Woman wandering in the pond. Awakening
Jagran correspondent, Khoda. Amidst the water shortage, political parties announced to bring Ganga water to Khoda. This gave hope to the people that the supply of Ganga water would end their problems, but the promises floated in the air and could not materialize. Now there was a need to start efforts like Bhagiratha to bring Ganga water. In such a situation, organizations started forming with the demand to remove the shortage of Ganga water and water in the area.
Initially different organizations raised their voice and gradually gave up. Now, apart from Khoda Residents Association (KRA), some young leaders of Azad Samaj Party are continuously agitating for this demand. KRA President Deepak Joshi says that on October 12, 2018, when a pregnant woman was carrying water, the organization was formed to solve this problem.
Movements were started regarding Ganga water. The movement was taken to Delhi's Jantar Mantar, where a one-day hunger strike was held. The association has conducted a large number of street meetings, meetings and public relations campaigns. Apart from this, 5100 postcards were sent to the Chief Minister.
Correspondence was carried out from a councilor to the Prime Minister, President and Chief Minister. A 14-day fast unto death was observed in the year 2023, after which an assurance was received from the Urban Development Minister in Lucknow. On June 5, 2024, the municipality was surrounded. After this, a cycle yatra was taken out from Khoda to Lucknow on 15 June 2024. On 30 March 2025, the office of Sahibabad MLA Cabinet Minister Sunil Sharma was surrounded.
There was a plan to surround the Prime Minister's Office on 26 October 2025 but the IB team interrogated for 27 hours. He told that during all these movements, he also faced actions like jail in false cases, sealing of his house for 22 days. Apart from this, many temptations were also given to him but his intention of bringing Ganga water never wavered.
Administration scared of UP border closure
If we talk about organizations for water in Khoda, Azad Samaj Party's founding member Aftab Ali has also been running this campaign for many years. He got his party's national president Chandrashekhar to write a letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Apart from this, protests were also held several times for water.
About six months ago, the organization had announced to close the UP border demanding Ganga water. Chandrashekhar was also going to participate in this, but on the day of the scheduled program, the administration and police officials assured all the leaders to find a solution to this matter soon. Other youth leaders associated with the organization are also continuously working to raise the demand for Ganga water supply through social media.
The area has a large population with KRA. This problem is not such that it cannot be solved. People are raising their voice for their rights and will continue to do so in future also.
- Amarchand, Vice President, KRA
The administration has given time till January. After this, the organization will fight the battle again with full force and will not stop until the population of 12 lakhs in the area gets relief.
- Deepak Joshi, President, KRA
Small children and women have to struggle for water. People are not getting even basic facilities. Voice has been raised for this earlier also and work will be done to raise this voice continuously.
-Aftab Ali, founding member, Azad Samaj Party
People have to struggle for a long time for water. It is known from Delhi to Lucknow that Khoda is facing water shortage but our struggle will continue.
- Keshavram, Consultant, KRA