The Hindu : Murder of democracy, say students

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 05, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Murder of democracy, say students

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, FEB. 4. Raising their voice against "murder of democracy'', students, activists and concerned citizens came together on Parliament Street here today to protest against the gruesome killing of two social workers - Sarita and Mahesh Kant in Bihar - who lost their lives for "development" last month.

"Water warriors" for Shabdo village in Gaya, Sarita and Mahesh had mobilised people to revive a centuries-old canal system traditionally called the `ahar-paine', which changed the face of the village. Unfortunately, they paid for their revolutionary work with their life. The protest was an attempt to highlight their sacrifice and work and the rampant violence in Bihar, where the rule of law does not seem to exist.

"What the Government could not do with a fund of Rs. 6 crores at its disposal, they did with the active participation of the people by means of "shramdan''. Most remarkable is their work in Shabdo village where the orbit community destroyed the bunds and separated one field from another to create common lands,'' a statement issued one of the organisers INSAAF a non-government organisation stated.

While it was an occasion to mourn the loss of two committed social activists, it was also time to pledge to continue their work. The participants also alleged that the State had proved that it was incapable of creating appropriate conditions for people and undermined programmes for development.

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