Zia-ul-Haq, is yet to be tabled and it seeks to eliminate death penalty for blasphemy.Though the basis of ‘two nation theory’ was Religion but untill mid 70s, religion played a marginal role in Pak polity. But the subsequent proliferation of Islamisation have conferred the Islamic terrorists a degree without Convocation. When non believer’s rights are widely acknowledged, Sharia court sentencing Asia Bibi to death for blasphemy and murder of Taseer for supporting her for presidential pardon is a wrong indication to the Rights philosophy and Liberal World. We are not against the Islamisation of that country but the means they have adopted can perhaps be changed. As a citizen of other country it is of no interest to me but in the era of increasing dependency and increasing cross border Egresses these news can’t be kept off just by turning the pages.

Say NO 2 'no-burqa' cl.

After listening, the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India, Justice J. S. Verma, a secular man, in the 2^nd Seervai memorial lecture at KIIT Law School, it is surprising to see the news as reported by TOI - Foreigners who come to live in France should sign a contract recognising that the wearing of the full Islamic veil is banned. The government is drafting legislation to restrict the wearing of the face-covering veil after a parliament report last month called for a burqa ban in all schools, hospitals, government offices and public transport. Morano said the newcomers' contract currently states that …polygamy …not allowed in France (which is again a typical characteristics of Islamic Society).

Again President Nicolas Sarkozy has declared the burqa "not welcome" in secular France and is in favour of legislation to outlaw it. Home to Europe's biggest Muslim minority estimated at between five and six million, France has been debating measures to outlaw the veil even though only about 1,900 women wear the burqa, according to the interior ministry. …all women must show their faces when entering public institutions or boarding public transport and keep their face uncovered throughout their presence there. Failure to do so should result in a refusal to deliver the service demanded. French interior minister Brice Hortefeux said in December that both women who wear veils and their husbands should be 'systematically refused' French residents' permits.

Supporters of a ban argue that the veil is an affront to French values and that it is a sign of a type of creeping fundamentalism that must not be allowed to take hold among French Muslims. In 2004, France passed a law banning headscarves and any other "conspicuous" religious symbols in state schools after a long-running debate on how far it was willing to go to accommodate Islam in its strictly secular society.

When it comes to protection of Christian minority in India, the country like France and other EU members come to the frontline to defame India, to nude India in the international arena. But what kind to minority protection they are talking about, when they carry such horrible and stupid ideas towards Muslim minority in their country. Yes! Secular…. What kind of secularism, they lecture. Is banning minorities’ burqa, your Secularism? You don’t allow the minority to observe their fundamentals and come in between the internal matters of this nation i.e. India, which is a land of many faiths but of one national outlook (P. J. Nehru). However look at my nation... my Secularism is of different kind...a different outlook at anyone else can think of... A novel idea to enjoy, cherish and celebrate. The understanding is that…if a State identifies itself with any particular religion, there will be rift within the State. After all, the State represents all the people, who live within its territories, and, therefore, it cannot afford to identify itself with the religion of any particular section of the population… a State should not identify itself with any particular religion... We have certainly declared that India would be a secular State. …a secular state is neither a God-less State nor an irreligious nor an anti-religious State. This was the dialogue of H. V. Kamat in the Constituent Assembly debates in 6^th Dec., 1948. This is my (country’s) version of secularism. My State honours all faiths and gives them equal opportunities.... 

There is no reason why a French woman should not be allowed to enter a public place. Moreover by not allowing they are forcing them stay at home, and not allowing them to integrate into western societies. A civilized State like France should come out from this stupid idea of 'no-burqa' clause.

a State where outsiders decide internal matters

After celebrating 61^st Republic Day, the govt. of India is yet to understand that we are a "Sovereign nation” and a Ninth standard student can say- Sovereign means internally supreme and externally independent. The executives are still not sure that they have to take the policy decision themselves and not the EU members!

