Update from the Dharna in Mehendiganj
Phone Conversation with Nandlal on April 16, 2006
Nandlal:
“Today was Ambetkar Jayanti. We had a large program here thanks to the Ambetkar Mahasabha. We had a program discussing his thoughts and social and political views. We also discussed in detail the issues faced by the dalits in the area. There were over 300 people who were there for the whole day and another 100 who dropped in for some time. We had a professor from BHU, the Gandhi Vidya Sansthan chairman and former BHU professor Dr. Deepak Malik and a former police commissioner S.R. Darapuri. Dr. Deepak Malik had also kept a fast in Bharat Mandir, Banaras in support of NBA and the struggle at Mehdiganj the previous day. A few other social groups like Mahu Chamar Samaj and Bhagat Singh Bregade also attended the session.
We will be receiving Rajendar Singh (the waterman of India) in Mehdiganj on the 28th. His presence and endorsement to the campaign with be of much boost to us. He is unfortunately only here for a day so the first program is here at Mehdiganj where all the villagers can meet him and the other meeting is in Banaras in a university. He is reasonably well known and coke has been constantly been claiming that he supports them unconditionally because they have supported some of his water harvesting work.
The Hindusthan newspaper here today reported that Amir has been receiving threats due to his support of the NBA and also mentioned that he plans to query about coca cola.
It would be excellent if it were possible for Amir to be here for just one day so he could meet all the people effected and hear their story. Mahesh Bhat also called us and informed us that he is working on a story line with at least part of it dealing with issues with Coke. If that happens, it would create more awareness than we have been able to here.
Our booth has been facing some challenges, there has been very strong wind and also a little rain. Due to the strong winds our tents were blown down and we spent a good part in the drizzle. One of our friends was bitten by an insect and developed boils over his body. We took him to hospital yesterday night.
Today we found out from a few women that coke has been digging in the corner of one of the large ponds in this area. The pond is already 4-5 acres large and it looks like they want to show that they dug the whole pond. We will look into it and understand what the situation is.
That apart the movement is starting to gather steam in another 5-7 days the wheat will be completely harvested and the women from the village are already starting to come in at the dharna spot."