[DEBATE] : CDDB 27 : THE CURRENTS OF HISTORY, THE CHALLENGE FOR MOVEMENTS : MAKING THE WIND BLOW

[Jai Sen]

>From Kathmandu, Wednesday, April 26, 2006
 
PLEASE SEND ON
 
 
CACIM DELHI DEMOS BULLETIN / CDDB 27 :
THE CURRENTS OF HISTORY, THE CHALLENGE FOR MOVEMENTS : MAKING THE WIND BLOW
 
Even as revolution takes place here in Nepal, the game of passing the buck
continues in India ­ just as it did here in Nepal, for so many years, but
which the people of this country have now made clear, to the political
parties as much as to the king, that they will not accept any more...  Maybe
there are things that movements in India can learn from the Nepali
experience.  And because this is so, no wonder the government of India is so
wary of what is happening here ­ though even in this case, and just as in
the case of the Bhopal and Narmada struggles and tragedies, its leadership
is so shamelessly shifting its position each day, sensing which way the wind
is blowing.
 
The NBA continues to expose the Sardar Sarovar Project and the manner in
which it has been and is continuing to be implemented, in a situation where
the lives and homes of 40,000 families are today on the anvil.  But is the
Supreme Court, that self-anointed supreme arbiter of conscience in the
country, which, in this garb, is determining and directing so much public
policy in India today, listening ?  Does it have the strength to do so ?
 
The next hearing of the Narmada case is on May 1, only a few days away now.
Let¹s see whether they are willing to take on board not only the
recommendations, even if on a split vote, of the government¹s fact-finding
mission (the so-called GoM / Group of Ministers; se earlier issues of CDDB)
­ that further raising of the dam height should be stopped -, but also the
evidence that is emerging from the valley in this meanwhile.  The political
leadership of the country clearly does not have the vision or moral strength
to do so.
 
And in BhopalŠ as ever, the mask is once again taken off.
 
The increasingly militant struggle by the working and labouring poor for a
place to live in Delhi, the capital of India, also continues.  But it is
from here that a call has come again (see item 5), even after the Bhopal and
Narmada movements have left Jantar Mantar, for looking to see how movements
in the country can bring their struggles onto the same canvas. Their issues
might seem very different on the ground, but perhaps they, even now, need to
take a step back to see whether they are not, after all, all in the same
boat, and being swept along by the same current.
 
This time, are the other movements listening ?  And their supporters ?
 
The national rally that has been called in New Delhi day after tomorrow, on
April 28, by supporters of the Narmada movement, should not be left simply
as a protest rally and a candle light vigil ­ important as these are, as
symbolic actions.  The opportunity needs to be used as a time also for
careful thought, and for planning ahead.  We all, and most especially the
victims of these and other tragedies, need much more than symbolic actions.
Movements must learn how to make the wind blow.
 
            Jai Sen, for CACIM
 
IN THIS ISSUE OF CDDB :
 
[1]            National Rally Against Forced Evictions And Dispossession
(April 25/26)
Narmada :
[2]            Oversight Committee Overlooks NWDT, SC Ruling: Why Refer to
GRA of MP Only: R&R Norms Already Violated: Stopping SSP Work is Only Option
/ NBA Demands Clarifications From PM (April 26)
[3]            Pol-Khol Yatra launched from Indore: Nimad exposes claims of
resettlement, benefits: People appeal to save fertile land (April 26)
Bhopal :
[4]            The mask is truly off. It's now absolutely clear whose hand
was operating Manmohan Singh last week (April 25/26)
Delhi :
[5]            Sajha Manch Update 3 : Delhi actions / Mumbai Consultation on
the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission / Jantar Mantar and the
challenge for movements of being on the same canvas (April 24)
 
Note : All back issues of this Bulletin (the CACIM Delhi Demos Bulletin),
number 0 onwards, are available @ :
http://www.cacim.net/twiki/tiki-view_articles.php?type=article&topic=1
<http://www.cacim.net/twiki/tiki-view_articles.php?type=article&amp;topic=1>
____________________________
 
[1]
On 25.4.06 11:53am, "Shivani Chaudhry" <schaudhry at hic-sarp.org> wrote, and
on 26.4.06 2:07 pm, "LOKAYAN" <lokayan at vsnl.com> wrote:

