10,000 women resolve to fight against SIR

Date: 7th July 2013

UPDATE

Nearly 10,000 women resolve to fight till the Black Act of SIR is not withdrawn

Nearly 10,000 women met today in village Dalod to protest against the proposed Mandal-Bechraji SIR. They had done so on their own, right from the planning to the logistics management.

They came from all the affected villages in the proposed SIR territory, on foot or in tractors, and shouted slogans like “jaan denge jameen nahin” (we will give up our lives but not our land), “gaamni jameen gaamni, nahin sarkarna baapni” (the land in the village belongs to the village, not to the government), “ek be tran char, SIR ne karo had paar” (one two three four, ban the entry of SIR), “janta jaage, SIR bhaage” (when the people rise, SIR will run away). The children of village Dalod welcomed the women with beating of the drums and the youths showed their appreciation by making arrangements for lunch for the gathering.

The meeting was handled by Rashmikaben and Jyotsnaben of Vanod. Geeta Desai of village Mera, Chanchiben of village Chhatrak, Jashiben of village Vadgam, Vasantiben of village Varmora, Kantaben of village Panwa, Jayaben of village Echwada and others spoke and presented their demands. Their sentiments were “the land is our mother, and we will not part with our mother. Who are you (the government) to decide our future? Repeal the Black Act of SIR.” Addressing the Chief Minister directly they asked, “Brother, when will you come to ask about our well-being?”

The women’s speeches made many of those present to shed tears. Some politicians who were present there also realised that they were farmers first and politicians later and pledged their support to the agitation.

Jameen Adhikar Andolan – Gujarat (JAAG)
A-302, Sharan Residency-1, Near Lohana Chhatralaya, Vasna, Ahmedabad
Contact: Lalji Desai 9727589344 Sagar Rabari 9409307693