Activist ends 18-day hunger strike against Ken-Betwa river link
After 18 days of protest, activist Bhatnagar ended his hunger strike against the ₹44,000 crore Ken-Betwa river linking project, which has sparked demonstrations in Chhatarpur and Panna districts.
Bhatnagar, a leader of the Jai Kisan Sangathan, ended his 18-day hunger strike on July 22, concluding a dramatic protest against the Ken-Betwa river linking project. The activist had been the central figure in demonstrations that began on July 4 in the Chhatarpur and Panna districts of Madhya Pradesh, where participants symbolically tied nooses around their necks and lay on makeshift pyres in the river to oppose the ₹44,000 crore initiative by the Union Government.
Background of the project
The Ken-Betwa river linking project is a flagship inter-basin water transfer scheme aimed at transferring water from the Ken River to the Betwa River to address water scarcity in the Bundelkhand region. With a price tag of ₹44,000 crore, it is one of the largest such projects in India. However, it has been controversial due to its potential impact on local communities and the environment. The project involves the construction of a dam and canal network that would submerge parts of the Panna Tiger Reserve and displace thousands of families, particularly in the districts of Chhatarpur and Panna, which are heavily reliant on agriculture.
The protest and its symbolism
From July 4, the riverbed became a stage for defiance. Demonstrators from the two districts, many of them farmers, engaged in a sit-in where they tied nooses around their necks and lay on pyres made from wood and cloth. This symbolic act of sacrifice was intended to communicate the depth of their opposition to the project. Bhatnagar, who had not eaten for 18 days, was at the heart of the movement, his health declining as the protest drew attention from local media and activists.
A dramatic display of defiance
The image of protesters lying on pyres with nooses around their necks was a stark visual reminder of the stakes involved. For 18 days, Bhatnagar led from the front, his fast symbolizing the desperation of communities who feel their livelihoods are threatened. The protest drew solidarity from other farmer organizations and environmental groups, though no major political party officially supported the action.
End of the hunger strike
On July 22, Bhatnagar broke his fast after 18 days. The exact circumstances that led to the decision remain unclear, though it may have been influenced by his deteriorating health or a strategic calculation to shift tactics. The Jai Kisan Sangathan has not announced any agreement with the government, and the protest continues in other forms. The government has not commented on the end of the fast.
Implications and next steps
The end of the hunger strike does not signal a resolution to the conflict over the Ken-Betwa river link. The Union Government has pushed forward with the project, citing its benefits for irrigation and drinking water, but local opposition remains steadfast. In the coming weeks, activists plan to escalate legal challenges and community awareness campaigns. The situation in Chhatarpur and Panna remains tense, with the possibility of further nonviolent resistance if the government proceeds without addressing local concerns.