NATIONAL RALLY AGAINST FORCED EVICTIONS AND DISPOSSESSION
Friday 28th April
11 AM
Rajghat to Rashtrapati Bhavan,
New Delhi

 
CANDLE  LIGHT  VIGIL
Sunday 30th April
6:30 PM
Jantar Mantar 

The violent and forced eviction of people from their natural habitat and
homes, be it in the Narmada Valley, the slums of Mumbai or Delhi, or the
adivasi areas of Orissa, is a matter of increasing alarm and worry.  It
seems to be happening in a more and more systematic, calculated and sinister
way. The government is clearly promoting this violent neoliberal paradigm of
development at the cost of its people.

We cannot remain silent any more. We will NOT tolerate this violation of
democracy and human rights any more.

Peoples' movements and struggles from across the country must come together
and unite forces to fight this battle against injustice.

Join the National Rally on 28th April to raise a collective voice: NO MORE
FORCED EVICTIONS!!!! NO MORE SLUM DEMOLITIONS!!! NO MORE DISPOSSESSION OF
PEOPLE FROM THEIR HOMES, LANDS AND LIVELIHOODS!!!

Come light a candle on 30th April at Jantar Mantar to express your
solidarity with people's struggles for their rights.

>From Narmada to Mumbai, from Delhi to Orissa... our struggle is ONE.

This is a critical issue that concerns each one of us. Democracy is at
stake. 

We must unite to speak truth to power!! The time is NOW!!

PLEASE BE THERE!!! PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW IN
DELHI!

in solidarity,

Delhi Solidarity Group for the NBA
 
For further information Please Contact :
9868200316, 9818205234, 9313053093, 9818030423, 20506929, 29232515

___________________

[2]
 
On 26.4.06 10:10am, "Sanjay Sangvai" <sanjsang at gmail.com> wrote:
 
NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
58, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Badwani, M.P. ­451551 (07290-222464)
B-13, Shivam Flats, Ellora Park, Baroda, Guj ­390007 (0265-2282232)
Press Note/ April 26, 2006
 
OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE OVERLOOKS NWDT, SC RULING: WHY REFER TO GRA OF MP ONLY:
R&R NORMS ALREADY VIOLATED: STOPPING SSP WORK IS ONLY OPTION
  
NBA Demands Clarifications From PM
 
We are puzzled as to how and why the Prime Minister of India has set up a
three-member panel of Sardar Sarovar Project relief and rehabilitation
oversight committee. It is unbecoming of the Prime Minister to unilaterally
appoint such committee without consulting the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA),
that too after the indefinite fast of 20 days by the main activists, which
triggered off the subsequent developments regarding the dam. It is also
curious that the Prime Minister has refused to intervene to protect the
lives of the people when the Review Committee of Narmada Control Authority
(RCNCA) recommended the suspension of the dam work. At that time he left the
matter for the Supreme Court, and when the Court has warned about the
possibility of staying the dam work, if the resettlement is not
satisfactory, Prime Minister¹s office springs into action.
 
The Committee is supposed to assess the resettlement work and give
suggestions in accordance with the provisions of the Narmada Water Dispute
Tribunal (NWDT) has stipulated and subsequently the Supreme Court verdicts,
within three months, till July 2006.
 
However, by this action, he only reaffirmed the failure of the resettlement.
The terms of references (TOR), of this Oversight Group, as was published by
the PIB, is contrary to what the Narmada Water Dispute Tribunal (NWDT) has
stipulated and subsequently the Supreme Court had endorsed in October 2000
and March 2005.
 
Accordingly, the resettlement and rehabilitation be completed at least 6
months before the submergence and the raising of the corresponding dam
height. So the Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) of those affected by
the height of 122 meters of dam height should have been given the cultivable
land and house plot one year before the submergence and the entire
resettlement should have been completed 6 months before the submergence,
that is by December 2005. The Special Oversight Committee is expected to
assess the situation, give suggestions regarding the proper ways of
resettlement within three months, that is till July 2006. This is directly
contrary to and violation of the NWDT provisions and Court rulings. It
admits that the work of resettlement below the height of 122 meters is not
complete. The first thing, before constitution of any such committee, would
have been to stop the work on the dam, before such committee starts working
to give suggestions etc.
 
