The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Unfortunate

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Tuesday, Apr 11, 2006

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Unfortunate

It is unfortunate that the police have registered a case of attempted suicide against NBA leader Medha Patkar. By ignoring her demand for resettlement and rehabilitation of families displaced by the Sardar Sarovar project, and seeking to isolate her, the Government has dishonoured Gandhi's mantra of non-violence and peaceful protest in his own nation.

Manoj Kumar Pandey,
New Delhi

The attempted suicide charge smacks of insensitivity. Suicide is an impulsive and instant act. Fasting is a noble act undertaken with scope to break it once the demand is met or at least a promise to meet it is made. Were Mahatma Gandhi's fasts attempts to commit suicide?

Valampuri Somanathan,
Chennai

The Government, it seems, has demonstrated its concern for Ms. Patkar by forcibly removing her to hospital and registering a case against her. Does she deserve this? What does the Government intend to do with those who misrepresented facts at the Narmada Control Authority on the rehabilitation of the displaced? Is this development with a human face?

M. Muthukrishnan,
Bangalore

The report that students have expressed solidarity with Ms. Patkar and some have even gone on fast (April 8) is heartening. The student community must participate actively in peaceful struggles to root out corruption.

Diptendu Chakraborty,
Olive Avenue, Toronto

The manner in which the state is trying to force Ms. Patkar into breaking her fast is exactly how the British forces used to react to those who went on hunger strikes to press their demands. It makes more sense to give a hearing to desperate voices rather than force them to get our attention by such protests. As citizens of India, we are ashamed that such things should happen. We share Ms. Patkar's concern that the rich should not treat the poor unfairly. She has done a great service to them by taking their side against the mighty and powerful politicians, who stand exposed.

J. Koshy,
New Delhi

What comes across in Ms. Patkar's dedication to the cause of the disadvantaged is a reminder of the relevance of Gandhian ways of protest. In times when the only dialect spoken and listened to is violence, she has rekindled the hopes of those ordained shelterless. They are not mere numbers but breathing beings. How about contrasting their plight with that of the politicians who continue to occupy government accommodation despite having lost elections, and hence the entitlement to the accommodation?

Gaurav Sobti,
Ambala, Haryana

The spirited manner in which Ms. Patkar has fought shows there are better ways than naxalism to fight against the system. Her protest is taking the shape of a movement despite police intervention. We really need role models like Ms. Patkar. Thanks to The Hindu for the fantastic coverage given to her struggle.

Vijay Misra,
Agra, U.P.

Thanks to The Hindu for bringing to limelight the issues regarding NBA and Ms. Patkar's fast. She is fighting for a cause that is a matter of life and death for over 20000 families. Any development, which destroys the life of even one human being, is unacceptable. We cannot argue that some persons have to suffer if the nation is to progress. If the displacement of some is agreed to for the progress of many `others,' the `others' will have no moral ground to fight for their rights when they are sacrificed for another development programme.

N.S. Roy,
New Delhi

To neglect the rehabilitation of the displaced would amount to nothing but murder of humanity and justice. Ms. Patkar's crusade is fully justified.

Thadigiri Potha Raju,
Karimnagar, A.P.

I wish to convey my deep admiration for your coverage of the issue. In olden days, when rulers built forts, palaces and dams, they performed the odd human sacrifice. Modern-day governments seem to sacrifice the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people to please the elites.

Kishore Saint,
Udaipur, Rajasthan

Ms. Patkar is right in protesting against the most serious lapse of the government agencies in rehabilitating the displaced. However, I am against her opposition to raise the height of the dam if that has the technical and environment clearance.

K. Damodaran,
Thiruvananthapuram

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