 

A 10 member delegation from the EU is scheduled to visit the Kandhamal district on 2nd February, 2010. They will stay in Orissa up to 5th Feb. They will visit Kandhamal district to observe the present situation and will discuss with the Chief Secretary and Home Secretary before the visit. They will also discuss with Ark Bishop Rafel Chinath and others. Spanish embassy Ramon Moreno had proposed to visit the district on 27^th Jan. But they could not able to visit because the government of Orissa was not ready for that. But after the interference of the centre the state has agreed. Last year due to election the centre was not prepared. But now the government has allowed the diplomats to visit the communally fragile district. Besides meeting the people; the diplomats would hold discussions with the district administration..... As if the country’s situations are their responsibility.

Can one recall, an incident, where the Govt. of India had intervened in any of the internal matters of any other country? No, there is no such incident because India very knows that if it intervenes, a slap and a kick is ready for it. Indian government has not even dared to talk strongly with Australia, where its people are attacked.

There is no business of the OUTSIDERS in the internal matter of this country. The visit of European Union delegation would only spark off fresh tension. So, the proposed visit of the EU delegation should be cancelled by the government and withdraw the permission granted for the purpose immediately. TOI reports “The European Union’s trip assumes importance considering that French President Nicolas Sarkozy, in his capacity as President of European Union then, had forced a ‘national shame’ response in October, 2008, from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the Kandhmal violence.” Similarly they will after visit bring out certain policy which will command our national life. I can’t understand, who the hell is this European Union? My Public International Law teacher taught me that UN is responsible for the maintenance of peace and security under Article 1 of UNC. But from which Charter, from which convention and from which date, now EU is entrusted this responsibility. If it is... then we damn care about it.


Why EU is interested in Kandhmal? Are those affected in Kandhmal not Indian? EU has indicted India on several occasions for human rights violations. Soon after violence broke out in Kandhamal, the European Commission, EU’s executive wing, called it a “massacre of minorities.” But I have a question to ask, how many delegations have visited Mumbai after 26/11? The people died were not less, there. There was also violation of Human Rights…. as far as I know. We don't believe in majority and minority concept. All are equal before the law and equal protection of laws, is available to all. Even after that if you say---minority, I must tell the minorities protection in India, is excellent than any other country or even the member countries of EU.

let me tell u sth.

When I signed in to preview my email at swainsatyaranjan@yahoo.com, I found a mail from Mrs. Medha Patkar, an admired social activist, former Commissioner to the World Commission on Dams. The mail was titled as Three Day Bal Mela of Thousands of Children Culminates in the Narmada Valley. On Friday, 16 January, 2009, I had received an invitation mail from NBA to that Bal Mela. But unfortunately I could not able to go. By the way after getting this mail, I suddenly decided to write a few lines about my internship in “Narmada Bachao Andolon” (NBA).
I along with my six colleagues reached “Bhadwani” (MP), where the NBA office located on the dazzling morning of 17th May 2008 with a new vigor and energy for intern. I chose to do my intern with this because I am very much fascinated in movement or institution which concerns to the interest of the tribal and the poor at large. The main objective of my intern is to erect an understanding on people’s movement and develop my own understanding taking both the sides i.e. the people and the State, into consideration and to enlarge the horizon of knowledge from the simple approach to a more complex understanding of violent systems, the perpetuation of these systems by narrow political tactics.
The media bequeath the happenings outside the four walls of our house. But sometimes it conveys the news in such a way that people get the completely negative image unlike me about NBA. I learned from the society where I live in, that the activist and the supporters of the Andolon are anti nationalists and against the development of the country. But after going to NBA, I could able to know that nothing could be more devastating to the nation than permitting the narrow minded politicians to live and rule in this country and oppose NBA. The politicians want to defame and create a false depiction of the Andolon so that the barriers in the process of corruption will be out for the days to come. What not narrow politics do??? The soot in my mind has gone.
The main issue for which NBA stands before the govt. is the "Rehabilitation and Resettlement"- (R&R) of the displaced and affected people. According to the Narmada Water Dispute Tribunal (NWDT), every project-affected family (PAF) should be given land one year prior to the submergence of their land and be rehabilitated completely. But the govt. ignores it like anything.

