Capital City Amaravati: The might of government fails before grit of women frontline fighters

It was on December 17, 2019, Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy made a statement on the Floor of the Assembly about three capitals. Since then, women and farmers have been agitating despite the harassment and suppression by the government.

The farmers and women continued the struggle despite the government's repression, humiliation, heckling, police brutality, arrests, lathi charge, and many more. The capital area continues to reverberate with slogans for one State and one capital.

The movement that started in 29 villages against shifting of capital from Amaravati to Visakhapatnam is now extended to the rest of the State. The agitation by the Amaravati Parirakshana Samiti Joint Action Committee inspired people across the State. The statement that capital would be shifted to Visakhapatnam had shocked everyone, particularly the farmers in Amaravati area. More than 110 people have died of cardiac arrest. It caused heartburn to many more. The farmers rue that they gave their fertile lands to the government believing that they would develop a city. They have lost their bread and butter now.

The relationship of farmers with the land is inseparable. It is like the relation between a child and mother. Still they sacrificed their lands for the cause of building a capital for the State.

Most of these are small and marginal farmers. But, today by proposing to shift the capital, the government is doing injustice to them and hence they are on a warpath.

Significantly, women are at the forefront of the movement facing challenges from various quarters. They were arrested and beaten up by the police. Still, they are at the frontline fighting for the capital from Amaravati.

In spite of repressive measures, the women and farmers have been fighting for the cause with more dedication. The government could not silence the farmers and women.

The government instead of recognising the sacrifices of the farmers had dragged them on to the streets. Amaravati is not a place for the people of 29 villages. It is the capital of the people of 13 districts. It is time for the democratic people, intellectuals and others to support Amaravati and the agitation.

It is just selfish politics that made the Chief Minister to talk about three capitals. He is pushing the state into a deep crisis. His cruel politics have been the cause of worry for the people of the state.

(The author is the member of the AP Congress Coordination Committee)