Medha Patkar's 22-Hour Jal Satyagraha in Barwani: Key Issues Explained

Bhopal – In Barwani, Madhya Pradesh, social activist Medha Patkar, leading the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), has once again launched a Jal Satyagraha (water protest) against the rising water levels of the Sardar Sarovar Dam and the problems faced by displaced villagers. The protest has been ongoing since Saturday in Kasrawad village of Barwani district, where Patkar and the protesters have been standing in the waters of the Narmada River for the past 22 hours. The main demands of the protest include lowering the dam's water level and the full rehabilitation of displaced families.

Medha Patkar has accused authorities of illegally raising the water level of the Sardar Sarovar Dam, causing the surrounding villages to flood, destroying homes, farmland, and livelihoods. She pointed out that the water level has now reached 136 meters, while it should have been controlled and maintained at 122 meters. She further added that the release of water from the Omkareshwar and Indira Sagar dams has worsened the situation.

Patkar also claimed that the rules of the Central Water Commission have been violated, which has led to the displacement of thousands of villagers in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. She highlighted that during last year's monsoon, 170 villages were similarly affected, and their rehabilitation is still incomplete.

During the Jal Satyagraha, Barwani MLA Rajan Mandloi met with the protesters and affected villagers late at night to hear their grievances. He assured them that he would bring their issues to the government's attention for prompt action.

Demand for Rehabilitation Intensifies

Medha Patkar emphasized that the Jal Satyagraha will continue until the displaced families are fully rehabilitated and the gates of the Sardar Sarovar Dam are opened. She claimed that the failure to control the dam’s water level in time has resulted in numerous homes being submerged, severely impacting people's livelihoods. She urged the government to take concrete steps to open the dam’s gates and rehabilitate the affected areas.

The villagers participating in the Jal Satyagraha, led by Patkar, stated that they have been suffering the effects of displacement for many years, but the promises made by the government remain unfulfilled. Many displaced families are still waiting for proper rehabilitation. The farmers’ lands have been submerged, cutting off their sources of income.

The villagers expressed that despite repeated assurances from the administration, no ground-level solutions have been implemented to address their problems. Last year’s rising water levels destroyed their farmland, and this year, the same situation is repeating itself.

Medha Patkar stated that it is the responsibility of the Narmada Control Authority and the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited to regulate the water levels and rehabilitate the displaced people. She demanded immediate government intervention to safeguard the rights of the displaced families.

The protesting villagers, along with Patkar and other members of the Narmada Bachao Andolan, have vowed to continue the Jal Satyagraha until their demands are met. They assert that this protest is not only about opening the gates of the dam but also a fight for justice and constitutional rights for the displaced families.