✍️ The Ganga Finally Descends; The Blood Ablution on the Shivlinga is Purified

Success to the Bhagirath Efforts of People's Representatives

Finally, the Ganga has descended into the drought-prone eastern region of Sinnar through the flood canals (Pur Charas). The gently flowing streams of water purified the land. Every particle of the soil and every heart on that soil was thrilled. The Bhagirath efforts of the common people and the elected representatives, spanning many decades, have finally succeeded. In every flowing stream, the feeling of the drops of sacrifice shed in the blood ablution was realized. That entire sequence of events from 22 years ago, by the reverse turn of the wheel of time, appeared before the eyes exactly as it happened. Those enchanted days were remembered, and the eyes welled up with tears of joy.

The History of Struggle and the Witnessing Generation

In fact, many veterans, along with the common people, have worked very hard since 1972 to end the drought in the eastern part of Sinnar. The Sinnar riot that resulted from this water struggle, the court set on fire during that riot—all these events are now being flowed by these streams as streams of memory. Our generation is from the 80s, but the water agitation that started in the latter half of 2002 by our generation brought us into close contact with many contemporary elders, and the old and experienced activists who participated in those movements. As a result, the entire pre-existing history of the water movement became known. We certainly cannot forget the unprecedented contribution of the current elected representatives who have largely succeeded in resolving the water issue. But while remembering them and expressing our gratitude, we must not forget the struggles and the warriors who came before. That would be a grave injustice to them.

The Blood Ablution on the Shivlinga – A Symbol of Struggle

I still remember that revolutionary day, no, no, that revolutionary night, from the latter half of 2002, exactly as it was. It must have been around nine o'clock at night. In my field, under the cool light of the stars, I was sitting alone in solitude, contemplating and enjoying nature. Just then, my friends, the late Narayan Tukaram Pagar and Mr. Annasaheb Jayram Nirgude, came to meet me. They had come to me for a constructive discussion on the water problem. Narayan gently broached the subject. Narayan expressed Annasaheb's inner turmoil to me in his words. The topic was, of course, the water issue. That night, there was a long and deep deliberation among the three of us, and at that very moment, the battle cry for the agitation was sounded. The very next day, a meeting was organized by gathering other friends and elders from the village. The direction of the agitation was decided. Daily visits were made to different villages in the surrounding area for the publicity and propagation of the movement. Funds began to be raised for the agitation. The Shetkari Vikas Sangharsh Samiti (Farmers' Development Struggle Committee) was established. One day, everyone went to meet the senior social activist Annasaheb Hazare in his village of Ralegan Siddhi. Annasaheb provided invaluable guidance. Inspired by Annasaheb, we returned to the village. Many enthusiastic young activists started participating in the movement. Experienced elderly people, who had knowledge of solutions to the water problem from previous agitations, began to guide us. To sharpen the agitation, the enthusiastic activists resolved to perform a blood ablution on the Shivlinga and invoke Shivshambho Shankara. Our friend, Sanjay Kalkatte, brought a razor with a new, sharp blade. Everyone gathered around the Shivlinga in front of the Shani Temple. Placing the index finger of the left hand on the Shivlinga, closing the eyes, and shouting "Har Har Mahadev," they prayed earnestly to Mahadev, the God of Gods, "Solve our water problem. Give us the strength to solve this issue!" and the razor was sharply brought down on the index finger. Streams of blood flowed, bathing the Shivlinga. Of course, society may have quickly forgotten this history of these passionate youths, which was lost in the course of time, but those painful streams of blood never allowed us youths to forget the 'mad sweet dream' of water streams.

