The Indian government seems to be too busy tackling the nuclear deal that it almost let Ms. Medha Patkar die for a social cause. Narmada Bachao Andolan dharna in New Delhi reflects the heartless attitude of Indian government towards the important issue of rehabilitation of local communities affected by the ongoing Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP).



Literally, Ms. Patkar had to bet her life to wake up the government to the fact that the rehabilitation norms, set by the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal and the Supreme Court, have been violated.



Needless saying, the affected communities are needed to be accommodated as stakeholders in the modern development. The government simply can not afford to sacrifice them in the name of modern development. It is the duty of the government to empower them to have access of new opportunities and the cost incurred on it is the explicit cost of the project. It is rightly said that the development must be democratic and consensual.



This entire episode has at least triggered a debate about the nature of modern development in a democratic set up and attitude of the government.



The Economic Times