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The Rediff Interview/Medha Patkar

'I'll fight to the end'

Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar on Wednesday criticised the Supreme Court judgment on the Narmada dam. In an interview to Sheela Bhatt, she said she would fight to the end, adding, ''No one can kill my strength.'' Excerpts from the interview:

What do you think of the apex court's judgment?

It's not a real judgment, because they have not been able to judge the reality, which is very complex and still very unclear. Even if you consider only the social aspect of the issue concerning rehabilitation of 35,000 families, where is the land to settle them? The judgment betrays the hopes of the tribals and peasants and all who are victimised.

Why could you not argue your case well?

The judges were misled by the state governments' reports. They have put unjustifiable faith in the system without considering the facts of the case. The Tribunal Award is violated every minute. How can you depend on it? The court has asked the Narmada Control Authority to prepare a plan for rehabilitation in four weeks. This is impossible.

The Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh governments have told us in writing that they don't have any land to spare, not even for a village. MP Chief Minister Digvijay Singh has said this on record. What else do you want to know? Now, the people will judge the judgement.

What is your plan of action now?

Let the Gujarat Government plan the construction of the dam. I will let you know my plan later. I will file a defamation case against people claiming that the Narmada Bachao Andolan is accepting foreign funds. Ours is the only institution not accepting money from abroad. We are not even accepting award money. I'll fight to the finish. I'll not leave it here. My heart tells me to carry on.

Would you like to highlight any point of the judgment?

The judgment was not unanimous. It is a majority judgment. The SC has allowed construction of the dam up to 90 metres. Already, 88 metres have been constructed. After every five metres, the Gujarat government has been asked to take the approval of many sub-groups connected to rehabilitation and environment and the grievance redressal cell. This is worth noting .The court has express faith in the same system which has failed miserably so far.

Another important aspect is that Justice S P Bharucha has disagreed with Chief Justice A S Anand and Justice B N Kirpal.

His dissenting note is important. He says there is need to reconsider the environmental aspects and he has emphasised the need for fresh environment assessment.

Is your faith shaken up?

Law has a place in democracy, a limited place. Yes, we went to court. We went because we were concerned about the lives and livelihood of victims of the project. We stood by them. In view of globalisation and liberalisation, more people are going to be affected. The fight has to go on. I can't leave the battle and shall not leave it. This is a symbolic battle. It was non-violent, but it has taken on the proportion of a war-like situation. I have to take this fight, this issue, this agitation... to its logical end and this judgment is not the logical end.

The people have no option. What will they do when they will be evicted and they will not be offered alternative land?

The judgment is a betrayal of both - the people of the valley and drought-affected people of Kutch and Saurashtra, for whom this will not be a solution to the water crisis.

Are you tired?

Not tired but very much disappointed. So-called democratic institutions are important, but hope helps me to think about the next generation. The judgment is important and such institutional channels are important, but this is a legal judgment. I'll wait for the human judgment. Legal justice has arrived. Human justice will come too. People's faith in our fight gives us strength. No one can kill my strength.

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