Citizens’ Research Collective on SEZ

Bangalore, November 18, 2007: Dubbing the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as special exploitation zones, social activist Medha Patkar from the National Alliance for People’s Movement on Saturday said the destruction of local communities in the name of development was unacceptable and had to be collectively fought by activists from different spheres and professions.

Addressing a gathering here, Ms. Patkar cited the proposed SEZ at Nandagudi, near here, as another instance of the exploitation. “The land of silk and milk is being destroyed without any consent from the people. The people of Nandagudi must prepare to battle. We are for the killing of the vulgarly criminal and communal politics. That is the message of Gandhi, Ambedkar, Marx and Lohia,” she said.

Identifying herself with the “Left stream ideology,” Ms. Patkar said that the position meant “we are with the downtrodden people, the Dalits and the unprotected working class.” But she hastened to add that the SEZ debate had proved that the criminalisation of politics was potent from right to left. The motley group of anti-SEZ activists, academics and the general public stood in protest, as Ms. Patkar voiced her concerns.

Source: The Hindu