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Aamir Khan in new avatar, supports Narmada, Bhopal victims
Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) Film star Aamir Khan Friday turned environmental activist as he strongly came out in support of evacuees of the Narmada dam and the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy who have been protesting here demanding rehabilitation and adequate compensation.
    

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"I do not know about the issue completely so I would not like to comment on whether the height of the dam should be raised or not. But what I know is that thousands of people have been affected due to the building of the dam (in western India) and they have not been given proper rehabilitation by the government," said the film star, who was mobbed by the media and a large crowd that came to see him in his new avatar.

"This is an emotional reaction after seeing the struggle of the activists," he said about his presence among the activists at the Jantar Mantar near the business district of Connaught Place.

He added: "I was not aware of the agitation of the two groups but last week when I was in Delhi, I saw these people sitting at the Jantar Mantar and came to know about them." 

Khan was accompanied by his co-stars and director of the recently released hit film "Rang De Basanti". 

"I wanted to come and meet them, and I also asked my friends to come and support the cause for which these activists have been on fast for so many days," he said. 

The star's support for the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) activists came a day before the cabinet is expected to meet and discuss the issue. 

A fact-finding team sent by the government to visit the villages in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra that would be affected due to the construction of the dam has returned and is expected to present its report at the cabinet meeting.

Well-known environmental activist Medha Patkar has been on an indefinite hunger strike since March 29 against the raising of the height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam. The activists of NBA allege that over 35,000 people, displaced by the dam, have not been rehabilitated. 

Khan also appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to give the protesters proper attention and time so that they can present their problems before him.

"I request the prime minister to give them proper rehabilitation and compensation according to the norms. Every Indian in the country has the right to get proper food, land and employment and the government should give these people the kind of agricultural land promised to them and source of employment," he said. 

"The farmers who have been displaced should be rehabilitated well by the government and this should happen in absolute terms and not just on paper. We know there is corruption in the society and we must come together in support of the activists," he said.

Khan added: "I have come here for the sake the farmers who give us food to eat and it is the responsibility of the government to rehabilitate these people," said Khan. 

Speaking in support of the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984, the actor said that people have been demanding basic rights like safe drinking water and compensation, which they have not been given by the government even though it has been over 20 years of the tragic incident. 

  
Gujarat protests will not dissuade me: Aamir Khan
Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, April 16 (IANS) Film star Aamir Khan Sunday said protests against him by political parties in Gujarat would not dissuade him from backing those opposed to the controversial Sardar Sarovar dam project in that state.

"I am amazed and shocked (by the protests)," Aamir told news channel CNN-IBN. "They (the people of Gujarat) should understand what I am saying."

"I won't be dissuaded by these protests," he asserted.

The screening of Aamir's latest hit "Rang De Basanti" was stopped across Gujarat and his effigies were burnt in many cities there Saturday, a day after he expressed solidarity with members of the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) staging a sit-in protest in New Delhi.

The dam on the Narmada river in central Gujarat is expected to solve the water problem in drought-prone parts of the state.

But NBA and other critics have opposed the project, saying adequate steps had not been taken by the government to rehabilitate the thousands of people, mainly tribals and small farmers, who have been displaced by the dam.

Aamir said: "The people of Gujarat should know I have only love and respect for them. These demonstrations are staged by political parties. Everybody can see the TV footage of protests, the parties have collected a bunch of hoodlums."

In Gujarat, the Narmada dam is considered the "lifeline" of the state and is an emotional issue. The youth wings of both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress have led demonstrations against the actor.

But Aamir clarified he fully supported developmental works in Gujarat.

"I have shot (Oscar-nominated) 'Lagaan' in Kutch, staying there for six months. I know the water problem there. But I am also for farmers who are displaced. They must be rehabilitated properly, and not on paper."

Referring to "Rang De Basanti", a film about the awakening of the younger generation to their social responsibilities, Aamir said: "The film has affected me. We should voice our concerns, we should protest to the politicians."

He called on the prime minister and the chief ministers of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra - the four states that will benefit from the Sardar Sarovar dam - "to take the responsibility of the displaced farmers".
 

Boycott products Aamir endorses: Gujarat Congress (LEAD)
Indo-Asian News Service

Ahmedabad, April 15 (IANS) The youth wing of Gujarat's opposition Congress Saturday called for a boycott of the products endorsed by film star Aamir Khan after he voiced support to those displaced by the Narmada dam project, even as a film starring him was targeted by various parties.

