Activist booked under sedition for book on river linking, vows to clear name

According to the police, Jayaraman released a 48-page booklet - ‘Nathigalai Inaippum Aarugalai Pidungi Virkkum India’ (Interlinking of rivers and India snatching and selling its rivers) that talks about the hidden agenda of transferring the rivers under the control of the Corporate companies that would ultimately result in farmers and public buying water. 

The book was released on October 22 at Mayiladuthurai in the presence of cine Director V Gowthaman and Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam leader Kolathur Mani. However, on Sunday, Mayiladuthurai police registered a case against Jayaraman under IPC Section 153B (1)(b) (for speaking against sovereignty and national integration). “The charges are baseless and I would face them legally. 

The book was written in the Tiruchy Central Prison where I was lodged after the arrest for protesting against ONGC project in Kathiramangalam. The book deals with how the river linking project would affect the farmers and the public”, Prof Jayaraman said. He also claimed that a fund of Rs 5.60 lakh crore was allocated for linking of rivers earlier but now, the estimate has risen to Rs 11 lakh crore. 

“The corporate companies are funding for this project and in return, the rivers will be under their control and the farmers and public have to buy water from these corporate companies and the book deals with these problems,” Jayaraman further said. The activist also said that the police have not told him about the case so far. “They may come to arrest me and only then will I be informed about the case,” he said.