Mumbai: The Capital of the People's Movement

May 1, 2003 – On Maharashtra Day, a fast unto death began at Azad Maidan. The volcano of determination was burning in the eyes of the activists, who were distraught with hunger and thirst. In the excitement, many youths gave their names for the fast, but could not bear the suffering of the fast. The staunch activists, strengthened by self-belief after taking vows and oaths, continued to lie there, enduring the pain of the fast. But some activists could not tolerate the hunger. Some literally went into the toilets and ate dry bread (korke), pav. Such was the severe state. In due course, a car arrived from the Ministry. The car took the activist-representatives to the Ministry. They met the then Irrigation Minister, Shri Balasaheb Thorat. He asked about the options for how the water problem would be solved. That was, of course, expected. For that, the old experienced elders had already done our homework (who are not alive to see this realized sweet dream today). The sure-shot option suggested by them (which is still only half-implemented) was presented by us in writing. That option was: For perennial water: the water from the Vaitarna, Darna, and Kadwa dam projects, in that order, should be released into the Deva River and brought to the eastern region through canals. Another option was also suggested: Increase Sinnar Taluka's share of the water in the Bhojapur dam. The Minister accepted the memorandum and called off the fast. Just two days later, the then Leader of the Opposition, Shri Narayan Rane, held a water convention at Vavi. He appealed to the public, "Make me Chief Minister again. Make the current MLAs MLAs again. Consider your water problem solved. There is no need for agitations."

The Irrigation Minister had taken notice of our agitation. However, continuous small-scale follow-up agitations were necessary for the water problem to be solved as soon as possible. But the people clearly said that the MLA (Amdaar Saheb) would solve the water problem. There was no need for agitation. At that time, we were telling the people that "The MLA will surely solve the water problem. That is his job. We have elected him for that. But it is our job to strengthen his hands so that the water problem is solved sooner. Pressure on the government will increase through the people's movement, and the MLA's work will become easier. It is difficult for MLAs sitting on the opposition benches to get work done. Moreover, even when in the ruling party, there are many internal opponents within the government. Therefore, the people's push is necessary." But the people did not listen, which resulted in the work that should have been done in a maximum of five years, taking more than twenty years to wait. Furthermore, the plan has not been fully realized. It is incomplete. We had to settle for the flood canals. Moreover, work has to be done through public contributions. No matter. The perspective that ‘the glass is half full’ is always better than ‘the glass is half empty’!

Even though the people left our side, Shambhu Mahadev always supported us. Inspired by Him, we continued to fight. Our follow-up correspondence was continuous. We were getting the answers to the letters that were not being answered through the Right to Information (RTI). The fight continued, remembering Mahadev!

Assembly Candidacy: Part of the Water Movement Itself

In the year 2009, after discussing with the youths of the water movement, I contested for the Assembly Candidacy. It was not possible for shallow thinkers to understand the purpose behind it. But the establishment had to take notice of the candidacy. Because in a close fight, every single vote was important. The water issue was highlighted. Clear indications were received that "The previous elections were fought on the capital of 'the water problem will be solved'; but the subsequent elections will be fought on the capital of 'the water problem has been solved and shown'."

A Poignant Analysis by Old Timers on the Prolonged Delay of the Water Problem: Unnecessary Change of Power:-

The people of Sinnar, instead of supporting the working representatives, precisely at the threshold of the problem being solved, pulled them down from power.

The Water Issue Highlighted in the SEZ Agitation

The year 2010 was marked by the SEZ (Special Economic Zone) agitation. All the lands in the eastern part were going to be acquired for the Japan Corridor company project. We, the youths, fiercely opposed the SEZ at that time. We delivered self-immolation warning letters from the villagers of every village to the central government, at the rate of one village per day. As a final push, we started a fast unto death in front of the Sinnar Tehsil office. The ruling party argued in favor of the SEZ, "Your area is drought-prone. Farming is not possible due to lack of water. Industries will come to your area through the SEZ. Your people will get jobs, and unemployment will be removed. Moreover, the money received as compensation for the land can be used to buy land elsewhere." The counter-argument made by the activists: "The population (people's settlement) will increase through industries. Additional water supply will have to be planned for this settlement and for the industries as well. Then, provide water for our agriculture with the same system. If water is available for agriculture, unemployment in our area will be 100% removed. You are going to take our lands at the government rate. Land at the government rate can only be obtained by the government, not by the farmers." This argument fit perfectly. The government stopped the agitation, assuring that "If the farmers oppose, we will not impose the SEZ by force." At that time, the people's representatives were in favor of implementing the SEZ project. No matter.