25 to 27 April: From Indore to ’tribal and farmers’ villages in Narmada Valley.

After the 30 days sit-in and fast by the Narmada
Bachao Andolan activists in the capital, a new
chapter has been opened in respect of Sardar
Sarovar Dam. The movement has raised the issue of
the displacement and the environmental damage due
to the dam. For the last 20 years, it has
questioned all the illegal decisions by the
Government through a strong mass movement. It has
brought to light, the true story of the Narmada
Valley. The decision to increase the height of
the dam from 110.64 meters to 122 meters has
proved to benthe death sentence for the tribals,
the farmers and people residing in the valley.

This called for a strong protest which was joined
by allnfrom various people’s movements all over
the country, students, teachers, the sensitive
among the artist community to the lay person
on the street, they who have offered their help,
participation and backing. This makes it clear
that the darker side of development has come to
the light in front of right thinking, sensitive
and selfless elements of the community. That is
why they are now bent upon not only saving the
Narmada Valley but also question the
anti-democratic, non-scientific process going on
in the country in the name of
development and based on grossly misleading
facts. People are now reacting strongly to the
situation. It is now necessary to take some solid
steps. The Narmada struggle is a symbol of the
same reaction. Its a question of debate as to
what is the truth and what is only a mirage.

This can be asked in respect of all the issues in
connection with Sardar Sarovar. During the
protest in Delhi, various reports by thenstate as
well as Central Governments, figures and
affidavits, the experiences of the displaced and
the agitators have come to the lightnin front of
the country as well as the whole world. All the
three Governments concerned have to submit their
affidavits regarding
applications submitted by 48 displaced families,
to the Supreme Court within a week’s time. The
reactions of the displaced on the affidavits will
be a heard in the court on the first of May. The
court has already said that the Prime Minister is
free to take any decision or intervene in the
matter wherever he feels necessary. At the same
time, the court has made it clear that if the
rehabilitation of all the oustees upto the 122
meters is not done in letter and spirit of the
Narmada Tribunal award, then the work of the dam
can be stopped.

The Narmada Movement has now declared a Pol-Khol
Abhiyan (reveal the truth campaign). We will go
on bringing to the fore, each and every aspect of
the Sardar Sarovar story. The social as well as
environmental losses, compensation as also the
real side of the exaggerated and beautifully
painted picture about the profits also has to be
revealed. Those of our brothers and sisters who
have been termed as outsiders while they are
actually displaced in thousands have to be met in
person. It has become necessary to reveal the
real faces of all those who make baseless
accusations on us of accepting foreign funds. We
have to move in this direction on different
fronts taking with us, the like-minded. One of
the main programs in this direction will be the
Pol-Khol Yatra: 25 to 27^th April.

You are cordially invited for this Yatra. All the
friends, co-workers, youth, students, members of
various people’s movements, those displaced due
to various projects, labourers, tribals, dalits,
sensitive citizens, artists, journalists and
media persons are welcome. We invite you to the
valley. Verify the truth, find out and see for
yourselves, the Government corruption and the
atrocities, contempt of court as also the game in
the name of democracy. You may reach Indore in
the morning of 25^th April. Please let us know the
route and the time of your arrival. There will be
a meeting at Indore between 10 a.m. and 12 noon
and the ’Yatra’ will proceed to the valley
straight from there. During the three days, the
Yatra will visit villages, settlements and see
first hand, the Government’s working
style and also listen to the profit and loss story.

There will be answers to each and every question
raised on each aspect of the Narmada Movement,
its working, its resources. Your presence is
necessary for raising the issue in front of the
Government. Come and see the region which is
either already submerged or about to be
submerged; the generations old culture and the
picturesque surroundings.

You may return on 27^th night or 28^th morning from
Baroda, Indore or Khandwa. Your participation is
utmost necessary now after your important
participation and contribution on this occasion.
There will be welcome in villages, overnight stay
in the farmers’ houses, visits to tribal villages
on the banks of the river, tribal dances and
travel through the boats in the river followed by
a long march in Badwani and a torch rally. On one
side are those administrators who are bent upon
destruction in the valley and going ahead with
the dam while on the other side are the lively
villages and communities and the rich valley.
This picture is incomplete without your presence.

Your strong intervention is necessary this time
to stop the destruction without resettlement.

Please come and bring others along.

Waiting for you,

Mohanbhai Patidar, Swapna Kanera, Kamala Yadav, Medha Patkar, Ashish
Mandloi, Omprakash Yadav, Hirdaram Bharud, Chandubhai, Kailash Awasthi

NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
C/o B-13 Shivam Flats, Ellora Park, Vadodara - 390023, Gujarat
Telefax: 0265-2282232, baroda narmada.org
62, M.G Marg, Badwani, Madhya Pradesh 451551. Telefax: 07290-222464
Maitri Niwas, Tembewadi, Dhadgaon, Dist. Nandurbar, Maharashtra. Ph:
02595-220620