We, the people's movements, welcome the decision of Ratan Tata and Tata Motors to withdraw their Nano Car Project from the land of Singur that belongs to the people, which is a victory of the people's movement supported by the political parties, especially the Trinamool Congress and SUCI, with other people's organizations, which supported the Krishi Jamin Raksha Committee, including NAPM, West Bengal with its allies, especially the Pachim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samithi The conflict that gets redressed with this decision after many ups and downs and threats and promises was not just between the Opposition Party and the CMP Govt. of West Bengal as Tata tried to depict, but was rather one between the state and its people. We are happy that the prime and irrigated and agricultural land of Singur would now be rightfully restored back to the hardworking rural communities.
The people's decision has ultimately over powered as against the opposite view, backed by statutory and monetary power. We wish Tata respects people's views and it will be unfortunate if Tata asserts that it has taken the decision considering only the security of its staff and allies and not that of the people of Singur – the farmers, bargadars (share croppers) and the labourers and have not conceded to the people's demands for their own livelihood security.
Even if Tatas go away to Karnataka or Gujarat or elsewhere it would behove them to follow the democratic process and seek the consent of communities and not just the State before its cars or machines enter their land and before it makes any agreement with the State. The least of corporate social responsibility demands this as a basic principle to be followed in the industrialization process, be it in the name of SEZ or other project. Only this would decide whether and how would the people choose the right kind of industries that would be employment generating, livelihood securing and environment-protecting.
Common people in the country and the would over know that the real people's issue behind the Singur struggle as also Nandigram, Nandagudi, Kakinada, Raigad, Gorai, or elsewhere was undemocratic and unjust as well as forcible occupation of people's land. It was also manipulation of people resources imposing transfer from agriculture to industry, not even of their choice. The movement cannot be said to be either against industrialization or development per say. Rather the struggles such as Singur have helped initiate a public debate on the conception of development, the planning process vis-à-vis the constitutional framework and the land acquisition as per the British law.
What is being questioned is the imposition of and undue push given to the corporate culture as against people's interest, when no consent is sought from the immediate losers, who are never listed nor are they fairly compensated or rehabilitated. The displaced and deprived therefore have and will have a right to assert their decision if the State does not follow the democratic processes. The folly and fraud of the CPM Govt. is once again exposed after Nandigram and all kinds of oppression and repression or even the allegations of sedition have failed miserably before the people's power.
There is no doubt that Mamata Baneejee has played a leading role in support of the people, who refused to give in to money, market and muscle power. We must also congratulate the intellectuals, artists and various people's organizations in West Bengal who remained with the struggle through and through with an uncompromising position coming out of a clarity on the ideology of development, which is going to be the issue of utmost priority in the coming days. Shri Gopal Krishna Gandhi the Governor of West Bengal has exhibited the role that every Governor can play in the situation of conflict or even stalemate, which must be recognized.
The self-withdrawal by Ratan Tata in spite of the CPM Govt. not taking a clear position in favour of its own people should set an example for others like the Ambanis' who are facing conflict after conflict at many places. However, following this withdrawal, the CPM and Tata together must also clear up the mess by making the occupied land free and restoring the previous land records as also compensating the losses borne by the farmers, share croppers and labourers, as per the package that was being offered. This amounting to a few crores to Rs. 1500 crores of loss as reported by TATAs would indeed bring a part of the credibility back to the State Government and the corporates both. The whole struggle of Singur with the valiant martyrdom of Rajkumar Bhul, Tapasi Malik and others has reinforced our faith in the non-violent peaceful struggles that only can save land, water, forests and aquatic or mineral wealth of the country from unjustified usurpation for profits over people.
We hope the Parliament, political parties, the various Governments, the corporate and the Judiciary take a lesson from this long drawn conflict and support a respectable way out in the situation of conflict be it in Narmada, Noida, Nandgudi or elsewhere. Singur also once again proves that everything that industries do, whether in the form of SEZ or forcible acquisition of land is not legitimate and this must hence forth be remembered by all parties. We also demand withdrawal of the proposed amendments to the proposed Land Acquisition Act, with a weak rehabilitation Bill, which equates private purpose with public purpose.
Medha Patkar Anand Mazgaonkar Mukta Srivastava P. Chennaiah
NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF PEOPLE'S MOVEMENTS
A Wing First Floor, Haji Habi Building, Naigaon Cross Road
Dadar (E), Mumbai-400 014 Ph. No-2415 0529 E-mail: napmindia@gmail.com
