Development-Induced Displacement and Marginality: Case studies from West Bengal

The term "development-induced displacement" (DID) refers to the forced expropriation of land that causes widespread loss of livelihoods due to large-scale development projects. DID is a serious social issue in India that became prominent with post-independence modernization programs and was further worsened by the 1991 neoliberal economic reforms. This study looks at the devastating extent of DID, the dangers of poverty that Project Affected Persons (PAPs) face as a result, and the ongoing failure of legal and policy frameworks to ensure fair rehabilitation. The study, which focuses particularly on West Bengal, demonstrates how the pursuit of industrialization, urbanization, and infrastructure development programs disproportionately affect the already marginalized, including tribal and Dalit communities. In this context, two case studies from West Bengal have been reviewed to highlight the impact of land acquisition and the consequent changes in the lives of displaced people.