18-06-08 Five days after Dr. Agrawal started his fast unto death.
The feeling of agony and helplessness is building in the minds of all those who know Dr. Agrawal and his determination to continue fast. The response so far from government is discouraging creating anxiety about his deteriorating health as the day after day passes. Is there no other way to prevent unthinkable to happen.
I have no hopes that government will come to rescue by accepting Dr. Agrawal’s demands as it views the whole situation with prejudice and conviction of necessity of hydroelectric projects. It has not cleared its stand on the necessity of preserving Ganga’s sanctity and the measures it wants to take to keep Ganga’s flow unhindered. It doesn’t want to forfeit the expenditure on projects, has no alternative plans for energy and gives very low priority to preserve religious faiths or national heritage. It seems, in India, every problem is viewed only through political angle.
I suspect that the EIA for the projects was prepared lopsided overlooking the exorbitant and unimaginable intangible costs of damaging faith not only of all Hindus but every Indian who loves his country. Government should immediately examine and assess the real cost- benefit of the project by taking into account cost of destroying national heritage. I am sure, the EIA so prepared will show That Dr. Agrawal is right and is in fact saving the government from committing a grave mistake.
All the supporters of Dr. G. D. Agrawal, who are near to him and the NGOs should ensure that their beloved and learned leader remains active till the final objective is achieved. Because he alone can argue the case from technical, environmental and moral grounds without any political advantage and can convince the government. If situation demands, there, is nothing wrong in changing strategy to preserve our resources, buy time and strengthen the resources for continued struggle. The great Shivaji maharaj wisely used such tactics to achieve final success. I know that the NGOs supporting Dr. Agrawal are responsible and hope that they will succeed in persuading Dr. Agrawal to act differently in changed scenario.
The government also cannot shirk the responsibility and allow somebody to end his life by fasting. I don’t know what law and constitution says but I feel that life of any citizen is property of nation and even the person concerned cannot take the decision about his life.
I sincerely hope that the problem will be solved amicably. After all, what is government and how it takes decisions. It is only based on somebody’s recommendation. May be that advice is not correct. Our democratic system is particularly very slow and government is generally hesitant in taking drastic decisions against their own policies. It is the duty of agitators to educate the people and build the opinion to force the government to change its stand. Considering the social apathy to take national problems seriously, a lot needs to be done patiently without loosing temper or acting in haste which otherwise would lead to create situations of no return.
I do not think that the sacrifice of life is the only way left to Save Ganga nor is it sufficient. What it requires is prolonged struggle under leadership of Dr. Agrawal.
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