Jal, Jungle, Zameen
Our current system is being challenged in so many powerful and diverse ways…
In October, 25,000 landless people will march from Gwalior to Delhi demanding that the Government introduce and implement laws for land reform.
A non-violent protest of this scale is a unique response to the injustice that some of the most vulnerable members of our society are facing.
Back in 2012, the government had agreed to a 10 point agenda that they did not honour — and this is a ‘gentle’ reminder to them.
When we think of those living under a dollar a day, homeless people or those that go hungry, we imagine very weak people. But here they are, organised and inviting us to stand with them in solidarity!
There are many many ways you can support this march being anchored by Ekta Parishad. The deeper question is, do we have the time and mind-space to zoom out of our day-to-day challenges and stand in solidarity with the most marginalised?
If we want to think in terms of how it impacts us, we just need to look at the thousands that migrate into cities and become road-side dwellers. Sleeping under flyovers and begging at signals, these are the people whose livelihoods (dependent on forests) have been snatched leaving them with no choice but to move.
But more than anything else — this is not OK. We live in a world where those who are feeding us themselves are going hungry. And we are giving implicit permission to this through our silence and inaction.
So here’s a chance to understand this complex issue and make your support visible — the journey into a new world has to be taken together, there is no other choice we have.
Jai Jagat!