The Committee has been asked to the see whether the oustees were offered the
alternative land or not and whether those who have rejected the land have
done so voluntarily or not. We are not sure what is the measure of such
'voluntary' rejection and what the government wants to drive at.
 
Moreover the Special Committee has to give suggestions regarding Madhya
Pradesh resettlement on the basis of the NWDT provisions, Supreme Court
rulings and on the basis of the decisions of the of the Madhya Pradesh
Grievance Redressal Authority (GRA). It must be remembered that the GRA has
to give decisions regarding the resettlement only according to the NWDT
provisions and this is the jurisdiction of its work. In its ruling in March
2005, the Supreme Court has rejected with adverse comments the decisions
taken by the Madhya Pradesh GRA regarding discrimination between the oustees
affected by temporary and permanent submergence. The Madhya Pradesh GRA also
accepted the sate government's policy of giving cash compensation in lieu of
the land-based rehabilitation, which was termed as illegal in the meetings
of the Narmada Control Authority (NCA) till September 2005. However, it is
curious that the Prime Minister's announcement does not mention the GRAs of
Maharashtra and Gujarat, but reefers specifically to the GRA of Madhya
Pradesh.
 
The Narmada Bachao Andolan demands the clarification on these and other
relevant issues from the Prime Minister. We still insist that the Prime
Minister or any Court of justice his duty-bound by law and Constitution that
the work on the dam could not be irreversibly pushed ahead, which would
submerge the homes, farms and rights of thousands and thousands of tribals
and farmers. The work on the dam must be immediately stopped and the all the
affected families must be ensured full and just rehabilitation in a time
bound manner.
 
Medha Patkar
_______________________
 
[3]
 
On 26.4.06 10:10am, "Sanjay Sangvai" <sanjsang at gmail.com> wrote:
 
NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
58, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Badwani, M.P. ­451551 (07290-222464)
B-13, Shivam Flats, Ellora Park, Baroda, Guj ­390007 (0265-2282232)
Press Note/ April 26, 2006
 
POL-KHOL YATRA LAUNCHED FROM INDORE: NIMAD EXPOSES CLAIMS OF RESETTLEMENT,
BENEFITS: PEOPLE APPEAL TO SAVE FERTILE LAND
 
Hundreds of villagers, along with the supporters from many parts of India
have launched the Pol-Khol Yatra (Exposé March), on Tuesday, April 25, to
highlight the enormous incongruity between the government's claims regarding
the displacement and resettlement, the benefits and costs of the Sardar
Sarovar Project (SSP).
 
Along with the representatives of scores of organizations from all over
India, prominent persons including Social activists Sandeep Pandey, peasant
leader Dr. Sunilam, and educationist Dr. Anil Sadgopal have along with Medha
Patkar and Mohanbhai, Rayjibhai of Narmada Bachao Andolan, waved the blue
Narmada flag launching of Yatra in the morning from Indore. Activists of the
organizations from various places from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya
Pradesh, Jharkhand, U.P. and from Gujarat are participating in the Yatra.
 
While launching the Yatra, Medha Patkar reproached the government about its
stance on the rights of tribals and farmers and their livelihood. She
wondered, "Though over 10,000 families affected by the SSP have been given
land-based resettlement due to the NBA's struggle during the last 30 years ­
the largest ever resettlement with land in Independent India ­ there are
about 40,000 families still remaining to be resettled. And the Central
government had claimed to resettle them all within three months!".
 
She reminded that the submergence in the valley due to the height of 122
meters would destroy the homes, fertile farms and livelihoods of over 35,000
families of the most ancient human settlement in Asia, and will damage to
the letter and spirit of law, Constitution and the humanity.
 
