By Shweta Thakur, IANS
New Delhi : It was joyful celebration of a goal achieved for the thousands of marchers, yet it was tinged with sadness. For the 25,000-odd marchers, the bonding they had built in their almost month-long walk to the Indian capital to demand their right to land, water and livelihood, had made them like one big family.
The participants, who came from villages across India, forgot the different regions they came from as they walked together a distance of 322 km to the national capital from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
With the government accepting their demands, it was time to celebrate, but there was also the knowledge that they may probably never see one another again.
“I feel some special kind of bond between all of us gathered here. We feel for each other because we share the same problems. I will remember this ‘yatra’ all my life,” said an emotional Ranglal Jatav of Charka village, Gwalior, as he prepared to go home.
“What can be a better Diwali gift than this one (the government agreeing to their demands)? With access to livelihood one can now dream of a better future ahead,” said another marcher from Gwalior.
The atmosphere at the Ram Lila ground was relaxed Monday evening. Children played, women chatted, some were taking a bath and washing clothes near water tankers, while some dressed up in ethnic attire joined in the singing and dancing to folk songs as the celebrations went on.
Bowing to the demands of the marchers, the government announced Monday it was setting up a committee to suggest land reforms and fast track courts to settle land disputes.
“With the government listening to us, the celebrations are going on in a big way,” Birendra Kumar, one of the coordinators of the organising Ekta Parishad, told IANS.
Rallyists sang and danced in front of an altar with the photograph of Mahatma Gandhi.
“Marchers are intoxicated by the joy of winning, they are singing and dancing with fervour,” added Kumar.
Decked in a florescent pink sari and a beaded necklace around her neck, 30-year-old Vyajayanti Jatav was joyful: “I am visiting Delhi for the first time and it has turned into a memorable journey.”
Seven of the marchers lost their lives on the way, some were injured. But there is no regret now, as the landless villagers have got what they were clamouring for – their right to land, water, electricity and employment.
At a small tent, food was being cooked. Sangeeta Jawalkar, 35, mother of three, was sitting amid 20 white-coloured bags. She has left her children back home but doesn’t regret it.
“Nothing could have been as big and important as this problem. When a woman takes the Durga roop (Hindu goddess) and steps out of her house, every problem gets solved,” said Jawalkar, who belongs to Maharastra.
Nearly half of the protestors return home Monday.
Kumar stated the marchers plan to celebrate the ‘big day’ every year on Oct 29.