NGOs raise revolt against political parties

Jotirmay Thapliyal

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 24

In a biggest ever show of strength by social activists of Uttarakhand, representatives from scores of non-governmental organizations, prominently working in the sphere of prohibition, anti-dam and anti-quarrying agitations, social justice, women empowerment and environment conservation today shared a common platform here blaming political parties for the poor state of affairs in the state.

Held under the aegis of “Gaon Bachaon Andolan”, key speaker at the meeting Dr Anil Joshi from the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization (HESCO) called upon the participating NGOs to hold rallies from Tyuni to Dharchula to seek feedback from general public for building a new political option. He, however, said it would not be proper on the part of NGOs to themselves decide on providing political option in the state and asserted that the decision must be left to the people and the feedback should come through rallies.

Joshi said these rallies must finally culminate at Dehradun in September to decide future course of action on the basis of feedback received from the people. He also called for constitution of core committee for the purpose.

He added even after 14 years of its formation, villages in Uttarakhand have been completely deprived of development. He said there had been no sincere effort on part of any political party in the state to work towards bettering the lives of inhabitants of villages, who face the biggest threat in the form of constant migration.

State agitators and crusader for landless farmers in Uttarakhand Hans Pandey said another agitation was the need of the hour to provide respite to the people of Uttarakhand from both BJP and Congress. Social activist Sumitra Dhulia, mother of film maker Tigmanshu Dhulia, said it was the responsibility of the people of Uttarakhand to elect sensible political leaders, who were sensitive towards the concerns of villages.

Ramesh Semwal from Pravasee Panchayat said people of Uttarakhand living in other parts of country too wish to link with their roots. He said public representatives need to work towards curbing migration in villages by providing people with better livelihood opportunities.

Prema Badhani from Uttarkashi said while state government was reiterating its commitment to form self help groups of women, it had no scheme or plan to make these groups self sufficient. Former bureaucrat SS Pangti said villages in Uttarakhand were still far away from empowerment and had only been used by political parties as tools. Prof Harsh Dobhal from Doon University said lack of employment opportunities in villages were forcing people to migrate to cities.

Coordinating the programme, SP Sati welcomed the first ever initiative in Uttarakhand towards bringing together all credible social welfare organisations under a common platform. Sati said political system in Uttarakhand had certainly failed the people in the past 15 years.