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A year before Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India, he declared his vision for the country – a bullet train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, and the Statue of Unity.
Although the former vision has hit several roadblocks especially when it comes to procuring the land for the high-speed rail corridor, Sardar Patel’s statue – the Statue of Unity – which will be the tallest statue in the world has had a smooth ride so far.
On 31 October, PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the statue to the world and he plans to use the platform to cement his claim as the inheritor of Sardar Patel’s legacy – of being the ‘iron man’ of this century. Meanwhile, Adivasis have decided to hold protest marches on 31 October and will observe a day-long hunger strike.
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Suresh Mehta claimed that the ‘Statue of Unity’, a memorial dedicated to Sardar Patel, is illegal and has been built by the BJP to garner votes. Mehta alleged that the BJP government in Gujarat went ahead with the construction of the statue despite local tribals registering their protest when the project was first conceptualised some years ago.
Someone who has not been in the political spotlight in two decades, Mehta fervently announced that over 5,000 tribals living in the vicinity of the memorial will observe a fast on 31 October.
Mehta claimed that the state government violated the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) (PESA) Act of 1996, which empowers local residents to take decisions through gram sabhas.
He added that the budget meant for the maintenance of Narmada canals was diverted for this project.
"Land of six villages were first acquired by the government in the 1960s for the main dam project. We have not received any compensation for that till date. Now, that land is being used for the statue project. We want the government to compensate us before unveiling the statue," said Shailesh Tadvi, a tribal from Vagadiya village.
Another tribal, Arvind Tadvi, claimed that though water of the Narmada has reached Kutch through canals, around 28 villages near the dam are yet to get water.
According to tribal activist Lakhan Musafir, people living in 72 villages near the dam will observe fast on October 31 as a mark of protest. "We have also urged tribals of the eastern belt of Gujarat, from Dang till Ambaji, to join our protest," said Musafir.
The heads of 22 villages situated near Sardar Sarovar Dam wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, 29 October, stating that villagers would not welcome him at the inauguration of the Statue of Unity on 31 October. Local tribal leaders have also announced a boycott of the function citing destruction of natural resources due to the memorial.
"We all villagers want to tell you with extreme grief that we will not welcome you on 31 October. Even if you come here like an unwanted guest, you are not welcome here," the letter stated. They alleged that people's hard-earned money is being wasted on projects like Statue of Unity, though several villages of the area are still deprived of basic facilities like schools, hospitals and drinking water.
Meanwhile, unidentified persons tore and defaced posters of Modi and Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in several parts of the district in the last few days. “People have started defacing posters showing Narendra Modi and Vijay Rupani. This is how the protest starts and we will take it all the way,” said Praful Vasawa, a tribal activist.
He claims that Adivasis from Ambaji to Umargaon will participate in the protest and will hold a day-long hunger strike.
“As per tribal tradition, when a family member dies, the community observes a day long fast. Similarly, we will also hold a day long hunger strike as long as Narendra Modi remains in the state on 31 October.”
(With inputs from PTI)
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