A EVENING WITH TRIBALS..
In the evening we went to Pichodi, where we met Hari Bhai and others who enlighten us with their experience of many years. The statement of Hari Bhai is mentionable here. “The nature has given us everything. There is nothing to be done more. Govt. should sit ideally because nothing more is to be done but the govt. is destroying and devastating the grants what nature has given us and…”
For the next two days, we had gone to many villages like Baguda, Kundia, Pipri, Piplipat, Chota Borda, Burlai, Sagaon and other where we could able to know a lot of things about the submergence areas. There I have to admit that all this was partly the result of extraordinary crafty tactics on the part of the govt. on the one hand, and obvious official stupidity or naïvete on the other hand.

PRESS CONSULTANCY: A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE
On 21st to 22nd May, we have attended a press consultancy of the media persons across the country. It was a two days consultancy held in Babangaja. It was in the memorial of the lt. Sanjay Sangbhai, who was not only a journalist but also a ground level activist, writer and litterateur. He was the most effective intervener and strategiser in the present world of corrupt politics, corporatisied economy and increasingly consumerist society and a man of vision, strategy for transformation, culture and ethics, whose commitment were not merely verbalized but practiced. Mr. Amit Prakash and Mr. Chinmaya Mishra were the main attraction of that consultancy. Mr. Kurian, Mr. Himansu, Mr. Robin, Mr. Santanu Mayur, Dr. Saheb, Mr. Shriprakash, Mr. Devesh, Ms. Chitrangada, Ms. Namita, Ms. Bhumika and others were also present in the consultancy. All the invited persons are welcomed by the villagers of Pipri. There held a detail discussion about the Development Paradigm, People’s Movement and the media. The inaugural session was with a struggle song by the people, which adds a great spirit within me. Mr. Chinmay Mishra gave the welcome address. Mr. Amit Prakashji and Ms. Medhaji gave a light about the theme of the development, media and movements. In the 2nd session of that very day, there was a brief discussion about development and displacement, land acquisition, rehabilitation and other laws related to the issue of displacement. On the 3rd session the major discussion was about the privatization of water, water management, Big Dams and other alternatives by the Manthon Team. In that discussion the Hon’ble speaker gave a glance over the privatization of water and the Water ATM or the Pre-paid water metre, which is now used in South Africa. The stage agreed in the same point that it is the most stupid idea of the age. The most important thing which Ms. Medhaji brought to the fore front is that Gujurat is using only 6.5% of the total generation of the water. She criticized the govt. plan of sending water to Rajastan in a strong voice. She compared it with the transferring of capital of Md. Toglak. As the people dies before reaching the capital, similarly the water will die up before reaching there and its not the joke but the reality. In the 4th session there was detail discussion about the Narmada Valley and the SSP project.
People’s movement and the role of media was the topic of discussion on the 6th session, which was held in the very next day i.e. in 22.05.08. In the 7th session the discussion was regarding the media in the present scenario. In the last but not the least there held a very important discussion what can media do? In the another session of the day Ms. Bhumika gave a glance of reality how the editors emphasize on TG (targeted group) and reject the news relating to the social issues. On that day we went to partee, where there was a great breach in medical service.

A DAY IN BHADAL
On the very next day we went to “Bhadal”, a village in the state of Maharastra, which is very far from peoples’ reach. It was a completely a different experience where we had to cross the river to reach over there. During our travelling Medhaji told many things related to dam. There the people and the little school children welcome us in a very fabulous manner. Today I could also recall their slogan “paper wala, kaida wala (they were calling us Kaida wala, as we are the student of law) kudin chha, media wala ….aamra chha and the song of indore wala jaldi aao…cycle chadhi..The environment was a heroic one with the slogan of aamu akha.. eka se by Medhaji. In that programme people shared their experience how the govt. officials drove them in the night, when the river was rising, like anything. The people over there didn’t get any land for their land which was submerged and been made victim for the next generation to come. From this it is very much clear that Victimization is not completely only a North American phenomenon but also in India where the constitution commands for, as Beacon said, Greatest happiness of greatest number. Ms. Medhaji is also running a primary school named Jivaansala, which is building the generation both by educating them and making them aware about their rights (“Jeevanshala Ki Kya Hai Baath…Ladai Padai Sath Sath” (The fact about Jeevanshala is that Struggle and Study goes together), and “Bacha Bacha
Seekhegaa – Andolan Chalayegaa” (Each child will learn and participate in
the Andolan).

