Bundelkhand in a state of discontent
According to a senior reporter of the HT, "Bundelkhand is in a state of discontent." His comment is logically correct. The geographical limitations of MP and UP in the Bundelkhand region are not justified. Let?s take Chitrakoot as an example
AMIT JAISWAL of the Hindustan times said that the Bundelkhand region is in a state of discontent. Here’s one example why that is true. Chitrakoot, where Indian mythology says Ram and Sita spent 11 of their 14 years of exile, is a popular pilgrimage town. The path leading up to the place is multi-coloured. The red tiles end abruptly, where Uttar Pradesh meets Madhya Pradesh. Across the border, the path continues in yellow stone.
Pilgrims have to pay three tolls just to get to the holy spot in Chitrakoot where Ram was reunited with his brother Bharat, as the road weaves in and out of UP and MP thrice. Then, once there, the holy Kamadgiri Parikrama or five kilometre circular tour around the region's 15 main temples, means the pilgrim must again cross over the border – twice.
Locals say that the administration is in a mess because of jurisdiction complications. “Only Lord Ram knows when they will create a separate state of Bundelkhand and end this absurdity,” says pilgrim guide Pandit Mitra Nath Tewari.
And, ahead of the general elections, it is also one of the 23 Bundelkhand districts – seven in UP and 16 in MP – that are demanding a separate statehood.
All 23 districts have a similar culture, traditions, language, and, above all, climatic conditions – all quite different and distinct from both UP and MP.
In fact, K. M. Panikkar, of the original States Reorganisation Commission of 1955, had earlier said that carving out a separate state of Bundelkhand was unavoidable. If this were not done, he added, then the region would face dire consequences. Well, the consequences are here.
And ahead of the national elections, coming as they have after five years of severe drought and subsequent economic collapse in the agricultural region, statehood is the top demand from the electorate on both sides of the border.
Only 45 per cent of cultivated land is irrigated in Uttar Pradesh’s drought-prone Bundelkhand region, as opposed to a state average of 76 per cent.
“In the 21st century, farmers are still dependent on nature,” says Sanjay Pandey (32), founder and president of the Bundelkhand Akikrit (Unification) Party (BAP). “Bundelkhand is full of minerals. The land is fertile, but there are no specific policies for the region.”
The BAP, a socio-political organisation born out of the recent spell of drought, contested an Assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh in November. Now, it is contesting the Lok Sabha elections too.
“Our issue is just one – statehood,” says Pandey. “It is the most practical solution to the problems we face.”
Mainstream political parties are adding their two bit too. “Bundelkhand must become a separate state now,” says Ganga Charan Rajput, a two-time MP who has just joined the Bahujan Samaj Party. Congress MLA from Jhansi, Pradeep Jain, adds, “It is unfair and unjust to keep the region divided.”
The farmers don’t understand the delay. “What does either state stand to lose?” asks Chitrakoot-based peasant, Daya Kole. “Just a few districts that no one cares about anyway,” he answers himself.
Locals say that the administration is in a mess because of jurisdiction complications. “Only Lord Ram knows when they will create a separate state of Bundelkhand and end this absurdity,” says pilgrim guide Pandit Mitra Nath Tewari.
And, ahead of the general elections, it is also one of the 23 Bundelkhand districts – seven in UP and 16 in MP – that are demanding a separate statehood.
All 23 districts have a similar culture, traditions, language, and, above all, climatic conditions – all quite different and distinct from both UP and MP.
In fact, K. M. Panikkar, of the original States Reorganisation Commission of 1955, had earlier said that carving out a separate state of Bundelkhand was unavoidable. If this were not done, he added, then the region would face dire consequences. Well, the consequences are here.
And ahead of the national elections, coming as they have after five years of severe drought and subsequent economic collapse in the agricultural region, statehood is the top demand from the electorate on both sides of the border.
Only 45 per cent of cultivated land is irrigated in Uttar Pradesh’s drought-prone Bundelkhand region, as opposed to a state average of 76 per cent.
“In the 21st century, farmers are still dependent on nature,” says Sanjay Pandey (32), founder and president of the Bundelkhand Akikrit (Unification) Party (BAP). “Bundelkhand is full of minerals. The land is fertile, but there are no specific policies for the region.”
The BAP, a socio-political organisation born out of the recent spell of drought, contested an Assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh in November. Now, it is contesting the Lok Sabha elections too.
“Our issue is just one – statehood,” says Pandey. “It is the most practical solution to the problems we face.”
Mainstream political parties are adding their two bit too. “Bundelkhand must become a separate state now,” says Ganga Charan Rajput, a two-time MP who has just joined the Bahujan Samaj Party. Congress MLA from Jhansi, Pradeep Jain, adds, “It is unfair and unjust to keep the region divided.”
The farmers don’t understand the delay. “What does either state stand to lose?” asks Chitrakoot-based peasant, Daya Kole. “Just a few districts that no one cares about anyway,” he answers himself.
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