Rahul Gandhi backs tribal protesters, accuses BJP govt of suppressing peaceful agitation over Ken-Betwa Project

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday extended support to tribal communities protesting against land acquisition for the Ken-Betwa river linking project in Madhya Pradesh, accusing the BJP government of denying them fair compensation and rehabilitation while suppressing their peaceful agitation.

In a social media post, Gandhi alleged that tribal families were forced to launch a “Jal Satyagraha” and an indefinite hunger strike after losing their land for the Ken-Betwa project without receiving just compensation or dignified rehabilitation. “Modi government is afraid of both truth and Satyagraha,” Gandhi said, adding that the tribal protesters were compelled to take the path of peaceful resistance because their rights had been ignored.

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Describing the tribal communities as the country’s “first inhabitants,” the Congress leader asserted that they possessed the primary claim over natural resources.
“The truth is that tribals are the first owners of this country. The first right over water, forests and land belongs to them,” he said.
He further argued that their “Satyagraha” was aimed at protecting those rights, which he alleged were now being taken away.

Referring to the demands of the protesters, Gandhi said they were seeking only the means to sustain their livelihoods after displacement.
“In their own unique way, they are asking for just one thing—provide them adequate support to make a living. Otherwise, life itself becomes no different from a funeral pyre,” he said.

The Congress leader also accused the BJP government of using police force to suppress a peaceful protest instead of engaging with the demonstrators.
“But even this is unacceptable to the BJP government. Instead of listening to them, their peaceful protest is being crushed through police action,” Gandhi alleged.
Reiterating the Congress party’s support for the tribal communities, Gandhi said his party would continue to fight for their rights and ensure they received justice.

“We stand with our tribal brothers and sisters. We will ensure they get justice. Fair compensation and proper rehabilitation will have to be provided,” he said.
The Ken-Betwa river linking project, India’s first interlinking of rivers project under the National Perspective Plan, aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken River to the Betwa River to provide irrigation, drinking water and hydropower benefits to parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. However, the project has also faced sustained opposition from sections of affected communities and environmental groups over concerns relating to displacement, rehabilitation, compensation and its ecological impact. Rahul Gandhi’s remarks come amid continuing political debate over land acquisition, tribal rights and the implementation of large infrastructure projects.