Asbestos Factory Built Against Law & Better Sense

Ajeet Bahadur
Since I was young, I’ve been involved in many movements and this is why I consider myself an activist at heart. I have been engaged in the 1989 student movement that was defending students’ rights in the university. I also attempted to fight against the Ram Mandir Andolan movement in the 1990’s. Further, when Iraq was attacked by America, I went to the rally that took in place in protest in front of American Embassy in Delhi, and I was jailed for this action. I also involved myself at the local level. When the meja katai mill (cotton mill) in Allahabad was closed down, several labourers were jobless. So I engaged myself for the defence of labourers rights. Then, I took a role in every social movement that happened around me. I fought when the potatoes were rotting in the government stores. This situation was so unjust: the government was not able to distribute the potatoes, and the farmers were crying to sell their new potato harvest. There are many causes I am ready to fight for, but the ones that are closest to my heart are casteism and regionalism. I think my engagement results from my childhood: I saw curfews and murders, and my father struggling to get a job. I often slept with an empty stomach. I am also a drama activist, I organize street performance to mobilize the people in my community. Being a community Correspondent is a way to learn a new tool for activism, and to continue fighting for my community and beyond. What I prefer when shooting is to listen to people, all their stories and experiences. Joining Indiaunheard also gave me the opportunity to explore new places, and to learn a lot.