MAHAPURUSHA SRIMANTA SANKARADEVA VISWAVIDYALAYA

PAPER CODE: (DSE)-MA-POL-03-304(A)

PAPER TITLE: THE HUMAN RIGHTS

TOPIC OF PRESENTATION: DEVELOPMENT AND

DISPLACEMENT

SUBMITTED TO, SUBMITTED BY,

DR.HEMASHRI DUWARA SMRITI SARKAR

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR ROLL NO: 15

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

MSSV, NAGAON MSSV, NAGAON

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 CONTENT
1. INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………3
2. DISPLACEMENT IN INDIAN CONTEXT……………………………………3-4
3. DEVELOPMENT, DISPLACEMENT AND HUMAN RIGHTS……………....4
4. CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………….5
5. BIBILIOGRAPHY……………………………………………………..5

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INRODUCTION
Development and displacement are two sides of the same coin. Development is essential for economic
growth and poverty alleviation, but it often comes at the cost of displacement . Each year, millions of
persons are forcibly displaced by development projects, whether dams, roads, reservoirs, or oil,
gas, and mining projects. While such projects can bring enormous benefits to society, they also
impose costs, which are often borne by its poorest and most marginalized members. Although
displaced people are often defined as those uprooted by conflict, human rights violations, and
natural or human-made disasters, they also include those displaced by development projects. The
issue of displacement is seen as a necessary evil to construct industries, infrastructures such as
dams, mining, roads, and power projects, which are intended to serve the "greater good". The
drive for land acquisition in the name of modernization and development has been the reason
behind the rise in protests by the farmers and tribal people across the country (CHAUHAN).

Displacement in Indian Context

In India, Displacement because of developmental activities has been occurring from 19th
century. Many of these developmental projects came up in mineral-rich areas, upper stream of
the rivers and coastal belts. In post-independent India, approximately three thousand big and
small dams have been constructed in the last fifty years which led to the forced eviction of
millions of people. Mining also became one of the major causes of displacement in India. A large
part of our natural resources lies in the hilly and forest areas mostly inhabited by tribals– one of
the most disadvantaged and suppressed sections of the population. Urban planning, building
infrastructure projects, industrialization etc. led displacement in India (RAAVALEE, 2021).
Here are some examples of how development projects have led to displacement:

1. Sardar Sarovar Dam Project: The Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River is one of
India's largest development projects. While it has brought irrigation and electricity to many
regions, it has also displaced thousands of people, particularly in the states of Gujarat and
Madhya Pradesh. The displacement of tribal communities and their struggles for rehabilitation
have been a contentious issue (DWIVEDI, 1999).

2. Posco Steel Plant, Odisha: The proposed steel plant by the South Korean company
Posco in Odisha led to land acquisition and displacement of local villagers. Protests by locals and
environmental concerns delayed the project for years, highlighting the tension between
development and displacement (HRUSHIKSH PANDA, 2008).

3. Land Acquisition For Special Economic Zones (Sezs) : Land acquisition for SEZs
has led to significant displacement in various parts of the country. For instance, the Singur land
acquisition in West Bengal for Tata Motors' Nano plant resulted in protests and eventual
withdrawal of the project (SAMPAT, 2010).

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4. Mumbai Metro Line 3: The construction of Mumbai Metro Line 3, which passes through
densely populated areas, has led to the displacement of several households. Efforts have been
made to provide compensation and rehabilitation to affected residents, but it remains a complex
issue (AGARWAL, 2013).

5. Hydroelectric Projects In Uttarakhand: Hydroelectric projects in Uttarakhand, such

as the Tehri Dam and the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project, have displaced local
communities and caused environmental concerns. The displacement of people from hilly regions
often has long-term social and environmental implications (AGARWAL R. , 2013).

DEVELOPMENT, DISPLACEMENT AND HUMAN RIGHTS

As we have already discussed how development and displacement is interlinked with each other,
both are also having deep link with human rights violation. As displacement has its
consequences like landlessness, joblessness, homelessness, marginalization, food insecurity, etc,
this is clearly violation of human rights. There are several ways by which we can say that
displacement can lead to human rights violations, these are:

 Forced Eviction: When people are forcibly displaced from their homes, often without
proper legal procedures or compensation, it can violate their right to adequate housing
and property. This is a clear human rights violation.
 Lack Of Access To Basic Services : Displaced individuals may struggle to access
basic services like clean water, food, healthcare, and education. This can violate their
rights to food, health, and education.
 Discrimination and Marginalization: Displaced populations may face
discrimination based on their ethnicity, race, religion, or other factors. Discrimination can
lead to violations of their rights to equality and non-discrimination.
 Violation of the Right to Asylum: Displaced individuals who seek refuge in other
countries may face obstacles in accessing the right to seek asylum. This can put them at
risk of deportation to unsafe conditions, which violates their right to seek asylum and
protection from persecution.
 Threats to Personal Security: Displaced individuals often face increased risks of
violence, including sexual and gender-based violence. This violates their right to personal
security and freedom from torture or inhuman treatment.
 Loss of Cultural Identity: Displacement can lead to the loss of cultural heritage and
identity, which is a violation of the right to participate in cultural life and the protection
of cultural heritage.
 Family Separation: Displacement can lead to family members being separated from
one another, which can be a violation of the right to family life and reunification
(ROBINSON, 2003).

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CONCLUSION
In conclusion, addressing the violation of human rights in situations of displacement is crucial to
ensure the dignity and well-being of affected individuals. Development-induced displacement is
a social problem affecting multiple levels of human organization, from tribal and village
communities to well-developed urban areas. Development is widely viewed as an inevitable step
towards modernization and economic growth in developing countries; however, for those who
are displaced, the result is most often loss of livelihood and impoverishment.

Bibliography
AGARWAL, A. (2013). MUMBAI URBAN TRANSPORT PROJECT-A MULTI DIMENTIONAL APPROACH TO
IMPROVE URBAN TRANSPORT. RESEARCH IN TRANSPORTATION ECONOMICS , 116.

AGARWAL, R. (2013). HYDROPOWER PROJECTS IN UTTARAKHAND: DISPLACEING PEOPLE AND

DESTROYING LIVES. ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL WEEKLY , 15.

CHAUHAN, T. (n.d.). LEGALSERVICEINDIA.COM. Retrieved NOVEMBER 4, 2023, from

https://www.legalserviceindia.com/legal/article-7279-displacement-for-development-in-the-era-of-
globalization.html

DWIVEDI, R. (1999). DISPLACEMENT, RISKS AND RESISTANCE:LOCAL PERCEPTIONS AND ACTIONS IN THE
SARDAR SAROVAR. DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE , 43.

HRUSHIKSH PANDA, J. P.-A. (2008). INDUSTRIALIZATION THROUGH FDI, DISPLACEMENTAND

DEVELOPMENT:POSCO-INDIA PROJECT IN ORISSA. INTERNATIONAL AREA REVIEW , 287.

RAAVALEE, A. (2021). DEVELOPMEMT INDUCED DISPLACEMENT IN INDIA. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF

MULTIDISCIPLINARY EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH , 11.

ROBINSON, W. (2003). RISKS AND RIGHTS: THE CASUSES, CONCEQUENCES, AND CHALLENGES OF
DEVELOPMENT- INDUCED DISPLACEMENT. THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTIONS-SAIS OF DEVELOPMENT-
INDUCED DISPLACEMENT , 11-15.

SAMPAT, P. (2010). SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES IN INDIA :RECONFIGURING DISPLACEMENT IN A

NEOLIBERAL ORDER? CITY&SOCIETY , 166.