The Hindu : National : Take Medha seriously, say international writers

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Saturday, Apr 08, 2006

National

National

Take Medha seriously, say international writers

Special Correspondent

"Probe complaint of tardy rehabilitation"

Scholars concerned at Medha's health "State projects not at the cost of ordinary citizens" Show political will: students' association

NEW DELHI: International writers, scholars and critics, attending a literary festival here, have expressed concern at health of the fasting Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar and said her claim of tardy rehabilitation of the Narmada dam-displaced families should be taken seriously.

In a signed statement, they said Ms. Patkar was not only an important social worker and activist but also "the type of concerned citizen who forms the backbone of any democracy."

The statement said: "Regardless of whether one is in favour of the Sardar Sarovar Project or against it, one has to stress the need for immediate and sufficient rehabilitation of the affected people. It is absolutely essential for a democracy to ensure that state projects for progress or developments are not seen or experienced as taking place at the cost of ordinary citizens."

The signatories include Tabish Khair from Denmark and Aamer Hussein from Pakistan.

The All-India Students Association and the Catholic Archdiocese of of Delhi have also expressed their solidarity.

"Reverse NCA decision"

A statement signed by 148 organisations and persons has demanded reversal of the decision of the Narmada Control Authority's decision and implement in full the Narmada tribunal award and the Supreme Court orders to resettle and rehabilitate all displaced persons at least six months before submergence.

The signatories include writers Arundhati Roy, Gita Hariharan, Praful Bidwai, Prabhat and Utsa Patnaik; CPI's Amarjeet Kaur, artiste Maya Krishna Rao, Annie Raja of the National Federation of India Women, Manojbhai of the Gandhi Peace Foundation, Mohan Rao of Jawaharlal Nehru University, Swami Agnivesh, Ram Rahman of SAHMAT, B.D. Sharma and Vandana Prasad of the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan.

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