Friends,
as you all know, to make the process of land acquisition easier the NDA
government has made amendments to the 2013 legislation and introduced the Land
Ordinance. The state has made two intentions clear with this step –
1.
That
it has no respect for parliamentary processes
2.
That
under the pretext of development, they grab land from farmers and hand them
over to Indian and foreign corporations
Since
independence people’s movements across the country have been waging struggles to
demand equitable distribution of land, zamindari abolition, land to the tiller
and land reforms on a large scale. This was in opposition to the 1894 Land
Acquisition Act introduced by the British that does not give farmers and
landowners the right to save their land. The basic underlying principle of this
law was ‘eminent domain’ according to which the nation’s natural resources
belong to the state. Although it is noteworthy that this colonial law implies
that the state will take your land but in a way that recognises your land
rights. Amendments were made from time to time to the legislation and in 1984
it was made applicable to private companies as well. This was vehemently
opposed. The government relinquished its responsibility towards large numbers
of people displaced by projects and was later forced to pay attention to
rehabilitation and resettlement under pressure from people’s movements.
Friends,
it was the pressure from people’s movements that compelled the state to
consider introducing a new law for land acquisition, rehabilitation &
resettlement and subsequently various drafts were presented. The UPA government
in its first tenure attempted to draft two different laws but was unable to
execute it. After this, the UPA government started the process of combining
both the laws into one law in its second tenure. Because of the powerful
intervention of people’s movements in the main draft of this legislation, the
motives of the government were reined in. Eventually in 2013 the ‘Right to Fair
Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act’
was introduced but it was only partially democratic in its processes.
A
series of struggles by movements of the country resulted in the making of this
law. It had provisions which could not sideline the interests of farmers and
workers such as consent of landholders, social impact assessment, a limited
time period for the project to begin after land acquisition, clearly outlined
provisions for rehabilitation and resettlement, etc. The law was passed in
January 2013 along with the dismissal of the colonial 1894 Act. It is
remarkable that land has not been acquired even once for any project under this
law and the NDA government in its short tenure of eight months has introduced
an ordinance that is less of an amendment and more of a complete negation of
the law. We are aware that the industry lobby was opposed to the 2013 Land
Acquisition Act and it was the government’s single minded agenda to please them.
By negating the important provisions that guarantee a democratic procedure, the
ordinance is even more dangerous than the colonial law.
We
are well aware of the forces at work here. Through slogans like ‘Make in India’
our current prime minister has made it amply clear to capitalists and foreign
investors that not only is he willing to help them multiply their wealth by
providing cheap labour and cheap land, but he will also bring in laws that
remove any obstacles in the way of making unbridled profits. The alterations in
the Land Acquisition Act through the ordinance route is a culmination of what
he had declared to our NRI capitalists during his ‘show’ in America - that he
will derive great pleasure in finishing the nation’s laws one by one.
The
idea is to end any scope for democratic processes through the ordinance. The
new government not only wants to make land acquisition easy for big projects
but also wants to strategically handover vast tracts of land to private
companies. This is evident from how the ordinance simplifies land acquisition
for destructive projects such as industrial corridors and special economic
zones. People’s movements have previously opposed environmentally damaging
activities, raising questions about mega projects because of which many farmers
and workers have been able to save their livelihood sources. If this ordinance receives
the green signal in the Parliament, then people’s movements will be left with
no choice and farmers, workers, fishworkers, artisans and small businessmen
will be worst affected. Ensuring justice, minimum displacement and livelihood
will no longer be possible if it is passed.
By
excluding provisions such as social impact assessment, use of land in a limited
period, 70-80% consent of landholders, participation of gram sabha and minimal
acquisition of multi-crop land, the government has not only conspired to grab
land but has also violated our basic rights as guaranteed by the constitution.
Friends,
the pace at which this government is passing ordinances whether it be
privatization of coal or foreign investment in insurance and defence sectors
has broken the myth in people’s minds and caused much uncertainty. Introducing
ordinances this way reveals the kind of vested interests under the influence of
which the government is taking steps where it doesn’t have the courage to win
people’s faith or the trust of the parliament. It is pressure from vigilant
people’s movements regarding the ordinance that has resulted in the President
of India asking the government not once but twice why they were hurriedly
bringing in so many ordinances.
This
government has lost its legitimacy in very little time. We understand the
limitations of parliamentary democracy and are aware that it has to stay in
power for the next five years which is dangerous exactly because we also
understanding its intentions. The next five years are enough to establish an
authoritarian system in the country. This government’s ultimate objective is to
transfer the country’s natural resources into the hands of capitalists. Apart
from this, the government has been preparing its own civil force by encouraging
fringe elements that at opportune moments will foment hate and be used to
repress peaceful, democratic movements. It is for this reason that the struggle
is now two fold, where on the one hand we oppose the government’s tyrannical
ordinances and on the other fight these fringe elements.
In
such a situation we feel that the government has yet again brought the issue of
land into the political arena and has reopened the pages of history. We must
look upon this as an opportunity. If the government is bringing in a one sided
law to acquire land then we too must try to establish our longstanding just and
pro-people demands. Towards this, a national convention was organised by
various people’s movements on 23-24 January in New Delhi. It was proposed that
the time has come for social movements and mainstream political parties to come
together and build a tough opposition to the ordinance. Following this, it was
decided that movements from across the country, leftwing groups, socialist
farmer movements and trade unions will together gherao the parliament on 24th
February. The budget session will be in progress and it is during this time
that the government will try to pass the ordinance in the Parliament.
The
coming together of social movements, trade unions and political parties at such
a time could be a highly effective strategy. Apart from this we will have to
make many centres of resistance. This ordinance should be opposed at the
district level and pressure must be mounted on the MPs from various constituencies
to oppose the ordinance in the Parliament.
So
friends, we request you all to join us in large numbers to oppose the land
ordinance and pressurize this dictatorial government. We must convey the
message that this country’s farmers, workers and working class have not yet
become mute, are far more vigilant and are better prepared than the government
to create meaningful development and a fair system that guarantees their
rights.
The
people of this country need peace and brotherhood. They believe in Gandhi’s
principles of religious pluralism and not in Godse or some violent fringe
elements. They want to realize the dream of an egalitarian India as envisioned
by Ambedkar, Phule and Lohia. We have fought for such an India in the past and
will continue to do so.
We will not let this
ordinance be passed!