Uddhav plans massive anti-Jaitapur rally in Ratnagiri on March 11

The Shiv Sena and Janhit Seva Samiti will host a rally throughout Ratnagiri district on March 11 to protest against the proposed 9900MW Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant (JNPP).

Marking the first anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that triggered Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant tragedy, the organisers have chosen this rally as a platform to respond to the government’s allegations that the fundamental rights of scientists such as Anil Kakodkar were being violated.

“They (the government) want to protect the rights of Kakodkar, but are willingly violating villagers’ rights. Continuous police oppression, firing, arrests - that’s the real situation in Jaitapur. We want to bring all that out in public,” said Pravin Gavankar of the Janhit Seva Samiti.

He added that the rally had originally been planned for two days, but due to enormous police pressure, had to be cut short to one day.

“Isn’t that oppression?” he asked.

Sena MLA Rajan Salvi stated that the rally would cover the entire area of Ratnagiri, which would be affected by the JNPP.

The rally will see the involvement not just of members of the Sena, but also fisherfolk, mango farmers and others likely to be affected by the project.

“The government is saying that the Sena does not have people’s support in anti-project agitations. Let them come and see on March 11 that more than 90% of the villagers do not want this project,” said Salvi.