Issue and Opposition: Farmers from Ninder village, Jaipur complained that Jaipur Development Authority grabbed their land by coercion to construct a housing project. These plots would otherwise be used for farming for both subsistence and commercial purposes. Even though the Development Authority was offering the farmers prices for their plots, the rates were old and thus not gainful for the farmers. Hence, the farmers were suffering in two ways. First, their livelihood sources were being taken away by the local government. Second, the compensation for land appropriation that the government was ready to offer to the farmers was inadequate.
Dilemma Action: The farmers engaged in a dilemma action to protest against the government measures of land acquisition with small compensations. Known as the Zameen Samadhi Satyagraha, the farmers buried themselves waist-deep into the soil of their agricultural plots. Inspired by the Gandhian concept of non-violent resistance (Satyagraha), this unique sit-in by the farmers pushed the local government into a lose-lose position. This action was part of a larger campaign against the land-grabbing behavior of the local government.
Outcome: While sit-ins and stand-ins are common forms of non-violent resistance, a sit or stand-in performed by burying oneself partially in the soil is unique. The action attracted a lot of media attention. The farmers wanted a fresh survey of their land and to ascertain the compensation amount based on the new survey. Earlier, the local government calculated compensation based on old survey results. The Development Authority Chairperson Vaibhav accepted the farmers; demands for a new survey. There is no evidence supporting an increase in compensation after the new survey.