The Narmada Dam is a classical case of the many paradox that development in India presents. On one hand, the constitution desires to promote social justice through reservations to the most marginal section of our society through reservation in higher education and Government jobs and on the other, the tribals are not even provided with the basic right to their land and livelihood. Without proper rehabilitation, many of these tribals, uprooted from their native lands, will become a part of the urban slums,living in an alien environment and pursing livelihoods that they are not oriented or trained for. Their children won't get the benefits of getting a primary education, forget availing reservations in higher schools of learning.
Now, if the NBA that demostrates through civil and non-violent means is getting this treatment from a democratically elected Government, the key question to ask is whether the tribals would have got a better deal if the Naxalites had championed this cause? Even today it is difficult for the Government to implement schemes in Naxalite areas that are seen as anti tribal.
