HYDERABAD: It is not right for prime minister Narendra Modi to make false claims and make pernicious agreements during his overseas tours without consulting the people, social activist Medha Patkar has said.
Speaking at a round table organised by National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) here on Sunday, she said, “We want to save natural resources from the irreparable damage that is taking place. Privatisation and globalisation are taking place in a crude way. It is not fair for Modi to enter into agreements with foreign countries on the pretext of seeking a prestigious position for India on the global scene. It is clearly surrender in every sector, whether education, health or agriculture and even water management, to multinationals,” she said.
“The country is facing a great crisis not only because Modi has come to power but also because several state governments are showing the same fascist tendencies denying the diversity of right to expression, culture and religion and denying the diversity in terms of development paradise in this country,” she noted.
Referring to the issue of Andhra Pradesh capital, she said, “Irrespective of how many crores of rupees being spent on its foundation-laying, it is no great achievement for Chandrababu Naidu or Modi.
We also know that in AP and Telangana there are several projects, be it Polavaram or capital city, that are threatening the culture and livelihood of people, and environment.”
She declared that NAPM would launch a movement against communalism and divisive politics. “The country’s secular fabric is under threat. We will hold demonstrations from November 25 to December 6 to save the society from divisive politics, to save Samvidhan, Samsadan, land, water, forests, etc, and also protect the constitutional rights of people.”
On the ongoing movement for reservation to Patel community in Gujarat, she said the Patels of Gujarat also had to seek reservation because the Modi model had ruined Gujarat. “It is not something of pride. It is unfortunate that every section has to demand reservation without which they think they cannot get employment, education and health services,” she said.