Amit Bhatnagar

Amit Bhatnagar, left his study of Architecture to move to a life of struggle and mobilisation for social justice. He has keen interest in tribal resistance, art, music, culture, history and economy, its knowledge and dissemination. Founding member of the extraordinary tribal movement in Alirajpur district of western Madhya Pradesh, the KMCS, Amit is also, along with his wife Jayshree Bhalerao, the founding member of Adharshila Learning Centre, a school for tribal children in Sendhwa, Madhya Pradesh. Many villages which were a part of KMCS were also on the banks of Narmada and KMCS became an integral part of the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA). Amit has played a critical role in the formative years of the NBA. Many activists of KMCS continue to play an important role in the NBA.

Amit Bhatnagar in his interview here shares his vast experience in building a people’s organisation in the tribal areas of Alirajpur district of M.P. He explains the formation of KMCS, the nature of the state and the social –political system that marginalises the tribals. Amit talks in particular about the role of music in empowerment of people, the nature of different people’s movements in the region and the similarities and differences between them. He talks in detail about the involvement of KMCS in the formation of the NBA and challenges faced. He reflects on the many strategies of the NBA. Amit also critically examines the NBA, talks about its strengths, limitations and achievements.
Although it is important to listen to the entire interview put up here as the issues Amit speaks on are interlinked, those interested in any specific strategy or issue, could go directly to the section as marked below.
About Amit and his early years in the tribal area of Alirajpur: 0:00:00 to 0:08:00
Issues faced by the tribal villages of Alirajpur; challenges in building a people’s organisation; the nature of KMCS and its relation with different movements in the region: 0:08:00 to 0:35:00
Significance of cultural events in building people’s organisation: 0:35:00 to 0:45:00
The SSP, early involvement of KMCS in the issue and the formation of the NBA: 0:45:00 to1:10:00
Involvement of KMCS in the NBA and the challenges therein: 1:10:00 to 1:40:00
Reflection on the strategies of the NBA: 1:40:00 to 2:09:00

I am thankful to Parthiv Shah for a photo in this interview. The other photos are as acknowledged in the Support Network.

Interview Duration: 2:10:00

Language: Hindi, Subtitles in English

Subtitles can be switched on and off by clicking ‘CC’ button at the bottom right of the video