For over 922 days, villagers in Parandur and Ekanapuram, Tamil Nadu, have been protesting a proposed Greenfield Airport. These residents, mostly farmers, are determined to protect their land, jobs, and way of life. The airport project threatens to displace them, leading to a long and difficult struggle with the Tamil Nadu government. This protest shows the challenges of balancing growth with the need to protect rural communities.
The villagers are against the project because of its serious impact on their lives. Many families have farmed and lived in this area for generations, their lives closely connected to the land. The proposed airport would not only move them from their homes but would also destroy their income and cultural history. One resident named Kumar said, with tears, “Mahatma Gandhi, whom the nation calls its father, once said that villages are the backbone of our country. But now, they are crushing our village in the name of the country’s development.” This statement clearly expresses the community’s feelings. Their almost three-year protest highlights how strongly they oppose the project.
Furthermore, this protest is more than just a fight for land. It has become a powerful example of resisting large development projects that ignore the rights of local people. The villagers have repeatedly spoken about their worries, but the government has not addressed their concerns. This situation shows the delicate balance between progress and protecting cultural heritage and the ways farmers make a living. The future of Parandur and Ekanapuram is uncertain, as the community prepares to reach 1000 days of continuous protest against the airport project.