The Madhya Pradesh MLA and farmer leader, Dr. Sunilam castigated the Madhya
Pradesh Chief Minister of sacrificing the lives of peasants from his own
state for the sake of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's interests. Dr.
Sadgopal pointed out that NBA is not only a struggle for resettlement, but
for the true development. Bhagwanhbai, the proud farmer from Nimad, made a
moving appeal to the nation to save their villages, fertile lands and the
valley, which he claimed, were also parts of this nation. Rayjibhai,
displaced from Gadher in Gujarat to the resettlement site Parveta in
Gujarat, told that the Gujarat government has been treating the oustees of
their own state like dirt. "Sardar Sarovar might be life-line of politicians
and bureaucrats but it is a death noose for the oustees", he said. Gujarat
organizations too are participating in the Yatra.
 
In the evening, the Yatra reached Khalghat, where hundreds of villagers
welcomed and showed the participants the evidences of the fraudulent claims
of resettlement by the Government of M.P. The Yatra went through the fertile
tracts of Chhota Barda and Pipri and the affectionate welcome from the
peasants of this nation. That was the first stay of the Yatra.
 
Sanjay Sangvai          Rakesh Dewan               Ashish Mandloi
 
____________________________
 
[4]
 
On 25.4.06 8:14 pm, "tim edwards" <tim at lifecycle.demon.co.uk> wrote, and on
26.4.06 9:46am, "Priya Ranjan" <priya at aidindia.org> wrote:
 
Bhopal liabilities key to US-India trade deals
 
THE MASK IS TRULY OFF. IT'S NOW ABSOLUTELY CLEAR WHOSE HAND WAS OPERATING
MANMOHAN SINGH LAST WEEK:
 
[CDDB Note to readers : In the multicultural world that we live in today,
don't be confused by the fact that the Deputy US Trade Representative quoted
here, commenting on US-India relations and also the Bhopal situation,
happens to be have such an ŒIndian¹ name, Karan Bhatia.]
 
³At the same time, Bhatia said USTR was aware that many American companies
have liability and insurance concerns about doing business in India after
the 1984 gas leak at a Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, which killed an
estimated 3,800 people and disabled thousands more.
 
"We've raised those concerns with the Indians. I'm hoping that they will be
addressed to the satisfaction of our companies ...," he said. "At the end of
the day, India has worked very hard for this deal and ... I would assume is
not going to want their own domestic corporate laws to stand in the way of
them actually benefiting meaningfully." '
?
U.S. excited by India trade, despite WTO woes
<http://news.moneycontrol.com/india/news/business/usexcitedbyindiatradedespi
tewtowoes/resultsviewsipomfinsurancetaxnriinterviewsceocommentspressreleases
/market/stocks/article/1531/999999>
 
By Doug Palmer
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States expects economic ties with India to
grow rapidly in the new few years, despite frustration that New Delhi has
not been more helpful in world trade talks, a top U.S. trade official said
on Monday.
 
A landmark civil nuclear agreement, which still must be approved by
Congress, "is a crucial component in moving the relationship to the next
level," Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Karan Bhatia said in an interview.
 
Although the deal, which provides India with U.S. nuclear technology --
including reactors and nuclear fuels -- is controversial with some members
of Congress, Bhatia said he expected it to be approved. "I think there is
sufficient momentum behind this. I think everybody recognizes the important
role that this deal plays in our relationship with India," he said.
 
U.S.-India trade totaled about .76 billion last year, less than one-tenth of
the 5.3 billion in trade between the United States and China.
"We should have a very substantial economic relationship with India and
although we're getting there, we're not there yet," Bhatia said.
"We need to do more to grow the relationship."
 
The United States and India recently set a goal of doubling trade within
three years and conditions are ripe for investment between the two countries
"to take off," he added.
 
Major Indian companies like the Tata conglomerate and drug manufacturer
Ranbaxy already have invested the U.S. market and many small and
medium-sized Indian companies are following their lead, Bhatia said.
 
"You're also seeing American companies obviously look at India as an
attractive investment opportunity. You're looking at 1.1 billion people, a
fast-growing middle class."
 
NUCLEAR DEAL
The nuclear deal opens the door for U.S. companies to help India meet its
fast-growing energy needs and should have positive spillover effects in
other sectors.
 
"I ... think you're going to see it build a level of confidence in
high-technology trade that will lead to greater U.S. exports and investment
there," he said.
 
