Being proactive in the face of threat of eviction
In the severe winter, with the westerly winds blowing and the sun hidden behind clouds, one take refuge in their home to protect oneself. Yet here in Patna, the feudal mindset puts those who live on the periphery in a very difficult and challenging situation. It’s unbelievable that in this day and age the so called ministers and bureaucrats have become so heartless. When people are living in such difficult situations why should then they be always be forced to live in fear and uncertainty.
Listening to the painful stories of the community shook us, as some of the elderly began weeping and asking us those very difficult questions, we were born on this earth, then where should we go? In such situations we become helpless and powerless. However, to express our solidarity, we decided to be with them on Sunday morning.
We had a good meeting as many of the youth were present and we made them aware that when they are united they can defy other outside forces. We drafted a letter to the Minister, requesting him to not call the force and not to disturb their children who are answering their exams. We also need to understand the implications of eviction; which means being uprooted from their history; all the entitlements have the address of where they live. This does not seem to occur to officials.
This has been a success story as the eviction was stopped and at least for some time we feel they are saved from these atrocities. We pray that someday the ray of light will dawn and there will be a humane society.