Community Correspondents

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.

Videos from Ajeet

Uprooting a slum for corporate convenience

 
/ January 16, 2015

January 16; Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh A slum near Minto Park in Allahabad is being uprooted and its residents disposed, Community Correspondent Ajeet Bahadur reports on the political and corporate motivations driving this move.

Hard Fight for Basic Right

 
/ January 15, 2014

The banks of Yamuna will soon be known for the slums that have come up along long portions of the river. One such slum near Minto park in Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh houses 2000 – 2500 people. The area has been devoid of basic facilities for the last 35...

The Death of a River

 
/ May 31, 2012

Sasur Khaderi River in Uttar Pradesh is being encroached to extinction.