Mysore: Activist Medha Patkar was in Mysuru on Tuesday to extend her support to the Badanawal Satyagraha.
Speaking to media persons during her stop in Mysuru, Patkar spoke about the growing agitation against the Land Acquisition Act and the plans for Smart Cities, “Do you think its okay for farmers to give up their land? What will you eat then?”
“All farmers are in the agitation against the land bill, if the farmers were willing to give up their land then what is the need for such drastic changes in the land bill? They do not have the support of the farmers,” she added.
Going on to talk about political parties Patkar said, “Parties who have previously advocated the bill are against it now, they are forced to speak out against it because their electorate is up in arms.”
She also spoke about the recent witch hunt on NGO’s by the government, saying the there is negativity directed at them with, “False blames of foreign funding.”
Also speaking at the programme, Dr. SG Vombatkere said, “The people on the ground are not looking for a messiah.”
He also expanded on how what every political party has the same agenda, “The policies being made by every government is neo-liberal and pro-corporate, therefore they are all anti-people.”
Responding to accusations of ‘five star activism’ and less support from the middle class, Medha Patkar said, “Our support from the middle class is increasing, there was the agitation for the Kali River near Karwar which got immense support from the middle class.”
“We have always supported the farmers, the adivasis and dalits. And people always raise issues.”
About Badanawal Satyagraha:
The Badanawal Satyagraha is spear headed by theatre personality and activist Prasanna. The movement’s main ideals are of sustainable living and are also part of the Handloom Satyagraha started in Karnataka in 2013.
The All India Federation of Handloom Organisations also organised a fast unto death for implementation of the Handloom Reservation Act. And now they are agitating against the sudden decision of the government to scrap/revise the Handloom Reservation Act.
As part of this Satyagraha, meetings, workshops, street performances and visual art campaigns shall be conducted all over Karnataka from March 21st onwards.
Several Padyatras (long march) shall begin from 12th April onwards, culminating at Badanawal for the National Convention for Sustainable Living on the 19th of April.
On 19th April, panchayats will be held on different aspects of sustainability throughout the day. There will also be exhibitions, sale, demonstrations and prayer meetings at the Convention.