A DAY OF LEARNING
On 24th May, I went to RTI office with Ashishji for inspection. There I could able to know a lot of things from Ashishji and others which might not be possible by going through the heavy text materials regarding RTI. After that I went to Mr. Goha, who is the Rehabilitation officer of Thikri Tehsil. I had a brief talk with him about different policies of rehabilitation and others. Some of my friends on that day went to “Piplud” with Medhaji.

A NIGHT IN SAGAON
In Sagaon, we stayed in Hukum Bhai’s house for two days and done the survey of the village. We have also done the survey of those people who are denied of rights of getting land for land and whose major sons are not given the land, showing “encroacher” as the reason. At night after our dinner, Hukum Bhai told a lot of things from both history and mythology about the Narmada River and the Narmada civilization. He told us about the “Sulpaneswar Shiva Temple”, where Markanda Rishi worshipped Lord and in that place Lord Himself had washed His Trident, bloodshed by killing one devil. This temple has already submerged by the dam water. He also told us that the skeleton of the man of primitive was found in the Narmada valley and the Narmada civilization is the 1st civilization. He further added that 1st agriculture was done in “Chikalda”, which is in the Narmada valley. Hukum Bhai is also a supporter of the Andolan.

A MEETING FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TEMPLE
I with one of my friend had attended a meeting, held in Bodhwada, with Ashishji. The SDJM and the SDOP were the chief quest of that meeting. The meeting was to consult the villagers regarding the replacement of the “Budheswar Mahadev temple”, because we are in the so called State of DEMOCRACY, where public opinion is given prime importance. That was the temple of 12th century. It is also believed that this Lord is discovered from the land and there is a cave under that temple. The Lord is also called “Deaopat Ling” by the villagers. The meeting will be memorable one because I have never seen such type of govt. officials before. “…I am not bound to answer each and every question” said the esteemed officer. So, I directly told him that as a govt. official you are accountable and answerable. “….we can’t, you can go to the upper officials.” On the reply, I told him that if it is the system directly to go to the upper levels then why are you?? After the meeting I requested him to answer some question. But the SDOP, Mr. J. Darore, sharply denied, stating that it is his choice. Then I told him that from the date you sit in the public office, your life is no longer private.
This is democracy or demoncracy!

A PATHETIC EXPERIENCE IN MACHALIA
After Sagaon, on 28th May, we went to Machalia, which is in Nanpur. We and the students of Solapur, went there with Kamal Bhai. The Jobat planning is also called Sahid Chandrasekhar Azad Planning. Among one of the affected thirteen villages i.e. Umada, every facilities for rehabilitation has been made but they are not provided those facilities. One of the interesting as well as regretful incident I came across was that a cheque of a Project affected man was issued in another’s name. So, he is going to the bank each and every day from 10-5pm to deliver the cheque. It was told that 9000 hectar of land will be irrigated but it has not yet done even after the completion of the project. In this village we stayed for a day. But this was a pathetic experience. There were no facilities available. We slept outside like in Sagaon. But… a hot day with… (“…” not to remember bad experience. )

TWO DAYS IN A BEAUTIFUL VILLAGE
Bhawaria is a very beautiful village. That will submerge in 138m height of the dam. The survey is not conducted in that village. A large no. of people have received only 1st installment and could not able to purchase the land. So, they could not able to get the 2nd installment. There was the large nos. of case related to forgery registration and ex partee allotment.

A VISIT TO NISHARPUR
My self with one of my friend went to Nisharpur to do a survey regarding the Special Rehabilitation Package. There we stayed in one of the activists of NBA. The daughter in law of that activist uncle was very hospitable. For the first time in that long month, I got good food just like prepared by my mother. But the people in that village were very uncooperative. We could not able to complete the survey. One of them tried a lot to convenience the people. But all his labour was in vain. We have to return without completing the survey.

