THE DAM AND THE DAMNED

THE DAM AND THE DAMNED



The dam is the Narmada dam and the damned are the people the damn will displace.

By now it has become an old controversy.

But more so it is a typical example of government apathy and ineffectiveness of the bureaucracy.

The overall objective of the Narmada Dam is to bring power to the parched lands of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat by setting up a dam across the Narmada River thus forming a reservoir. Excess water will be stored during the monsoon and gradually released during the lean season.

The objective is certainly very noble and worth lauding.

Setting up a dam will mean a lake will be formed to store the monsoon rain. The lake will submerge a large tract of land thereby displacing a large population as well as fauna and flora.

The displaced will naturally have to be compensated for loss in livelihood, of dwelling and farming land, of their traditional occupation and most of all their home and hearth.

Common sense demands that the affected population should be resettled properly and then asked to vacate their earlier land and homestead. It is also necessary to ensure that the people are rehabilitated in such a way that they can earn a decent income to at least support their current lifestyle.

Generally the affected are adivasis who are accustomed to their own cultures and ways of life. The Authorities are responsible for carrying out the changes with minimum inconveniences.

But no. This is where the catch lies.

The unfortunate people are paid a pittance and asked to clear out of their traditional homes. In fact they are thrown out and left to fend for themselves. Then there are the corrupt officials who insist on a cut before any payment is made. Such situations always attract a large number of politicians, who in the garb of do-gooders try to fish in troubled waters; thus increasing the miseries of the unfortunate people.

It is for these unfortunates the Medha Patkar, the well-known Social Activist, was fasting unto death to bring their plight to the attention of the Government. The later had relented. At this juncture the popular actor Amir Khan publicly threw his support behind the unfortunate victims of Narmada Dam.

This is when there was an explosion. Some groups saw this as a first class opportunity to earn some political mileage, as well as create trouble. And who should lead the mob but the infamous Narendra Modi, presently Chief Minister of Gujarat. Mr. Modi, the Leader of the pogroms against the Muslims during the Gujarat Riots. First he has now threatened to go on a hunger strike on the bank of Sabarmati. Secondly the mobs prevent the screening of Rang De Basanti, a current hit movie of Amir Khan. The same mob rampage the halls where the movie was being screened.

A daylong bandh has also been announced.

Why? Because the Modi gang wants more Narmada water at the cost of lives of some unfortunates whose only demand is rehabilitation.

Truly the dam has created the damned.