Villagers participate in the “eat-to-shame” protest on the Bhanjanagar-Bhubhaneshwar highway in Odisha
They were hungry, angry and tired. But these Cyclone Phailin survivors, now battling floods in their villages in Odisha, did not let it tell on their determination to let the administration get the message that they mean business.
These villagers, from the north Ganjam district of the state, claim local officials responsible for distribution of relief and ration siphoned it off to make a quick buck. "We are tired and fed up and decided to protest by showing them that we can stand on our feet," said one man identifying himself as Ashok. "So we collected some money and bought rice and dal for the entire village and are eating on the highway. This we hope will embarrass and shake up the administration," he added.
At four different villages on the Bhanjanagar-Bhubhaneshwar highway, many villagers like Ashok staged rasta rokos and blocked the road with rocks and trees, hurled allegations against the government and then sat and ate on the highway. Hundreds of people lined up sitting on either side of the road as a few others served food on leaf-plates. In one corner, a small community kitchen was set up where huge quantities of rice and dal were being cooked.
As they ate, massive traffic jams grew on either ends of the protest. But the police didn't care much. One team of officials, who were also stuck in the jam, chose to sit and have a quick snooze. When this reporter was photographing him, his colleague driving the jeep gave him one whack on the thigh demanding he "wake up."
The eat-to-shame protest had its impact. Bhanjanagar's subdivisional deputy collector Mr Ajay Kumar Jena reached the spot trying to broker peace. "We will look into all allegations and will hold an inquiry. Meanwhile as promised by the Chief Minister we will send ration for everyone," he said.
An hour later, their mid-road lunch over and their point made, the road blocks were removed and the traffic resumed.