At the same time, Bhatia said USTR was aware that many American companies
have liability and insurance concerns about doing business in India after
the 1984 gas leak at a Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, which killed an
estimated 3,800 people and disabled thousands more.
 
"We've raised those concerns with the Indians. I'm hoping that they will be
addressed to the satisfaction of our companies ...," he said. "At the end of
the day, India has worked very hard for this deal and ... I would assume is
not going to want their own domestic corporate laws to stand in the way of
them actually benefiting meaningfully."
 
But many U.S. business leaders believe India is playing a negative role in
world trade talks by insisting that developing nations be allowed to block
imports, while developed countries open their markets to more foreign goods.
 
Bhatia said he agreed that India, along with many other leading developing
countries, needs to "be more forthcoming in the current round."
 
While it is understandable New Delhi is worried about hundreds of millions
of farmers who depend upon agriculture, a new world trade pact would open
new markets for Indian service companies and manufacturers, he said.
 
-- 
Your voice counts!!
Support Narmada Dam survivors! <http://one.aidindia.org/narmada>
Support the police firing survivors at Gangavaram!
<http://petitions.aidindia.org/gangavaram>
Show your solidarity with women of Manipur in fighting rapes!
<http://one.aidindia.org/manipur>
Support Bhopal's Demand for Justice and Dignity by Sending a FREE FAX to the
Indian Government! 
<http://www.studentsforbhopal.org/FaxAction/fax_action.php>
 
____________________________
 
[5]
 
On 25.4.06 4:56 pm, "Hazards Centre" <haz_cen at vsnl.net> wrote:
 
Sajha Manch Update (3)
April 24, 2006


DELHI ACTIONS / MUMBAI CONSULTATION ON THE JAWAHARLAL NEHRU NATIONAL URBAN
RENEWAL MISSION / JANTAR MANTAR AND THE CHALLENGE OF BEING ON THE SAME
CANVAS

Delhi actions :
 
The last update (2) of April 6 had presented news of the Nagla Machi
demolitions and the concerted effort to try and save it. On April 7, members
of the Manch stormed the office of the Vice-Chairman, Delhi Development
Authority to try and get an assurance from him of proper and adequate
resettlement. Although the siege succeeded in paralysing work at DDA for
over two hours and the Vice-Chairman had to finally meet a delegation, he
and his officers refused to give any specific assurances other than those of
speedy and nearby resettlement. Subsequently, Banuwal Nagar was demolished
on April 10 and two settlements at Bhatti Mines are currently being razed to
the ground. News has also come in of demolitions at Mayur Vihar and Yamuna
Pushta, while settlements in Vikaspuri have received notice of demolition.
The Sajha Manch has clearly failed to prevent these demolitions, but a
somewhat consolation achievement has been that the MCD and DDA have been
pressurised to put neglected families on the list of those entitled to
resettlement, most people have got alternative plots, and they have been
allowed to move together and peacefully so that their possessions are not
destroyed and some community security remains at the new site. Some relief
has also been provided in the interim period by constituent members of the
Manch in the form of free community kitchens and support.

The other issue that is emerging (as mentioned in the last Update), largely
because of the agitation of shopkeepers and traders, is the possibility of a
Bill in Parliament next month to put an end to all demolitions and sealing
for a period of one year until the new Master Plan is in place with mixed
land use provisions. The Sajha Manch has been assured by at least two
Ministers that the demolition of slums will also figure in this or another
Bill, but the affidavit filed by the Union Govt. in the Supreme Court, while
citing data from Sajha Manch Document regarding the non-construction of
authorised commercial space, asked for protection of only those illegal
constructions that are on private land. A similar assurance has been given
by the Urban Development Minister to the Jan Chetna Manch led by Shri V P
Singh. Hence, pressure has to be maintained to put the issue of demolition
of slums in the Bill in proper perspective, as part of a critique of the
failure of government to provide adequate housing. The Sajha Manch has been
invited to suggest a possible Bill and work is going on to frame a Right to
Shelter Act, which will be circulated widely for comments later this week.
The basic idea is to locate Shelter within the Constitutional Right to Life
as well as Directive Principles which mandate it as a ³public purpose² and
to argue for complete cessation of demolition and eviction until alternative
livelihoods and housing with services have been provided. This should,
therefore, not only address the concerns of the Delhi slums, but of urban
and rural settlements facing eviction everywhere.
 
