Environment, Adivasi Groups Back Chita Andolan Protest Relaunch Over Ken-Betwa Project
Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh: Adivasi women and farmers in Bundelkhand have relaunched the suspended ‘Chita Andolan’ on 3 July 2026 near the Barana river, a Ken tributary close to project-affected village Kupi in Madhya Pradesh. Led by Jai Kisan Sangathan under the title “Nyay Do Ya Mar Do – Give Us Justice or Let Us Die,” the symbolic protest involving lying on funeral pyres has returned after the state failed to honour commitments made in April 2026 when the first andolan was called off.
The Ken-Betwa River Link Project, India’s first inter-state river-linking scheme worth Rs 44,605 crore, is at the centre of the agitation. According to Amit Bhatnagar, leader of Jai Kisan Sangathan from Chhatarpur, the administration’s corrupt and dictatorial conduct has rendered 50,000 people homeless, severed from their land, rivers, forests and culture.
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“The project will destroy 46 lakh trees and submerge 5,803 hectares of the core zone of Panna Tiger Reserve,” Bhatnagar alleged that after the April suspension, authorities responded with false cases against leaders including Mangal Yadav, Kamal Adivasi and himself. “Once on bail, more cases were filed against 250+ people. No Gram Sabhas were held. No Social Impact Assessment was shared. No consent was taken,” he said.
Adivasi women leaders said fear is being spread through evictions, power cuts and demolition of schools and places of worship. Adivasi Lakshmi said the administration has failed to fulfil even a single promise made after April. “If the government cannot give us justice, let us die. We will not be deceived again,” Adivasi added.
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Experts have questioned the project’s viability. Himanshu Thakkar of SANDRP said the hydrological basis uses 2003-04 data with no fresh assessment. “Internal notes show doubts on Daudhan Dam’s yield of 4,490 to 6,590 MCM. Forest Clearance conditions remain violated. No fresh tree census was done. A 78 MW power plant is proposed inside the Panna core, in direct violation of clearance norms,” he stated.Neelam Ahluwalia of Aravalli Virasat Jan Abhiyaan warned of ecological loss. “Over 9,000 hectares of forest will be submerged, including critical habitat for tigers, ghariyals, dolphins and vultures.
The CEC itself questioned the ‘surplus’ water claim. Why not strengthen Bundelkhand’s existing 11 major and 171 minor irrigation projects instead?”Legal experts cited violations of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and PESA, 1996. Kusum Rawat of Adivasi Samanvay Manch Bharat said 8 villages in Panna had homes demolished without notice or compensation. Supporting groups demand Gram Sabhas, public disclosure of SIA reports, and a Jan Sunwai in all 22 villages facing submergence. “Rule of law, not bulldozers, must govern the Ken and Betwa valleys,” the note mentioned.
