Noida trouble mirrors failure of Political process: Dr. JP

The violent peasant agitation against land acquisition in Greater Noida, on the doorstep of Delhi, should serve as a wake-up call for both the Union and State Governments to mend their ways, said Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan in a media statement.

The Greater Noida trouble underlines that the political process has lost its capacity to resolve issues peacefully. The purpose of politics is to reconcile conflicting interests harmoniously. However, by viewing politics merely in terms of vote banks and electoral victories, political parties have undermined and de-legitimized the political process, Dr. JP said.

Dr. JP suggested that fair compensation for land acquired, acquisition of more land than necessary for allotment of developed sites to displaced persons, and skill promotion and job placement would go a long way in preempting unrest.