Bhopal and Narmada: 2 protests in New Delhi
by - 05.04.2006 23:06
Campaigners trying to stop the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the river Narmada being raised even higher, leading to further losses of homes and fields, have been demonstrating in the capital, Delhi, right across the road from where the Bhopalis are staging their own dharna (protest demonstration). The Narmadans and Bhopalis are old allies and have been entertaining each other with songs and dances and generally keeping each others' spirits up. Medha Patkar and a few others were on hunger strike. They have not eaten for around a week and two of the satyagrahis (hunger strikers) were reported to have been in bad shape.
March 30, Jantar Mantar
March 30, Jantar Mantar
March 29, Ashraf Bee
March 29, Bano Bee
Munne Kahn against arrest
Arundhati Roy at Narmada demonstration
Arundhati Roy
Police at Narmada protest
The action by the government, apparently on direct order of the Prime Minister, is an intolerable blow against individual freedom in a country whose own national freedom was won largely by the hunger strikes and the non-violent protests of Mahatma Gandhi.
It seems the politics of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, and the welfare of giant corporations that (fleetingly) rule the earth and fill politicians' pockets, are closer to the heart of the Indian Prime Minister than his own people.
The freedom of all of us is challenged and insulted by this action. They will be coming for us next. And after that, for you.