From Chita Andolan to Jal Satyagrahas: Why the Ken-Betwa project has upset MP tribals

Over 30,000 tribal families in Madhya Pradesh's Bundelkhand region face displacement from the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project, India's first river-linking initiative.

The Chita Andolan (symbolic gallows protest) and Jal Satyagraha (standing in river water) were forcefully ended by the administration citing rising water levels.

Activist Amit Bhatnagar suspended an 18-day hunger strike after the government assured a fresh survey to include those left out of rehabilitation.

The project aims to provide irrigation, drinking water, and power to drought-prone Bundelkhand, but tribals say it threatens their land, forests, and livelihoods.

Protests highlight unresolved compensation disputes and inadequate rehabilitation for affected communities.