Remembering Late Anupam Misra
When Ashirvachan was beginning, I connected with Late Anupam Misra, environmentalist and Gandhi Peace Foundation stalwart.
“We must not forget liquid-water whenever we talk about solid world peace.”
Misra warned that water disputes run everywhere — between villages, districts, states, even countries. From the Cauvery dispute in the South to Punjab–Haryana river tensions in the North, water has repeatedly been the cause of unrest. His phrase Peaceful Waters captured the truth that there can be no peace without peace over water.
Water as a Weapon
Sadly, his warnings echo today. After the 2019 attacks in Jammu & Kashmir, India threatened to release dam water into Pakistan — a chilling reminder that water, sacred to all life, can be reduced to a weapon. Once water becomes a tool of revenge, both morality and humanity collapse.
Punjab Floods: Politics in the Deluge
The recent Punjab floods prove how real Misra’s fears were. Citizens allege devastation was worsened by uncontrolled water releases from the Bhakra and other dams — without Punjab’s consent.
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“Punjab needs more than relief packages. We need our water back.”
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“Stolen Control — since 1966 Punjab has had no say over its dams.”
This is not only about water. It is about justice, dignity, and survival.
The Human Cost
For Punjab’s farmers, politics over water means:
- Crops destroyed overnight
- Debt deepened
- Homes submerged
- Suicides rising
Already fragile, many now feel abandoned — victims of political mismanagement. If this belief spreads, it could spark unrest and agitation that destabilises not just Punjab but the federal spirit of India.
Bharat’s Larger Loss
When water is politicised:
- Domestically: State fights state, citizen turns against citizen.
- Internationally: India’s image as a responsible climate leader erodes.
- Spiritually: We lose our blessings. Rivers revered as mothers are reduced to weapons.
As Misra warned, Bharat risks losing everything — image, peace, solace — if water becomes a pawn in politics.
The Way Forward
The idea of Peaceful Waters must guide us:
- Restore Local Control – States must manage their rivers and dams transparently.
- End Weaponization – Water should never be used as punishment, within or across borders.
- Respect Rivers – See them as living beings, not machines.
- Build Trust – Dialogue, not unilateral orders, must guide water release decisions.
Conclusion
As Punjab rebuilds after floods, Misra’s words are a warning.
“A few buckets of water” cannot be haggled over when lives are at stake.
If water is released or withheld not by need but by strategy, we drown not only fields but our humanity and future.
The time has come to reclaim Peaceful Waters. Without peace over water, there can be no peace on earth.
✍️ Shamshir Rai Luthra
Chief Editor, Ashirvachan
