NOTE : Many newsreports have completely confused the terms, satyagraha and jal samarpan. Currently, the protests in the Narmada Valley is a satyagraha, NOT jal samarpan. In the satyagraha (roughly translates to Search For Truth), the satyagrahis have vowed that they would stay in their houses, inspite of the rising waters of the Narmada impounded by the Sardar Sarovar Dam. In other words, if the waters reached their houses, they would rather drown than leave. In a statement on July 11, Medha Patkar and the samarpit dal announced that if further construction on the dam was carried out, (beyond the current height of 88m) without seriously addressing the issue of resettling all the people who have currently been displaced and without a new tribunal to reconsider all the substantial, fundamental issues that the Andolan has raised, they would take recourse to the ultimate form of non-violent protest, i.e. jal samarpan (sacrifice by drowning). CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS IN 1999 Feb 18 After halting construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam for more than 4 years, in an interim order, the Supreme Court of India allowed the height of the dam to be increased from 80.5 m to 88 m. This order was in part based on the affidavits filed by the various state Governments claiming that they could resettle oustees upto a height of 110m. Mar 15-17 More than 1000 people challenged the Nandurbar district officials to show them the available land for resettlement. After two days of dilatory tactics, the officials admitted that no land was available, i.e. the affidavits filed in the Supreme Court were false. NBA demands immediate stoppage of dam construction. Apr 1-8 Manavadhikar Yatra (Human Rights March) to Delhi. Thousands march to demand their Right to Life. Two day dharna in Delhi. Social Justice Minister, Ms Maneka Gandhi appoints committee to reassess claims of rehabilitation and land availability. Apr 7 Indefinite dharna by people affected by many dams (Maheshwar, Narmada Sagar etc.) in Bhopal. People demand implementation of recommendations of the MP Govt's Task Force. Apr 12 Seven start indefinite fast in Bhopal. Apr 20 German companies withdraw from Maheshwar project. May 3 Fast ends as M.P. Government accepts most demands of NBA. Independent Committee to review Maheshwar Project. M.P. Government agrees to halt further construction on the Narmada Sagar project complete alternate plans for Upper Veda and Lower Goi dams stop construction on the Maan and Jobat projects to prevent submergence Apr 20 MP Govt files a suit in Supreme Court for a new tribunal. MP Govt contends that the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal award of 1979 was inimical to MP questions the assessment of available water calls for reduction of dam height takes stock of ineffective resettlement of MP oustees in Gujarat Apr 23 Under pressure from the Govt. of Gujarat, the committee constituted by Maneka Gandhi is abruptly recalled. May 24, Jun 4 Frontline and Outlook magazines publish Arundhati Roy's essay The Greater Common Good. Jun 20 Satyagraha begins in Domkhedi (Maharashtra) and Jalsindhi (MP). People ready to face unjust submergence but will not move from their lands. July 1 Protest rally at Dediyapada by people affected by Shoolpaneswar sanctuary in Gujarat. The sanctuary is to accomodate wildlife displaced by the submergence of 11,000 hectares of forests by SSP. This sanctuary will affect people in 104 tribal villages. Jul 4-11 Nine satyagrahis observe fast to protest against the injustice of submergence and as a mark of the intensification of the non-violent struggle. Jul 8 Silt deposits due to SSP traps and kills a seven year old child. Jul 12 Narmada Solidarity Day : Thousands fast all over India in support of the satyagrahis. Jul 29 "Rally For The Valley" departs from Delhi for a week long solidarity journey across the Valley. Aug 3 After travelling for a week across the Narmada valley, 400 participants in the "Rally For The Valley" reach satyagraha sites at Jalsindhi and Domkhedi. International Solidarity Day. International organisations protest against the dam and voice their support to the satyagrahis. Aug 11 After daring SSP submergence waters for over 15 hours, 62 satyagrahis are arrested in Domkhedi. Arundhati Roy returns to Jalsindhi to reaffirm solidarity. SSP backwaters destroys more than 300 farms and some houses in the three states. Sep 13-20 People's organisations on a Narmada Sahayog Yatra (Solidarity March) to Delhi from different parts of the country. The marchers will reassert the issues raised in the valley and the rights of the downtrodden over life and resources. They meet the President and request him to intervene in the matter and protect the constitutional rights of tribal communities in the valley. Sep 17 Second Submergence starts. 69 arrested in Pipalchop. Sep 18 Medha Patkar and 60 others detained in Pipalchop while they braved submergence waters. Sep 21 Medha and other satyagrahis face submergence waters for more than 28 hours. Police arrest them when waters reach neck-deep levels. 300 other protesters are roughed up and detained in Domkhedi. Waters enter Luharia's house, for the first time in Jalsindhi, Madhya Pradesh. Sep 23 386 protesters released in Dhadgaon start a dharna demanding senior state officials should answer their fundamental questions. People are violently repressed by police and arrested. People refuse to bail themselves out and are held in Dhule Central Jail. Section 144 imposed in Akrani taluk to prevent supporters from arriving there. The Prime Minister writes to Medha Patkar and the NBA while in custody. Sep 29 District Court, Nandurbar quashes preventive detention of Medha and others and rules it a violation of fundamental rights. Oct 02 Medha and five others start indefinite fast inside Dhule jail. ... and the struggle continues.