Police and protestors clash at future site of Tata Nano plant
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Tata Nano
Raze 1,000-acres of farmland to build an automobile factory, and somebody is going to protest. Even in India. The automaker is Tata, and the protesters numbered at least 1,000 strong as they went head-to-head against police in eastern India yesterday at the future manufacturing site of the Tata Nano (rumored to be the world's cheapest car at just $2,380). The protests are rooted deeper than just "open space" issues. In fact, the real tension is between India's ruling party, and the communist-run government in West Bengal where the plant is to be located. The farmers are unwilling to part with their agricultural livelihood, while the government continues to promote industry. After blocking a highway for a few hours, the stick-wielding protesters were dispersed without injuries. Once again, progress wins out over pastures.
Gallery: Tata Nano
[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
iSpec 2:43PM (8/21/2008)
Hilariously small wheels. Hilariously entertaining. Not so funny if you get in an accident with a real car.
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ale 4:56PM (8/21/2008)
what real car? the only thing they got that moves faster than a rick-shaw is a loaded, no i mean really, busting from the seams, bus
Swede 2:47PM (8/21/2008)
Better journalism please, less bias.
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Smegley 2:53PM (8/21/2008)
Commie government? Haha! The "people" don't stand a chance when commie's run the show. Not like they'll ever learn this, though.
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VPN 7:00PM (8/21/2008)
Tekdemon and Smegley
"In fact, the real tension is between India's ruling party, and the communist-run government in West Bengal where the plant is to be located."
- that means the commie govt. supports the farmers who are protesting the Central govt. which is not communist and is in favor of acquiring the land for Tata.
Todd 3:04PM (8/21/2008)
"Can't we just get along?" - Rodney King
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TJ 3:05PM (8/21/2008)
Clearly one of the worst posts in AB history. Ever. Really. This was horrible. Can I please have the last 120 seconds of my life back? I actually think I am dumber after reading this post.
AB, I can safely speak for EVERYONE here when I say, "Really? You can do much, much, much better than this."
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JEziquiel 6:13PM (8/21/2008)
seriously.
I'm not expecting Baley, Kitman or even Clarkson... even so, take a journalism class or three please. I've read better high school book reports.
Spike 3:12PM (8/21/2008)
Hope it comes with traction control to eliminate wheel spin on acceleration.
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Dave 3:15PM (8/21/2008)
When the US Supreme Court ruled taking private property by eminent domain for comercial purposes was legal, we reduced ourselves to less enlightened governments.
But didn't we set a precident with the Indians several centuries ago?
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paul34 4:52PM (8/21/2008)
Eminent domain also requires that whoever condemns that private property reimburse the owner for the fair market value of the property. Not sure if that's the case in India, though.
At any rate, we did indeed set a precedent a few centuries ago. Except, instead of cash for their property, usually we just exchanged gunfire and murder. Same thing, right? This is America, goddamit!
3seriesisking 3:40PM (8/21/2008)
I am giving a big middle-finger to progress right now.....an especially malice one because a Tata is invloved....
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deshpak 3:56PM (8/21/2008)
All this trouble over a car that most Indians are not looking forward to seeing on their already congested streets. I came across one of these tin boxes on a recent trip to India this summer. Video link below:
http://www.livevideo.com/video/Thundercat98/7DEBDA62FA47423B8FA0C51FDE1F0A6A/ta-ta-to-the-nano.aspx
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ASEVENSEE4 3:39AM (8/22/2008)
Wow is the paint already chipping? Excellent...
Monkaroo 4:07PM (8/21/2008)
Top cornering speeds 10 mph. Those wheels are a joke. Can you imagine a full load of passengers with those tiny buttons for wheels.
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paul34 4:50PM (8/21/2008)
Ok, before the peanut gallery comes in with their ignorant cries of COMMUNISM OMG!!1111~~~ (oh wait, they already did), everyone should know that there are "communists" in India, but they really don't mean anything close to what Americans think of "communism." It's just a name. Yes, you see all the symbols in certain "communist" towns, including large hammer and sickle statues, but its just a name.
It's not red october, relax guys.
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Ferd 12:45PM (8/23/2008)
Paul, how old are you? If you think communism is dead, think again. Russia is just waiting to step back into her role as the great communist leader. China is communist. Vietnam, and a host of other countries are communist. If you think communism is just a name, you need to go where the fighting is, and watch how the commies control people. Think China and Russia are our buddies? Think again. Have a great day.
tekdemon 5:50PM (8/21/2008)
Wtf are you talking about. The Communists won because the protestors gave up protesting. Who do you think took their land to go build the Tata factory on?!?
You sir, are an idiot.
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rebeldriver5 5:53PM (8/21/2008)
Those wheels you can find them at Home Depot, isle 7, near the BBQ grills and pottery.
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gtdrifter 6:12PM (8/21/2008)
Communism = Rotary engine
They both work in theory.
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