Water must be a fundamental human right, not a commodity: Sainath
P. Sainath emphasized the need to recognize water as a fundamental human right during a seminar commemorating water struggles. He argued that access to water should be prioritized over lifestyle consumption and highlighted the environmental impact of expanding data centers in India. Sainath called for a shift in policies to ensure community needs are met first in water usage.
- ▪P. Sainath called for water to be recognized as a fundamental human right, arguing it should not be treated as a commodity.
- ▪He highlighted that India, with its vast population, should follow Uruguay's example in declaring water a fundamental right.
- ▪Sainath raised concerns about the rapid expansion of data centers in India, which threaten local water supplies and exacerbate water scarcity.
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Veteran journalist and author P. Sainath has called for water to be recognised as a fundamental human right, arguing that it should never be treated as a commodity.Addressing a seminar organised by the M.P. Veerendrakumar Memorial Trust here to commemorate the water struggles led by the late M.P., particularly the Plachimada agitation against Coca-Cola, Mr. Sainath said access to water should be inseparable from the right to life.“Water must be declared a fundamental human right. It cannot be treated as a commodity, just as oxygen cannot be commodified,” he said.Citing Uruguay, which recognised water as a fundamental right years ago, Mr. Sainath said India could do the same. “If a country of just over three million people can do it, India can certainly do it.
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