The Hindu : Q & A: Medha Patkar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 28, 2004

National

National - Elections 2004

Q & A: Medha Patkar

'Politics is also a kind of movement'

For 19 years, social activist Medha Patkar has led the struggle for the people affected by the controversial Sardar Sarovar Project on the Narmada river in four States. Every time elections are round the corner, there is speculation on whether she will take the plunge into electoral politics. A few years ago, she formed the National Alliance of People's Movements with other activists, against globalisation and corporatisation. From the NAPM this year has emerged the People's Political Front. She talks to Gargi Parsai on the larger issues involved in the formation of the PPF and electoral politics. Excerpts:

Why this transition from people's movements to electoral politics?

We believe that people's movements are inevitable in any democracy to keep the democratic process alive and in raising and settling the conflicts between the state and the people on people's issues. And this role of ours — we say with all humility — is as important and needs to be continued. At the same time we've always said we don't consider electoral politics as untouchable. Rather we see electoral and non-electoral politics as complementary to each other.

Why now?

It is necessary to challenge the changed culture of politics, which is criminal and communal to a large extent; which brings in not just religion but caste as a force, to carry on the game of numbers. Not only is it corporatised and corrupt, but crudely and confidently uses and misuses the resources of the country, with big industrial houses financing and controlling the parties.

We have been raising these issues through our movements but somewhere we are peripheralised. We are not allowed the necessary space for questioning.

Are you fighting to win or to just take up a challenge?

No one fights to lose. But losing and winning is the ultimate end of a process which needs to be carried on with all values, sincerity and commitment, which is the strength of people's movements. Hence the challenge is not only [in] fighting in a particular constituency but whole of the political endeavour that we are going to be in.

What will be PPF's impact when it is contesting in a few constituencies?

We are not only for the game of numbers. We see this also as a satyagraha with certain goals of transformation. So we will not start calculating our probable successes and failures only with numbers, but would rather exhibit alternative ways of not only contesting elections, but also of politics.

So what are the issues you are raising?

We question the present development paradigm which is not just consumerist but also exploitative. We will also come up with alternatives. For instance, the right to work as a fundamental right, which means that all economic politics and the choice of technology in management of resources, will necessarily have to aim at employment generation and livelihood protection. For this, it is necessary that the global capitalist forces are not allowed to influence policy-making. On the other hand, the localisation of resource management and planning processes will have to be strengthened.

What about funds?

Our fund-raising will be by going to the people. Reaching out to [the] people will be our main strategy, which of course, parties also claim they do, but they do at a huge expense.

How will you cover so many constituencies at such short notice?

Human resource is our strength. And committed activists.

Are you contesting?

The people of Rajapur, the organisations and even many party people there have invited me, no doubt, but I have not decided yet. If at all, Rajapur would not be to fight rivers inter-linking by fighting Suresh Prabhu (the sitting MP). Those kinds of projects and policies need to be fought on several fronts and levels. About my candidature I have to think of a number of factors — basically about my role to make both NAPM and PPF effective.

Why don't you contest from the Narmada Valley?

All constituencies in the Valley are reserved.

And Gujarat?

A: (laughs) Gujarat is my constituency, anyway. We are fighting [Chief Minister, Narendra] Modi. His proposed Narmada `pujan yatra' was banned.

Does this mean that you are moving away from Narmada?

Not at all. My heart is in the movement. I consider this [politics] also [as] a kind of movement. Just as we address the issues of livelihood and economic policies in our struggle, here we have to address the issues of political degradation and criminalisation and corporatisation.

What is the PPF's agenda?

We are for [a] secular agenda. We are not for allying with any party, but if any party supports the candidates emerging from [the] PPF, nothing wrong with it. We know everything cannot be achieved in one election and it is not limited to only [one] election. The process between two elections is also going to be important.

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