NCCL welcomes S.C. order on NBA‏

Written on 17/05/2011.

It is often said better late than never and therefore it comes as no surprise that the Supreme Court should speak the truth about Medha Patekar led Narmada Bachao Andolan for misleading the judiciary on the issue of land acquisition for Omkareshwar dam Project in Madhya Pradesh (PTI report, May 12, 2011). The apex court has gone one step further in asking all courts across the country to be cautious in examining NBA petitions. "It is desirable that in future, the courts must view any presentation by the NBA with caution and care and in case it has any doubt, refuse to entertain the NBA," the apex court has said. 

The National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL) has been saying this right from the beginning that NBA is a fake organization and has been exposing it for the past 11 years pointing out that the NBA and Medha Patkar have been foreign friendly, foreign supported, and inimical to the progress of state and the country. NCCL’s struggle had begun in right earnest when it took up cudgels on behalf of Gujarat’s lifeline, the Narmada dam, as it was subjected to intense attack from Medha’s illogical crusade. Under the smokescreen of providing just compensation to the tribals, Medha was getting vicarious pleasure of seeing Gujarat’s lifeline coming close to being aborted so that the state slides back to perpetual backwardness and poverty. Her action was against established norms of civil decency as she was clearly involved  and with many political groups preferring to turn a blind eye to her shenanigans  in activities contrary to our national interests. This was what the NCCL had been saying from Day One that these NGOs, flush with foreign funds, are hell-bent upon bringing disrepute to this nation by harming the progress of Gujarat.

In the backdrop of the apex court observation it would be proper for Gujarat Government orders an inquiry into the veracity of all affidavits filed so far by NBA in the Supreme Court and lower courts against the SSP. The sooner this is done the better it would be as anti-national activities by many a NGO still continue to thrive. Gujarat was subjected to ridicule that had a bearing on its economic progress by charges of partnership flung by these NGO’s like NBA of Medha.

NCCL has fought through social, technical, legal and non-violent means to oppose & expose Patkar’s tirade & I am deeply happy that the S.C. after a thorough investigation has brought to light the truth about NBA which NCCL was telling from the last several years. I feel this important judgment will go a long way to curb the anti-development activities of many such NGO’s.

V K SAXENA

PRESIDENT

National Council for Civil Liberties,