The Singur Showdown

Things are at a boiling point at Singur, a small farming village in West Bengal. The farmers, on whose land, Tata Motors is deciding to build a Factory for their unique Car, are planning to march to Kolkatta. Trinamool Congress Party chief Mamta Banerjee, along with other Parties have staged rallies, while Mamta Banerjee has decided to go on a Hunger strike. All this is posing a dilemma to Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the Chief minister of West Bengal. The standoff is continuing, but it seems that the damage to the Tata's has been done. There is speculation that they may reconsider their decision. This controversy has perhaps highlighted the problems of Capitalism and the dilemmas that India's growing economy might have to face.

The Singur standoff has symbolized the negative impact of Capitalist ventures, with Farmers land being requisitioned for use by Industries for their benefits. With the arrest of Prominent Social Activist Megha Patkar, the situation has gone from bad to worse. Even worse, she was turned away from the site and was not allowed to meet up with the protestors to express her solidarity. This time, however, the Farmers seem to be holding up their own, and their agitation has not fizzled out, and is all set to reach Kolkatta.

This is not the first time that large Capitalist companies have faced the brunt of Social Activists and Farmers. The Coca-Cola agitation in Kerala was an example of one MNC facing the brunt of the ordinary people. This time, the Tatas have been at the recieving end, and this unlike the Coca-Cola campaign, looks to have an outcome rather than a suppression.

Should the Singur showdown be labelled as a Capitalism versus Socialism fight? Not yet. The nation is watching this event closely, and its outcome will decide the fate that Peasents and Farmers have in the New India. Are they destined for more ruin, as in the case of the rising numbers of Suicide are concerned? Are they always going to be on the wrong side of the fight, if large Corporates show their muscle? Is this the time when the Real India speaks out? Only the events of the coming days will give us an indication.