A small group of Youth Congress workers here burnt the posters of Khan and broke bottles of Coca Cola - endorsed by him, claiming that they would not allow the sale in the state of the brands endorsed by him.

"We have requested the dealers of Innova Toyota cars and Coke that they should remove Aamir Khan's posters and request the companies to freeze advertisements featuring the star who has taken a stand against the state," said Youth Congress city president Rajesh Brahmbatt.

On Friday, in a show of support to the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA, Save Narmada Movement), Khan had visited the protesters who have been staging a sit-in at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. He appealed to the government to rehabilitate and compensate those who would be displaced by the dam.

Although Khan had refused to comment on the issue of raising the height of the dam and limited himself to the issue of rehabilitation, political parties in Gujarat got an opportunity to demonstrate that they would brook no interference on the Narmada issue - seen as the 'lifeline' of the state.

The protesters demanded that the star should apologise before "the people of Gujarat and until he doesn't say sorry to us, we won't allow him to enter the state."

Earlier, the youth wing of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), came out in strength to stop the screening of Aamir's film "Rang De Basanti" in the city.

Youth Congress workers staged demonstrations in Vadodara and Surat and burnt effigies of the film star and pulled down the posters of the film.

"We have repeatedly been saying that we will not tolerate any interference on the Narmada issue. How dare Aamir Khan speak against the project? Now let him face the wrath of the Gujarati people for his unwanted interference," said Harshad Patel, a Youth Congress worker in Vadodara.

"After stopping screening of Aamir's film in the multiplexes, we will see to it that no other cinema hall runs his movie," said BJP youth wing general secretary Amit Thaker.

"Even theatre owners themselves want to pull down film posters and stop screening of Aamir's film because sentiments of Gujaratis are attached to the Narmada project. If Aamir Khan wants to ally with the anti-Narmada lobby, there is no place for him at least in Gujarat," he added.

The latest controversy over the Narmada project arose after Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz spoke of the need to review the Narmada Control Authority's (NCA) decision of last month permitting a hike in the height of the Sardar Sarovar dam, under construction on the Narmada river in central Gujarat, from 110.64 metres to 121.92 metres. 

The NBA led by Medha Patkar has been opposing the decision, alleging that the people to be displaced at the targeted height had not yet been provided resettlement and rehabilitation, as directed by a Supreme Court judgement.

Aamir faces ire of Narmada dam supporters in Gujarat
Indo-Asian News Service

Ahmedabad, April 15 (IANS) The youth wings of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress in Gujarat Saturday came together to vent their anger against film actor Aamir Khan who has voiced strong support for those displaced by the Narmada dam project.

The BJP youth wing was out in strength to stop the screening of Khan's film "Rang De Basanti" in the city. Youth Congress workers staged demonstrations in Vadodara and Surat and burnt effigies of the film star and pulled down posters of his film.

On Friday, in a show of support to the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA, Save Narmada Movement), Khan had visited the protesters who have been staging a sit-in at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. He appealed to the government to rehabilitate and compensate those who would be displaced by the dam.

Although Khan had refused to comment on the issue of raising the height of the dam and limited himself to the issue of rehabilitation, political parties in Gujarat got an opportunity to demonstrate that they would brook no interference on the Narmada issue.

"We have repeatedly been saying that we will not tolerate any interference on the Narmada issue. How dare Aamir Khan speak against the project? Now let him face the wrath of the Gujarati people for his unwanted interference," said Harshad Patel, a Youth Congress worker in Vadodara.

"After stopping screenings of Aamir's film in the multiplexes, we will see to it that no other cinema halls run his movie," said BJP youth wing general secretary Amit Thaker.

"Even theatre owners want to pull down film posters and stop screening of Aamir's film because sentiments of Gujaratis are attached to the Narmada. If Aamir Khan wants to ally with the anti-Narmada lobby, there is no place for him at least in Gujarat," he added.

The Narmada controversy arose after Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz spoke of the need to review the Narmada Control Authority's (NCA) decision permitting raising the height of the Sardar Sarovar dam, under construction on the Narmada river in south Gujarat, from 110.64 metres to 121.92 metres. 

The NBA led by Medha Patkar has been opposing the decision to raise the height of the dam. The activists allege that over 35,000 people, displaced by the dam, have not been rehabilitated.