Quakers join march for landless
Friends show solidarity with landless Indian villagers
Quakers in Britain are among a global chain of people showing solidarity with landless Indian villagers. There was cautious celebration when Indian government ministers appeared to meet demands to give land rights to the poorest. A massive nonviolent protest march is planned.
Rajagopal P V, leader of the Jansatyagraha 2012 march, has negotiated with Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh and the minister of rural development. Organisers believe this marks a great achievement for land rights in India. However, the people want firmer commitments and still feel that they need to march.
It is proof, the organisers say, that nonviolence can make a change in the world. The plan for 100,000 people to march, taking a month to cover 350km from Gwalior to Delhi, will continue. Three hundred representatives will finalise their demands in Delhi and on 11 October Rajagopal will again meet government ministers about the demands.
Rajagopal is president of Ekta Parishad, a movement of around 11,000 community-based organisations that interprets nonviolence in the same way as Gandhi – as an active force in bringing about social change. Quaker Peace & Social Witness (QPSW) has supported Ekta Parishad for many years as part of its South Asia Programme and has worked with them to provide training in active nonviolence. QPSW staff member Gerald Conyngham was at the workshops in Gwalior this week while Quakers joined Christian Aid and Action Village India to organise vigils and marches in the UK.
Visit www.quaker.org.uk/landmarch to find solidarity marches.
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