TIRUVANANTHAPURAM : In a scathing criticism against the union government’s various acts and policies in conserving the environment, social activist Medha Patkar on Monday said the water dispute tribunals functioning in the country are of no use and they could not solve the disagreements. She was speaking after receiving the fourth Late N Ramachandran Foundation Award. Patkar, the founder of ‘Narmada Bachao Andolan’ movement, pointed out that the tribunals were formed out of political agendas and hence there was no end to water disputes.
“Tribunals only listen to the state governments and they don’t go to the common man who is at the receiving end. Don’t depend only on tribunals as those may be trials as a part of a political process,” Patkar said.
‘State govt’s action unjustifiable’
She also criticised the state government’s action to arrest protesters who were resisting the eviction of Preetha Shaji at Edappally in Ernakulam. “There should be a dialogue between the government and the protesters before arresting them. The arrest was unjustifiable,” Patkar said. She has also sought intervention to stop the unfair and unjust eviction of the family. But Medha acknowledged that the Kerala government was far better in giving compensations to the families affected in Ockhi cyclone which battered the fisherfolk families in the district last year.
Hitting out against the religious leaders including Sadhguru for their ‘efforts’ to save water resources, she said: “Water conservation has been corporatised and that’s why these leaders are always on ‘air’ in the name of saving water.” She also spoke on the contributions made by N Ramachandran in the field of journalism. Former Supreme Court judge V Gopala Gowda, who inaugurated the ceremony and presented the award to Medha, her contributions for the uplift of suppressed are unmatched. “She has always been a voice for the oppressed. She has dedicated her life for the marginalised section of the society and her activism should be continued so as to ensure justice for the common man,” Gowda said.
Poet Prabha Varma, who presided over the function, said Medha was selected considering her unparalleled contributions in the field of social justice. R V G Menon, former Principal of College of Engineering, delivered the Ramachandran memorial lecture. P P James, secretary of foundation, G Shekarana Nair, executive member of the foundation and the family members of Ramachandran were present at the event.