Social activists who sincerely try to help the poorest of the poor are often victims of threats and harassment by unscrupulous but influential people, Bharat Dogra points out. He makes a case for the administration to help such activists perform their important role in the lives of the vulnerable. If the ‘protectors’ are protected, they will be able to carry out their roles in a better way, he says
The poorest and most vulnerable sections of the population, living in remote villages, frequently face injustice, sometimes even violence. Those responsible for these atrocities use their resources and influence to load the scales of justice against the victims. In such circumstances, the role of social activists who try their best to ensure that justice prevails becomes very important. But they too come under fire from the powerful persons, who do not brook opposition. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the administration to come to the rescue of these protectors. The truth is that activists, working in difficult and adverse conditions in remote areas to bring about change for the better, can also be of considerable help to the administration in improving the implementation of various pro-poor and welfare schemes.
An organisation which has been playing such a protective role in Banda District of Uttar Pradesh is Vidya Dham Samiti (VDS). It has partnered with some prestigious social organisations over the years. Representatives of these organisations, as well as several senior officials, local teachers, lawyers, other activists and members of the public, particularly the poor and women, whom this writer has met in the course of his travels in the area as a journalist and development consultant, have repeatedly praised VDS and its coordinator Raja Bhaiya, and its sister organisation Chingari, for their contributions. The role of VDS has also been recognised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which came to Raja Bhaiya’s help at a very difficult time.
Here are some ways in which VDS was a catalyst for change. The organisation took steps to enable landless Dalits, like those in Bhanwarpur Village, who had been given pattas (legal document) for land but not actual possession, to occupy their given premises and cultivate them. The public hearing organszed by VDS and attended by then Commissioner Sobran Singh Yadav is remembered for on-the-spot decisions which were very helpful for the poorest people. A subsequent similar public hearing in the presence of District Magistrate Mukesh Meshram and Deputy Inspector General of Police R.P. Singh proved helpful too.
In another instance, a campaign against corruption led to a prompt hearing by former Commissioner V.S. Pandey, and yielded considerable relief to poor people who were victims of this evil. VDS and Chingari have also been working for the empowerment of women, and a public hearing in the presence of current Member of Parliament Krishna Patel proved helpful in drawing attention to the plight of many victims of violence and injustice.
Unfortunately, such initiatives are obstructed time and again by powerful forces. Raja Bhaiya has frequently been subjected to threats and efforts by powerful persons to falsely implicate him in cases. It was in one such instance that NHRC intervened. It was hoped that the Commission’s action would deter further efforts to harass and threaten the leading social activist, but the threats continue.
Other activists, too, face similar problems. Vijay Bahadur is a former pradhan (chief) of Harahamafi Village. He did exemplary work to meet the housing and other needs of villagers. He has also lent his support to Chingari. Earning a name for going to places where some injustice had taken place, he has often arranged relief measures for victims. He has exposed corruption in official circles, providing evidence. As a result, he has been implicated in trumped-up cases, and even his pension is not being paid, despite having served for nearly 25 years. Bahadur complains in anguish that it is his identity as a Dalit that has motivated denial of justice to him, and triggered ‘misbehaviour’ towards him, rather than getting him the respect due to his service. A leading activist of Chingari, Mobina. Khatun, known for her courageous stand on several issues of injustice against women, has also faced harassment from time to time.
Some years ago, this writer was part of a team sent by NHRC to Bundelkhand. The team found several instances of exploitation and injustice being reduced thanks to intervention by social activists. On their part, apart from helping to take justice to the poor and women victims of violence, VDS and Chingari have also taken up several constructive projects relating to education, health and social reform, and the benefits are appreciated by thousands of poor villagers. Instead of these activists being helped, if they are left to face constant harassment, then an important arm of democracy to reduce injustice in peaceful ways will be impaired. If the ‘protectors’ are protected, they will be able to carry out their roles in a better way.
(The writer is a senior freelance journalist and author who has been associated with several social movements and initiatives. He lives in New Delhi.)
from Webdoux