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Even as the Indian government okays six more Special Economic Zones (SEZs), people’s movements all over the country are mobilising support against land acquisitions in rural areas

Civil society action against government acquisition of land in rural areas is gathering steam across India in the lead-up to the country’s Independence Day on August 15. In Maharashtra, an anti-Special Economic Zones (SEZ) protest has been planned by the Pune-based Anti-Globalisation Committee, and a statewide protest against land grabs has kicked off in Rajasthan.

On August 8 the Anti-Globalisation Committee, which has been opposing Reliance Industries’ Navi Mumbai SEZ, announced that it would reach out to college students to generate opinion against SEZs through a slew of events leading up to Independence Day on August 15.

Sampat Kale, convener of the committee, said it wanted urban people and students to know more about the issues surrounding SEZs, like the government’s fraudulent acquisition of farmers’ land without their permission. “We are approaching colleges in Pune and will have lectures and documentary shows on SEZs and the issue of globalization,” Kale said.

Meanwhile, on August 11, N D Patil, senior leader of the Peasants and Workers’ Party (PWP), addressed people at Pabal, in Pune’s Shirur taluka. This was followed by a talk by Vandana Shiva, one of India’s leading environmentalists.

Activist Suniti S R explained that while the population growth rate in some western countries was negative, India’s population was still increasing and demand for food would continue to rise. “We want sufficient farmland for agriculture, otherwise the money we earn from globalisation will have to be spent on importing food items,” she said. “The Centre is also in favour of importing wheat rather than promoting production in India. The farmers are in trouble because of inadequate pricing of produce. By implementing SEZs, it is adding insult to injury.”

Growing public unease over SEZs as well as the acquisition of community land for cultivation of bio-fuel crops manifested itself in a mass padayatra (rally) in Rajasthan on August Kranti Diwas (August 9, the day that marks the Quit India Movement protest against British rule).

The Jan Adhikar Yatra (People’s Rights Rally), planned by various activist groups under the Rozgar Evum Suchana Ka Adhikar Abhiyan banner (Campaign for Employment and Right to Information), will comprise four groups beginning a walkathon from Alwar, Ajmer, Tonk and Sikar in Rajasthan -- representing north, south, east and west -- to arrive at the state capital Jaipur on August 21 and converge in a sit-in ( dharna) until August 26.

All along the route, the participants will spread awareness among the people on various related issues, collect and disseminate data, and generate public opinion on the manner in which policies and programmes are being implemented without consulting the people, in the case of SEZs. Also, the country’s bio-diesel policy and a proposed amendment to the Rajasthan Tenancy Act that will drop Section 42 B which guards the exclusive land rights of scheduled castes and tribes.

“We want answers from all political parties on land rights of the people, their livelihood avenues and their stake in the democratic decision-making process,” said Magsaysay award winner Aruna Roy, talking to the media.

Besides SEZs, the other burning issue for rural people in India is the threat from cultivation of jatropha -- the plant used to produce bio-diesel. “Jatropha is being introduced in a large area of Rajasthan without any consultations with the people. People who hold documents for the land they are occupying are thrown out even without issuing notices,” says Sawai Singh, an activist. “Attempts at reclaiming common land will lead to serious conflicts in the villages,” he warns.

Dalit and adivasi groups are also worried about a proposed amendment to the Rajasthan Tenancy Act that will facilitate the sale of land belonging to them to non-SC/STs. This is said to be part of the move to make land available for SEZs and jatropha plantation. “We are worried about the move, as we have been told that the proposed amendment will be taken up in the assembly on the last day of the coming session, and passed without any debate,” says a spokesperson.

Source: InfoChange