Villagers have been protesting against the Mallana Sagar irrigation project for 515 days now, and their spirits are dampened because the protest has been dragging.A viral song, released on the 500th day of the protest, describes the struggle that the villagers have gone through so far, and calls the government ‘exploitative.’
Porata patimanu choopinadhi ra kalisi vunde taattu (It showed the fighting spirit for everyone on how to stay together)
Yele paalakulu chestunnaru mosamani pasi katti cheppinadhi deshaniki anthatikki (It sensed the wrongdoings of the rulers in power and exposed it across the country)
Dopidi prabhuthvam pai chesthunadhi poraattam (It is fighting against the exploitative government)
Kaare kaneeru thudichendhuku aaratam (it shows curiosity to wipe the tears)
Ooruni kaapadaka Uppenai lesinaaru (To save the village they rose like a wave)
“People have just become accustomed to pain, and are in no mood to fight the government. To rekindle the spirit of fighting, I wrote and sang this song,” says Bakki Srinivas, the lyricist and singer.
Srinivas believes that songs are key to any agitation, especially long ones, so he did his part to boost their morale.
“I am not against KCR, but we definitely feel betrayed,” he goes on to add.
Villagers belonging to 14 villages have been protesting against this project, and have now been doing so for over 500 days. They have been feeling neglected by the media and rights organisations, and have been on a relay hunger strike for 515 days now.
Srinivas goes on to add that the villagers of Erravally have lost the will to fight, but the villagers of Vemulaghat are still determined to fight.
“Vemulaghat is a beautiful village, and so are the people. I just wanted to write the song on how the government has made our lives uncertain,” he says.
Talking about the viral song, Srinivas says that the song didn’t officially release on any platform, but is now making the rounds on WhatsApp. “It is overwhelming,” he says.
In 2016, KCR had announced the Mallana Sagar project, an irrigation project that aimed to provide relief to the drought-prone regions in the state. However, 14 villages in Medak district would have been submerged if the project is completed.
The government had assured rehabilitation and relief measures in exchange for their land. The villagers, however, refused to leave the village. The issue is currently in court.