ABSTRACT
When Adivasis are seen as enjoying the privilege of ‘more rights’ than most groups, through constitutional safeguards and various policy initiatives, why do they remain so marginalised? It is evident that Adivasis, along with their lands and resources, are seen through the prism of ‘market forces’. This chapter aptly observes that ‘investment-induced displacement’ is the most appropriate term for Adivasis’ alienation from their land and communities, since the dams, mines and factories ousting them generally lower their standard of living drastically, and therefore, for them, constitute the antithesis of real development. Displaced Adivasis find that almost none of the benefits promised to them materialise and that they lose immeasurably in terms of food security, livelihoods, the former richness of their social life and natural environment.
