Ganga Andolan
By Dr. Rajendra Singh*
Swami Shivanand is on a Ganga satyagraha – fast unto death – since August 3, 2020 in Haridwar. That river Ganga needs aviralta (free flow) and nirmalta (pure and clean flow) is an undeniable truth. A non-violent way to demand that this truth see the light of day and become a reality, is tapasya (penance/austerity/self-control), and that is why this tapasya is a satyagraha (holding firmly on to the truth in a passive, non-violent manner).
A satyagrahi has no friend or foe and bestows loving care for all: For the satyagrahi, all are equal. India could get her Independence after 70 years of satyagraha. The British realized that this demand of independence was an undeniable and irrefutable truth and left. But will the Ganga become aviral and nirmal and gain her true independence? Will truth prevail for this revered river? These are questions that haunt the Ganga lovers: Those making the demand for a free Ganga are people of independent India and those in whose hands rests the freedom of the river are also from free India, and yet the river is enslaved and on her deathbed.
Since eternal times, India has been the epitome of satyagraha and fearlessly continues to be so. That is why Swami Shivanand continues on his tapasya/satyagraha with all faith and commitment that truth will ultimately prevail for the Ganga.
Also read: Ganga Movement: The government is not upholding its commitment to the Ganga
Just how highly India now holds the principle of, and commitment towards, Satyamev Jayate (Truth alone triumphs) is difficult to assess and that is why doubts arise about the possibility of a free flowing and pure Ganga. When the governance structure fuels falsehood, the faith of the people in truth is shaken, and some people occasionally express doubts. Swami Shivanand remains unshaken and undeterred. He said: “It’s my calling to do tapasya for the Ganga and give up my life while doing so. I will do so. Before me, Swami Nigmanand from Matri Sadan, Haridwar; Swami Nageshwar Nath from Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi; and, Swami Sanand from Matri Sadan, Haridwar gave up their lives for the Ganga. It is my last desire to do the same. I hope that the Jhuthmev Jayate (triumph of falsehood) of the people who have betrayed the Ganga will be exposed and replaced with Satyamev Jayate. This will be possible through passing of a Ganga law its protection and management. For a long time now, this bill was to be discussed in the Parliament. It has still not even entered the Parliament. As a consequence, companies, contractors, engineers, government officials, and politicians are all taking advantage of the absence of such a law for their own gain. Till such time Ganga is not treated for the illness she suffers from, these people offer ‘tablets, supplements, ghats’ and become doctors for the river. In absence of a law, questioning is not possible. That is also why the Ganga law is moving from pillar to post.”
Political parties have realized that Ganga attracts votes. Prior to elections political parties make promises for her ever flow and purity. Post elections, these promises and the river herself are forgotten. In the Parliament after the 2018 elections, Members of Parliament from all political parties committed to fulfilling their manifesto commitments, but not a word was spoken about the promises relating to the Ganga. This unveils uncomfortable truths: The political leaders do not care for the aspirations of the 132 crore Indian population. For them the Ganga is a vote magnet: Prior to elections few forget the Ganga. Post elections, no one wants to even mention this revered river. The fact is that they no longer consider the river their ‘maa’ or mother, they do not behave with her as they would with their mother, they have chained her freedom through dams and other means and have forced her to the carrier of human-generated waste.
The Ganga satyagraha is for her azaadi or Independence. People like Prof G D Agarwal (Swami Sanand) have committed to this satyagraha and this satyagraha for her aviralta and nirmalta, for her freedom and will continue till she is free. Ganga is a mother and not a slave: Let her flow freely, purely and eternally.
*The writer is an internationally acclaimed water conservationist and is also known as the Waterman of India. The views expressed are personal.