KEVADIYA: AN EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE
I and my friends with Wilson, a student of Tamil Nadu, went to Baroda, on 11th June from Barwani to attend the public meeting & press conference which was to be held in Kevadiya near to the dam site. Kevadiya is a village about 100 km. from Baroda and the Sardar Sarovar Dam is just 8km from the village. There the govt. has taken 1700 acres of lands of the villagers for construction of dam but 1400acres are not of any use. So, it is constructing its own buildings, quest houses, restaurants etc. But the people over there were in relay hunger strike for the last nine months in protest of it. The govt. is not listening anything. Medhaji joined with them and make the official to accept the grievance of the people and the official promised to return the land of the villagers within a month. The people went for a rally after that and I with some of my friends return to Baroda with Medhaji. The returning trip was the interesting one. The DSP with police came and stopped us to go to Baroda because the collector and the SP have told that there is danger to Medhaji’s life. After the long time the police allowed us to go further and accompanied us up to the station. They also came with us after leaving Medhaji in the station. They compel us to give all our details, took our photos and accompanied us to the border of Gujurat. This was our last visit to the villages, which will be memorable for the days to come…

ENDING UP WITH…
Nothing left to say more than saying that what is going on over there in the name of development is not right… if devastating the brilliantly settled village, snatching the smiles from those innocent faces, obliterating the natural world, spreading clamor amongst the people, sitting gently after pushing those lives into the whirlpool of water and violating the constitutional & fundamental rights is development. Then I will surely say NBA is against development. The soot which is in my mind about NBA disappears after coming here. May the people understand the movement in the right sense and give strength, support to lead the nation to the heights?

PUBlic attack...

It’s excellent to preserve the culture. But it’s not the way, in which the Shri Ram Sena is doing. Kalik Ji Maharaj, the International President of Shri Ram Sena, used to say, the job of Sena is to protect and respect the culture. (“Shri ram sena ka kaam hinduo ki raksha, hinduo ke adhikar, hinduo ke maan, samman aur hindu sanskruti ko bachana hai”). But today, I want to ask them “Is, chasing the girls into the street, slapping them, pulling their hair and pushing to the ground, is respecting and preserving the culture? “In our culture, we respect and salute women and give them the status of mother” Sastras used to say, the God is pleased, where women are respected (jatra najyastu pujyante ramante tatra devata). But it is regretted to see yesterday on the television screen that a group of 40 activists of the Sri Ram Sena barged into the pub "Amnesia — The Lounge" and beat up a group of young women and men, claiming the women were “violating traditional Indian values”.

a world in itself..

(21ST TO 23RD DECEMBER 2007)

The most highlighting news regarding the dist. Kalahandi is the death of the villagers. When the opposition political party claims it as the starvation death the govt. strongly denies this and says it as the death due to eating mango kernel.

The objective of this survey is to know the ground reality, what causes death. For this we the four students viz. Nidhi, Bhavana, Bidisha and myself of KNLS under the guidance of Mr. yogesh Pratap Singh, Mr. Pinaki Nadan Pattanaik and Mr. Kaish Khan had gone to the villages of Kalahandi dist.

We have conducted our survey by preparing questionnaire. We have also asked the government officials and others in this regard.

On the 21^st, we went to the villages of Kalahandi viz. Pokri Ghat and Yamuna Sagar. We asked the people about some of the general information and took their views on the functioning of the village authority. The average member of each family is five. Generally they belong to two caste viz. kandha and harijan. The level of education is very low. Maximum no. of the people does not possess land. So, they have to work at others land. The major crops which they cultivate are rice and the main source of income is agriculture. The income is nearly Rs. 800/- of a family.

The opinion of the people though different but they agrees upon many things. As per the data both of the villages have the gram panchayat. But the functioning of the gram pradhan ie. the sarpanch is not satisfactory. The govt. is providing ration and old day’s pension also in Pokari Ghat. Some of the people have got labour card, in which they get job. But unfortunately they do not get daily work. The NGOs called World Vision is working there. Some other nongovernmental organization has also built the bathrooms for them. The Natural Resource Management Plantation is doing plantation work over there. All most all agreed on the point that the people have access to the forest land. In Pokari Ghat and Yamuna Sagar, there are government schools upto 5^th standard and the Anganwadi workers teach the kids. The villages of the two villages agreed that there is no primary health centre over there and they have to go to Bhabani Patna, which is far from those villages. People are not aware about the Right to Information Act 2005.