Five years after
Janadesh –their first
350-km-foot march involving 25,000 people who demanded rights on
their lands, once more, the
landless peasants of the Ekta Parishad Union met in Gwalior, India, to march
to Delhi. The march started on October 2, 2012, and arrived in
Delhi on October 29, 2012. They needed 70,000 participants to demand new rights
over land, water and natural resources. But, millions in Indian villages would
hear the message. There were also many support activities in Europe and the
rest of the world with local marches, meals, conferences and meetings.
We have often
heard the cry we learned from Gandhi: JAI JAGAT! Victory for the world!
But what is this victory? The agreement reached in Agra? The million land
titles given to Adivasis (tribal people) since 2008? Or standing, walking, and
facing the holders of power, without hatred or contempt but with determination?
These
landless' peasants of Ekta Parishad with their leader Rajagopal on one side and
on other, the Indian state and its government, all contributed to this victory,
without violence and with respect.
It was hard
for everyone; this victory could not be taken for granted. Victory against
fear, indifference, poverty, and the inevitable fatigue is a daily task.
Janadesh
March, Jan Satyagraha March and the twenty years of Ekta Parishad’s nonviolent
struggle do not only mean the million property titles distributed to Adivasis
since 2008 but much more than that, the transformation of Adivasis’ lives,
opening doors to a dignified life, joyous awakening and the return of their
confidence.
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