India is withnessing a unique mass movement with 25 000 landless and tribal-among the poorest of India-walking since the 2 October (date of Gandhi birth) from Gwalior in the state of Madhya Pradesh, to Delhi the 28 October. The marchers are representants of the poorest states of India, as well as social activists and supporters from India and abroad. They join forces to be heard by The Indian government about rights for land, and natural resources. Many have been displaced, robbed of their traditional lands or exploited for generations and with no land, no dignity!
This is the biggest non violent march ’padyatra’ (of ghandean spirit) since the independance of India and it is an impressive sight, both by its scale and organisation. In the federal capital, they will be joined by more than 100000 people for a sit-in in front of the parlement to obtain the creation of a national land act and a justice court dedicated to solve land conflicts and land claims.
« Janadesh » (or « the people verdict») is a march organised by an indian NGO « Ekta Parishad », for the rights of the poorest to access land and essential natural resources (water, seeds...) to have the means to live and work in dignity. For this they are ready to walk with their package, eat once a day and stand the hardships of the road day and night. Ekta Parishad is a movement in the gandean spirit built more than 15 years ago on the basis of a local popular mobilisation in different indian statezs to reach a nationbal significance. It is stimulated by its leader Rajagopal and gather today in action 150000 membres, and whose actions concerns more than 10 millions people. It is today represented in 8 states of India and acts in more than 4000 villages.
I have been walking with them and withnessed an extraordinary willingness to get out of poverty by their own means. All they ask for is equal rights for land, forest and water, fair access for a place to live on and prosper.
The marchers cannot do it alone ; they need stregthening from all in India and from abroad ; They need your help! if you believe in their aim and have means to let more people know and influence decision makers. You can also write to the prime minister of India... Please support them as you can!
To know more
about ekta parishad and the march:
On janadesh 2007:
http://www.ektaparishad.org/JANADESH%20latest/main.htm
News:
http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=PWrE436WFLU
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7023369.stm
http://action.web.ca/home/narcc/events.shtml?x=105257&AA_EX_Session=5af4c33fdfc3a5227ffadd5ea01cf404
http://www.france24.com/france24Public/en/news/asia-pacific/20071003-india-farmers-protest-march-new-delhi.html
http://tvscripts.edt.reuters.com/2007-10-02/2c004c60.html
Blog of a french journaliste following the march:
http://namaskar.blog.lemonde.fr/category/janadesh-2007/page/2/
Some support organisations among others:
Peuples Solidaires et son Réseau-Solidarité (www.peuples-solidaires.org)
Frères des Hommes (www.fdh.org) ; http://www.france-fdh.org/campagnes/janadesh/janadesh2007.htm
Solidarité (www.solidarite.asso.fr)
le CRIDEV 35 (www.ritimo.org).
la Confédération Paysanne (www.confederationpaysanne.fr)
http://www.evb.ch/fr/p25013150.html?force_folder=025000502