Delhi court penalized renowned Indian activist Medha Patkar on Monday to five months imprisonment in a defamation case initiated by the current Delhi lieutenant governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena, in 2001. Patkar, a founding member of the Narmada Bachao Andolan (Save the Narmada River Movement), faced charges under section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The court also ordered her to pay compensation of INR 1,000,000 ($11,977.50) to Saxena.
In its ruling, the Delhi court emphasized the severe impact of Patkar’s allegations on Saxena’s public image and credibility, noting that her claims, which included accusations of hawala transactions and compromising Gujarat’s interests for foreign entities, led to significant personal and professional hardships for Saxena. These hardships stemmed from over two decades of legal battles, which were initiated in Ahmedabad court and later transferred to Delhi in 2003 following a Supreme Court order.
Patkar’s accusations against Saxena arose during the period of unrest related to the Sardar Sarovar dam project, under the Narmada Bachao Andolan movement (NBA). Saxena, then president of the National Council of Civil Liberties, had issued an advertisement against the NBA in 2000, prompting Patkar’s retaliatory press notice.
The NBA emerged as a significant social movement protesting against the construction of dams across the Narmada River. The movement, led by Patkar, involved adivasis (tribals), farmers, local communities, and social activists. Among its notable successes was compelling the World Bank, the financing agency for the project, to establish the Morse Commission to review the project’s compliance with environmental and social policies. This critical review ultimately led the World Bank to cease funding in 1993, marking a significant victory for the movement.
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