Hundreds protested under the banner of CPIML on 13 May 2022 in front of DM Patna against the diktat to evict the poor families long-settled in the Son canal chart in Shabarinagar (Khagaul). After the protest a delegation led by Phulwari MLA Gopal Ravidas met DM Patna and demanded an immediate stay on the order to evict the poor and dalits.
The protest rally which started from Kargil Chowk was attended by CPIML leaders as well as a large number of people from the Mahadalit community in Shabarinagar. The participation of women was notable. The delegation comprised MLA Gopal Ravidas, Patna City Secretary Abhyuday, State Standing Committee member Ranvijay Kumar, State Committee member Jitendra Kumar, District Committee member Satyendra Sharma and Shabarinagar residents Baleshwar Paswan and Ratnesh Kumar.
Gopal Ravidas said that the these poor dalit families have been settled for a long time in the Son canal chart, some living in the lower part and some in the upper. Builders and dominant caste people have their eye on this land. They filed a PIL in the High Court citing obstruction of the water source and misled the High Court. Under direction from the High Court the Sub-Divisional Officer issued a notice to vacate the land.
Gopal Ravidas pointed out that the Son flyover has been constructed but that does not pose any problems; only the poor being settled there is being seen as a problem. This is nothing but a conspiracy by builders and the land mafia to grab the land. During the talks the DM acknowledged that a survey has been conducted and the administration has no problem with the poor being settled there. The DM has issued instructions to the CO that any kind of action against the poor is wrong.
In 2001 when this area was under Gram Panchayat 53 people were given Vaas parchas but afterwards the area went to the City Council and the matter still hangs in limbo. The CPIML MLA said that bandobasti (arrangements) for all the poor should be made as per the earlier basis.
The protest march was addressed by Shashi Yadav, Anita Sinha, Pannalal, Rakhi Mehta and AISA-RYA activists. The speakers said that Nitish Kumar must answer why he is silent when bulldozers are set to wreak havoc in Bihar. The orders of the court are that no poor should be evicted without prior alternate arrangements; why then are the poor being thus attacked? We demand that a new housing law be passed for the urban poor.
