India's landless reach Delhi

New Delhi: Thousands of dispossessed Dalits and landless tribals ended a 340 kilometre, 26 day long march to Delhi on Sunday.

The stream of people from the rural hinterland came in search of land to the Capital of the country. After 60 years after independence jal, jangal, zameen, rozgar are the things that people are still waiting for.

The aim of the march was to remind the government of their most basic needs and the promises made in the Common Minimum Programme.

For once the momentum was with the have-nots. But even the haves could not help but support the cause. That was the one reason why even the International community gathered in big numbers in the Capital.

“We are amazed at the resilience of the people – no food, no beds, yet they walk on,” said a Brazilian activist.

Politicians and activists was eager to be seen with the poor. Expectedly they spoke, but not the words that these marchers wanted to hear.

“It is for the government to decide and announce,” said Congress MP, Jyotiraditya Scindia.

General Secretary, CPI, A B Bardhan added, “This is what the government should be talking about and not the nuclear deal.”

And the man behind it all, hurried to warn...

"We are in no hurry to go back. You don't get two meals a day. Here at least you get one meal a day,” said P V Rajgopal of the Ekta Parishad.

Maybe in the end, it’s this basic need that has brought many of these people on the same platform. Their battle is a long and arduous one – something that might just continue for a long long time to come.

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#land rights #march #Dalits #tribals