Stop Intimidation and Harassing of Leaders of People’s Struggles
In Madhya Pradesh, the Deputy CM Subhash Yadav has resorted to demeaning insults as well as highhanded arrests to crackdown on people protesting the raising of the height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam. On May 20, hundreds of NBA activists stormed the house of Subhash Yadav, who also holds the Water Resources and Narmada Valley Development portfolio, to protest against government’s apathy at the submergence and displacement caused by the raising of the height of the dam.
Far from responding to the dam-affected, Subhash Yadav chose to insult and slander NBA leader Medha Patkar. Using disparaging taunts and derogatory language, he said she was “responsible for electricity shortage in the state”. Later, Ms. Patkar and hundreds of activists were arrested. However, this did not prevent Mr Yadav from being cornered on the issue of rehabilitation, and he was forced to agree to a ‘Jan Sunwai’, or People’s Hearing.
Shame on You Subhash Yadav – Your Jeers and Taunts Can’t Crush People’s Movements!