236 DAYS OF YAMUNA SATYAGRAHA

23rd March 2008

As announced earlier, Yamuna Satyagrah observed its 234, 235 and 236th day as Holika Dahan, Holi Milan and (World Water Day and Shahidi Divas) respectively.

While those of you who watch Dilli Aaj Tak may have seen the Holika Dahan Coverage on TV, around 150 people including college students (Youth For Justice), local villagers and Yamuna Satyagrahis led by Rajendra Bhai consigned the effigies of Yamuna Encroachers, Polluters and despoilers (DDA, DMRC and Govt of Delhi) to flames over a pyre made of cattle dung cakes only (It was also the World Forestry Day on 21 March 2008). Holi Milan was observed in a festive spirit on 22.3.08 at the Satyagrah Sthal with lots of gaity, gulal and 'herbal' paint (in the words of Kamakhya, the Yamuna film maker), which actually turned out to be hard to remove black grease ! But all in fun and frolic. Prof Vikram Soni joined the group towards late in the evening. Today (23.3.08) a large group met again at the Satyagrah Sthal early in the forenoon, when a Havan homage to 'water' as well as to the 'martyres' (It being the Martyres Day too) was organised.

Copy of a letter (received by Rajendra Bhai) from Hon'ble CM of Delhi sent to Sri Somnath Chatterjee, Speaker Lok Sabha became a subject matter of intense discussion and animated discourse on account of deliberate falsehood reiterated by the CM in her letter justifying the construction of Games Village in the river bed on the grounds that Akshardham stands there and that MOEF after detailed investigations gave three clearance letters for it. (Why were 3 clearance letters needed if all was in order and proper, is something which clearly she has chosen to ignore in her letter?). It was agreed that it matters little as to how many people (Delhites) actually participate actively in the Satyagrah as long as the endeavour for achieving the truth for river Yamuna remains the goal.

The Yamuna Satyagrah marches on....