On the eve of India’s 70th Independence Day, the longest and most recognised people’s movement in independent India is on dock, despite it being non-violent, worked relentlessly for the tribals and farmers who are affected by the mighty Sardar Sarovar (Narmada) dam, consistently raised issues of displacement and rehabilitation, and helped country ponder over a question which sums up the ‘development debate’ – who decides who sacrifices for whose development?
32 year old Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) commemorates the Independence Day while its key activists – Medha Patkar, Dhurji Bhai, Vijay Bhai, Santu Bhai are in different jails on false cases – a price they pay for being steadfast on their demand of just rehabilitation.
Almost 2 decades after Medha composed this song, it has never been more relevant than today. A song, which makes us think about our independent India.
Can we be proud of such independence?
