Bethora Villagers Threaten Protest Over Delay in Special Gram Sabha on Codar IIT Issue

Furious over the ‘delay tactics’ to address the Indian Institute of Tech nology (IIT) issue in Codar, Bethora residents have threatened to lead a protest march to the Panchayat of fice or even to Sarpanch’s residence if the local body fails to convene a special gram sabha on September 28 as they offered prayers to the deities to protect the village from destruction. Devendra Chari, a local, said, “Villagers had submit ted a memorandum to the Ponda Block Development Office (BDO) on Septem ber 19, and to the Bethora Panchayat, requesting a special gram sabha on Sep tember 28 to discuss the IIT issue. “ He accused the sarpanch of trying to stall and adopt “delaying tactics” and claimed that politicians are pressuring the Sarpanch. The locals expect the gram sabha to pass a reso lution opposing the IIT in Codar. Chari mentioned that a fortnightly panchayat meet ing had discussed the issue and decided to call a gram sabha on September 28; however, the Sarpanch has not yet signed the notice for the meeting. He said that if the sar panch is unwell, the charge should be given to the dep uty, or to any panch mem ber if the deputy is also unavailable, to preside over the special gram sabha. Dnyaneshwar Khande parkar, a villager, warned that if the panchayat fails to convene the gram sabha on September 28, locals would lead a protest march to the panchayat office and warned that if no decision is reached, they would also march to the Sarpanch’s residence. Meanwhile, attempts to contact the secretary and sarpanch for their reactions proved futile. Earlier on, Bethora locals offered “gharane” (prayers) to all three deities to “drive away IIT and protect the village”. Locals believe the special gram sabha has been delayed due to the in fluence of political leaders. Villagers gathered at the Langdeshwar Temple, where, with the help of a local priest, they offered shreefal to the deity. Dur ing the prayer, they urged the deity to bestow wis dom upon politicians to relocate the IIT from the village and save Codar from destruction. The villagers expressed concerns that the proposed IIT would be built on agricultural land, threatening their livelihood and blocking traditional pathways and passages used by locals. They, there fore, implored the deity to protect the village from de struction.