The monthly meeting of the Manch took place on April 8 and discussed both
the processes of Œdemolition¹, as seen in the evictions of slum dwellers and
the closure of shops and other forms of livelihood, as well as those of
Œconstruction¹, as observed in the UNDP project for strategising for the
urban poor ­ of which the Manch is a part. Some of the elements of a
strategy that emerged from the discussion were: (a) exploring legal avenues
to challenge the encroachment by the rich (Radha Swami Ashram on the Ridge
at Bhatti) and the non-provision of promised facilities to the poor
(cooperative housing at Banuwal Nagar); (b) delegations meeting MLAs and MPs
in different parts of Delhi to build pressure for a Bill to stop
demolitions; (c) promoting a public debate on a Right to Shelter Bill that
can be presented to the Union Government for consideration before Parliament
reconvenes; (d) lobbying with the UPA Government and its Left allies for the
implementation of the CMP (as a follow-up to the 21st march rally); and (e)
organising a national seminar to highlight the anti-poor and anti-labour
nature of Court judgements. In addition, the issue of building larger
alliances around these themes was discussed and earmarked for a more
detailed discussion during a proposed one-day workshop on May 6, that would
also deliberate on the kind of network the Manch should be.
 
Mumbai Consultation on the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission :
 
On April 15 and 16, the Hazards Centre and Committee for the Right to
Housing organised a two-day consultation at Mumbai on the Jawaharlal Nehru
National Urban Renewal Mission, which was attended by several members of the
Sajha Manch, as well as delegates from 16 other cities and towns. The
discussions focussed on a critique of the JNNURM, as well as a consideration
of what was happening in urban areas within the context of globalisation and
liberalisation. This illustrated the common pattern of commercialisation of
land, privatisation of services, exclusion of the poor, and undermining of
democratic governance. The five thematic questions that emerged underlined
the need to (i) define new forms of ³participation² and ³mobilisation² (as
against those defined by the mainstream discourse); (ii) balance concepts of
³self-help² against ³self-assertion² (as part of genuine democracy); (iii)
build alliances across sectors and issues (economic, political, social, and
cultural); (iv) explore notions of ³sustainability² and ³technology² (as
manifested in the people¹s struggle for livelihoods and shelter); and (v)
resolve the issue of growing violence (within and between nations, classes,
castes, gender, ethnic and religious groups ­ all catalysed by the global
competition for control over resources). Regional consultations have now
been planned in Jamshedpur, Jaipur, Nashik, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and
Varanasi to debate these questions further.


Jantar Mantar and the challenge for movements of being on the same canvas :
 
The Jantar Mantar is quieter now that the Narmada and Bhopal demonstrators
have packed up and gone, so the battle appears to be over. But the war
continues in many subtle ways. While the issue of demolitions of lives and
livelihoods is still alive all over Delhi, the space around Jantar Mantar is
still occupied by other issues, other demonstrators, and other concerns. The
challenge before many of us is how to be part of the combined effort to
bring all these on the same canvas to build solidarity across all the
sections struggling against global (and local) forces of exploitation and
subjugation. One of the key issues facing the struggle is the gradual
dismantling of democratic institutions, including those of the judiciary,
the media, and the legislature, which are solely focusing on the theme of
the ³world class² city that caters to tourism, conventions, sport, and
commerce, without any consideration for the real needs of the citizens. The
change from manufacturing to services, the growing informal sector, the
commandeering of all resources in the name of beautification, the massive
increase in prices of land, housing, and all necessary commodities, the
growth of a middle-class consumerist and individualistic culture, and the
marginalisation of the poor are all part of this global theme. This debate
will continue and, as usual, we ask for your support, suggestions, and
comments to help in carrying it further.

Sajha Manch
 
 
________________________________________________
CACIM ­ India Institute for Critical Action : Centre in Movement
A-3 Defence Colony, New Delhi 110 024, India
Ph            91-11-4155 1521, 2433 2451
Eml          cacim at cacim.net
Web         www.cacim.net <http://www.cacim.net>