Shubhangi Derhgawen on Instagram: "News from Hanumangarh or Tibbi probably never reached you just like the protests against E20 that went almost entirely unnoticed. And now, an entire village’s internet has been shut down so their voices don’t travel beyond their borders. When a state responds to dissent with this level of repression, can we really believe it has people’s interests at heart? Yes, development projects and new initiatives are important. And yes, communities often respond with caution that’s natural. But after what happened in Punjab, isn’t it obvious that some kind of transparent mechanism, dialogue, or grievance process must be offered to these people? Silencing a village is not governance. It’s avoidance. And avoidance always comes at a cost."
The villagers of Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, are concerned about an ethanol plant that has been set up without their consent and transparency. The plant's environmental clearance was granted without public consultation, and locals claim that the approval process was rushed and non-transparent. The villagers are worried about the impact on groundwater, soil quality, and agriculture in the region. The Indian government's lack of transparency and accountability in developmental projects is being questioned. A public action committee has filed a petition in the National Green Tribunal seeking clarifications about the project.
