Signs of The Times
IN FOCUS
NBA-18jun06
From: Pradyumna S. Singh <pradyu@u.arizona.edu>
18 June Convention in Delhi
Dear Friends,
As you know, the struggle of the
Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) reached a high point in March April
with the month long dharna and hunger strike in Delhi. Despite three
activists putting their lives on the line for justice, despite the
Group of Ministers report on failed rehabilitation, and despite
scathing evidence against the lies of the MP government, both
the Supreme Court and the central and
state governments have chosen to ignore the truth and side with the
powerful pro-dam lobby thereby silently sanctioning the devastation of
the Narmada Valley and over 35,000 families.
The way Manmohan Singh and the UPA
government subverted the law and succumbed to political pressures,
shocked many. The report of the three Ministers team the first of
its kind to the Narmada valley vindicated what the NBA has been
saying about the failure of rehabilitation, but was conveniently swept
under the rug, while Manmohan Singh refused to take action or stand by
his Cabinet colleagues findings.
Worse still, the Supreme Court after
postponing its decision for two months, violated its own former orders
and gave a clean chit to the illegality and injustice being perpetuated
by the ongoing construction of the dam. The one alarming message that
emerged from the Supreme Courts order was an assurance to governments
that they could fearlessly continue
violating the law, even when such a
violation was entirely unconstitutional and jeopardized the lives and
livelihoods of thousands.
The last eyewash in this undemocratic
process was Manmohan Singhs appointment of the Oversight Group headed
by V.K. Shunglu which is merely a means to delay and deny justice
to the people. While the construction of the dam continues in violation
of the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal Award and Supreme Court orders
of 2000 and 2005, and while the Group of Ministers has already clearly
reported non-compliance with rehabilitation laws, the survey being
conducted by the Oversight Group under the auspices of the NSSO has
little purpose, apart from allowing the construction of the dam to be a
fate accompli.
The Shunglu Committee is almost done
with its survey in MP and is expected to submit its report by 30 June
2006. However, the Committees mode of operation and its survey
methodology have been highly problematic. Surveys have not been
exhaustive or comprehensive. Instead they have been carried out very
hurriedly, in few areas, and without adequate consultation with
the people. Ignoring the suggestions
of the NBA, the Committee did not visit Gujarat and Maharashtra, which
are also affected by the dam; neither did it agree to submit an interim
report of its findings.
By the time the Committee completes
its final report and by the time the Supreme Court reconvenes on 10
July to take stock of the situation, the dam would have reached 121.92
metres and, by then, the monsoon would have intensified in the Valley.
Neither the Court, nor the Oversight Group can control the rains. A
normal monsoon would spell doom to thousands of adivasi and farmer
families, would submerge their houses, fields, and villages, and would
destroy rich archeological treasures and forests.
The situation is indeed grim.
With every democratic process failing
to provide them with a just recourse, representatives of the affected
communities from the Narmada Valley will be coming to Delhi on June 18
and 19 to stage a dharna at Jantar Mantar, and to once again, raise
their voices against this ongoing injustice, perverse political
posturing, and complete failure of law and governance.
We, the Delhi Solidarity Group for
the NBA feel that the gravity of the current situation calls for a
larger discussion on the issue with civil society, social movements,
representatives of political parties, academicians, and other
supporters.
It in this context that we would like
to invite you to join us for a Convention on:
"MYTHS, LIES AND
THE NARMADA BETRAYAL"
on
Sunday 18th June 2006
10:30 am 4:00 pm
Indian Social
Institute
3rd floor auditorium
10 Lodhi Institutional Area (behind
Sai Baba Mandir), New Delhi
The day will be
structured around 3 main sessions:
10:30 11:00 am:
Inauguration
11:00 12:00 pm
FAILURE OF GOVERNANCE IN THE NARMADA
This session will include exposing
the myths and lies, with testimonies from the Valley, and interventions
by academicians and policy specialists.
The session will cover:
- the silence and games of the
government, including failed responsibility
- the denial of the Group of
Ministers report: why?
- the modus operandi of the Oversight
Group and its shortcomings
12:00 1
pm: FAILURE OF LAW AND VIOLATION OF JUSTICE
This session will reveal how the
Supreme Court orders have been flouted and how the SC has also
succumbed to political pressure in complete violation of the law. It
will also discuss the continued denial of justice not just by the
Courts, but by all government agencies, including the case of recent
evictions in Delhi.
1 2 pm:
Lunch
2 3:00 pm: THE POLITICS
OF DISPLACEMENT
The politics behind the Sardar
Sarovar dam are indeed complex and ugly. A panel of select
representatives of political parties and NBA activists will share their
views and discuss how human rights and the Constitution are violated
for meeting petty political interests, not just in the Narmada, but in
all projects involving displacement and evictions.
3:00 4:00
pm: Questions and Open Discussion
We request you to participate in this
convention and express your views on the issue, also keeping in mind
the broader implications of, and connections with, large-scale
displacement and forced evictions that are taking place all over the
country. It is important for us, more than ever before, to come
together, join forces, and develop effective strategies to
counter the anti-people and
undemocratic powers that be.
We look forward to your active
participation and support.
in solidarity,
Vijayan MJ, Shivani Chaudhry,
Rajendra Ravi, Shree Prakash (on behalf of Delhi Solidarity Group for
NBA)
For more details, please contact:
9868 114470, 9818 030423, 98682 00316, 9868 165471
