Under the banner of Narmada Bachao Andolan, hundreds of people affected by the Sardar Sarovar Dam on Wednesday staged a protest in Delhi demanding that Narmada Control Authority refuse permission to fill the full reservoir level, 139 m of the dam.

“We are not begging for compensation. We are demanding our rights and entitlements which government provided as part of the Narmada Water Dispute Tribunal or Supreme Court reiterated and confirmed and various policies of state governments,” Devram Kanera, senior activist of NBA said.

He was joined by hundreds of farmers, workers, fishermen, and activists at the day-long protest.

Annie Raja of the National Federation of Indian Women speaking in solidarity with the NBA said current government is looting the natural resources and handing it over to corporations for profit and sacrificing the rights of the people in the name of development.

Bhupender Rawat, farmer leader and Convener, Jan Sangharsh Vahini said the farm land of the Narmada valley are being flooded for what, to irrigate land in Gujarat.

But unfortunately even that is not happening and water is being given to industries and car factories.

How many more farmers will have to sacrifice their land and fields for corporate greed, asked Rawat.

Later, a delegation led by Vimal Bhai of Matu Jan Sangathan met the Secretary, Jalshakti Ministry, UP Singh.

The demands of the NBA included- Sardar Sarovar Dam should not be allowed to fill till 139 mts, full reservoir level, 32,000 families in 172 villages still need to be rehabilitated satisfactorily and the rising waters are threatening their life and livelihood.

Urgent need to complete the R&R. Until that happens, let the gates of the Sardar Sarovar Dam be lowered so that water recedes from the villages of the Narmada.