Banning NBA?

The Gujarat High Court has asked the central government to consider banning the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) based on a suit filed by an NGO (that ironically champions civil liberties) that alleges that NBA is indulging in anti-national activities with the help of foreign agencies, by preventing development.

The central government needs to ask itself some important questions. One, did the protest against the Narmada project start two decades ago because injustice had been done to tribals and other poor people? Two, does that injustice still survive? Three, is development meant only for one section of the people? Four, is there something wrong with our formula for development?

If the NBA is considered anti-national and deserving of ban, then the pattern of development that we are following is undemocratic and anti-people. The NBA issue deserves national attention and debate before the government takes a decision on the recommendation of the Gujarat High Court. Banning NBA is the easiest thing to do, but it will put the first nail into the coffin of our democracy Satyameva jayate!

S G Vombatkere
Mysore