Contempt of Court Threat Looms: Prashant Bhushan Calls on Odisha Govt to Act on Land Allocation

Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court upheld a 2010 judgment of the Orissa High Court, which cancelled the land acquisition proceedings initiated by the Odisha government for the proposed Vedanta University project in Puri district, Odisha. This is a victory for the Vedanta University Sangharsh Samiti, a group of farmers who have been protesting against the project for many years.

Speaking at a gathering of farmers in Puri district, Prashant Bhushan, a renowned Supreme Court lawyer and activist, has warned the Odisha government to return the land to the farmers. He said that the state government has a responsibility to do so, as the intended purpose of the land allocation was not fulfilled.

Bhushan also raised concerns about the manner in which both the state and central governments have been granting mining rights to various corporate firms in Odisha. He alleged that these allocations often disregard established norms, potentially depleting mineral resources for future generations.

Activist Medha Patkar also spoke at the gathering, highlighting the importance of preserving natural flora and fauna. She underscored the ongoing struggle of locals to protect their rights over natural resources.

Leaders from the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) also criticized the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments for allocating agricultural land for the establishment of a university by the Vedanta group.