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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| Original publisher | The Hindu — Top |
| Canonical URL | https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/water-must-be-a-fundamental-human-right-not-a-commodity-sainath/article71057795.ece |
| Publication time | Wed, 03 Jun 2026 20:54:12 +0530 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-06-03T15:32:10.779Z |
| Last seen | 2026-06-03T15:32:10.779Z |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
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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