Update on Mr. Bahuguna's Fast
Shrikumar Poddar
Dear Friends:
Kindly note the correct fax number for the Prime Minister of India is
011-91-11-301-1463 and his address is:
Shri I K Gujral
Prime Minister of India
7 Race Course Road
New Delhi 110 001
Please read the following news report appearing in Indian Press and once
again send a fax or telegram to the Prime Minister of India in light of
this update.
Please send a copy of your new message as well as earlier message to my
email in Mumbai devesh....@gems.vsnl.net.in as well to my Michigan
email address.
Copies of all messages will be sent to Shri Sunderlal Bahuguna who will
be very much encouraged by your response.
Please note that of this writing, Mr. Bahuguna has entered the 43rd day
and we are seriously concerned about his health.
Many thanks for your support.
With best wishes,
Sincerely yours, Shrikumar Poddar, President
International Service Society
Reprinted from Indian Express, Mumbai, Wednesday November 12, 1997.
Press Trust of India
Tehri, Nov 11
Bahuguna Gently Mocks at Alagh^Òs Offer on Tehri
Union Energy Minister Y K Alagh today refused to concede to fasting
environmentalist Bahuguna^Òs demand that work on the RS 6,500 crore Tehri
dam project be stopped pending the expert committee^Òs report.
The Minister said that he has assured Bahuguna that the government would
adhere to the opinion of the experts^Ò committee set up in the wake of the
Chipko leader^Òs fast last year, but made it clear that the work on the dam
site can^Òt be stopped. ^ÓThere is no point talking about the project if you
halt the work altogether,^Ô he said.
Bahuguna, whose ^Ófast and prayer^Ô entered the 41st day on the banks of
the river Bhagirathi, mocked the government^Òs stand saying ^ÓHow can you
continue construction of a house whose foundation is yet to be tested.^Ô
^ÓMy first demand is that the work on the dam site should be stopped
pending inquiries by experts,^Ô Bahuguna reiterated after his meeting with
the Minister.
Alagh, on his part, maintained that ^ÓIf a particular accredited
authority says the dam should be stopped, it should be stopped,^Ô and
promised that all issues related to the safety, rehabilitation and design
of the controversial Tehri dam project raised by Bahuguna would be
thoroughly examined by experts and the project be completed in accordance
with their opinion.
He added that the government would ensure that the project schedule and
rehabilitation work would go on simultaneously. The Minister said the local
people^Òs rights over water, land, electricity, and employment would be
safeguarded.
^ÓWe want to involve local youth at every level and we want Bahuguna^Òs
cooperation to ensure this,^Ô Alagh said. He said the government was
sincere to concentrating on the issues Bahuguna was raising including the
appointment of a legal authority to examine various aspects of the project.
Alagh said he was here due to Prime Minister Gujral^Òs and his own
concern about the veteran environmentalist^Òs health.
New Draft Letter for Prime Minister of India:
Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
Subject: Bahuguna^Òs Fast Against Tehri Dam Project
If this Dam Project is safe and the expert committee gives its approval,
then Mr. Bahuguna will happily withdraw his fast.
But kindly explain to us why through your Energy Minister Mr. Alagh you
are refusing to stop the construction on the Dam Project despite commitment
given to Mr. Bahuguna by your two predecessors, Mr. Gowda and Mr. Rao.
Mr. Bahuguna has been fasting since the October 2, 1997 birthday of
Mahatma Gandhi, and is in frail health. He has once again staked his life
in the tradition of Gandhi to persuade you to do what is in the best
interests of the people of India.
We wish you will seriously reconsider the position of the Government of
India on this issue and save the life of a dedicated Gandhian Shri
Sunderlal Bahuguna.
Kindly send your reply to our fax or postal address.
Thanking you,
Sincerely yours,