Protestors sit down to rest after a long day of marching with callouses on their feet. While the day was scorching hot, the night will be equally cold. A vibrant conversation takes place over some jaggery in front of the Bongabar Panchayat Bhawan.
Rajesh Singarhwal, a protestor from Koderma district explains his reasons for involvement in this march. He says that he views all the trouble he has to face during the campaign as an investment towards his future. He defends the indigenous and native people of Jharkhand saying that they have always protected the environment and are loyal to nature. He says that the natural resources, the fauna and flora of their region are being depleted by external groups. He asks a poignant question to the government about their idea of legality. The public resources of an area are supposedly free to be used by outsiders but not by people living right there.
Rajesh talks about the forced migration which is a result of the denial of public resources to the people who are dependent on them for their livelihood. He gives an example of Maharashtra where he believes violence against native people of Jharkhand working there drove them out of the state. He also brings to attention the poor conditions of such labourers.
Keeping with the main demands of the march, Rajesh raises the issue of the government and forest officials failing to seek the approval of the Gram Sabha for carrying out activities which directly affect the villagers. He says that the government has an authoritarian attitude. He elaborates with the example of the Mahua tree which is cultivated in many parts of Jharkhand. Improper cultivation may result in forest fires and disturbances in the eco-system. This even leads to the wiping out of vital organisms which through interdependence of nature help in the growth of the tress. All this inevitably leads to the degradation of the environment. The native people, patient and loyal to nature would not let this happen as they are very careful with their cultivation practices. The example of the abrak (mica) metal which is mined in Jharkhand is also a thought provoking one.
Turning to a protestor who had been personally displaced from Ranchi due to a road building plan: he laments the lack of proper compensation from the government in exchange for his land. A petty compensation of Rs. 10,000-15,000 for someone’s home and their land which is the source of their livelihood is extremely unjust and cannot be considered development. If progress is not inclusive, it is not really progress.
Rajesh is moved to talk about the abhorrent conditions of government schools in Jharkhand, whether it be the lack of proper instruction from the teachers or low levels of attention given to the students. He says there is a deep divide between the public and private schools. Education is another basic right that is being denied to many people. Rajesh thinks reservation has done little to help them improve their standard of living.
He says that the opposition is open to their demands but only as long as they are not in power. The establishment is a powerful nexus that only works to protect and benefit its own. Clashes between the ruling class and the masses mostly result in the loss of commoners. Suppression of social movements by the common people constantly takes place but Rajesh declares his determination. The fight between the oppressed and oppressors continues but he hopes that things will change for the better.
Other campaigners are plagued by the same problems of being denied their land and access to public resources. Displacement of indigenous people is a serious problem with severe adverse consequences. The conversation ends at the stark realization that for the people marching, the issue of their land, water and forests is a matter of their survival.
The ‘pathalgadi’ rebellion was a reaction to an extended period of exploitation which eventually became problematic. It is of course extremely important to realize that senseless exploitation of people and their resources will cause problems which will be difficult to manage later.