Novels that dealt with Mass Displacement
1. "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy (1997)
Synopsis: This Booker Prize-winning novel, set in Kerala, India, explores the lives of fraternal twins Estha and Rahel and their dysfunctional family. The backdrop of the story touches on social and political issues, including the construction of a dam that leads to the displacement of local communities and the disruption of traditional ways of life.
Relevance: The novel reflects the impact of development projects on marginalized communities, with the displacement caused by the construction of a dam serving as a symbol of larger social and environmental injustices.
2. "The Hungry Tide" by Amitav Ghosh (2004)
Synopsis: Set in the Sundarbans, a vast tidal delta in the Bay of Bengal, the novel follows the story of Piya, an American marine biologist, and Kanai, a businessman, as they navigate the complexities of life in this dangerous yet beautiful landscape. The novel delves into the history of the Morichjhanpi massacre, where refugees who had settled on an island were forcibly evicted by the government.
Relevance: "The Hungry Tide" explores the consequences of state-led development projects and the resulting displacement, highlighting the struggles of displaced people and the conflicts between human survival and environmental conservation.
3. "Disgrace" by J.M. Coetzee (1999)
Synopsis: This novel, set in post-apartheid South Africa, follows David Lurie, a professor who loses his job after an affair with a student. Seeking refuge on his daughter’s farm, he witnesses the violent upheavals faced by rural communities as land reforms and development projects take place.
Relevance: While not directly focused on displacement due to construction projects, "Disgrace" addresses the broader theme of land ownership, dispossession, and the impact of social and economic changes on communities.
4. "The Village by the Sea" by Anita Desai (1982)
Synopsis: This novel tells the story of a small, impoverished fishing village in India that faces the threat of displacement due to industrial development. The focus is on two siblings, Lila and Hari, who struggle to survive and keep their family together as their traditional way of life is threatened by the construction of a fertilizer factory nearby.
Relevance: "The Village by the Sea" is a poignant portrayal of how development projects can disrupt the lives of ordinary people, leading to displacement and loss of livelihoods.
5. "Train to Pakistan" by Khushwant Singh (1956)
Synopsis: Set during the Partition of India in 1947, the novel portrays the horrors of mass displacement and violence that accompanied the creation of India and Pakistan. The story is set in a small village on the border, where Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs have lived in harmony until the arrival of a train full of dead bodies forces them to confront the brutal realities of partition.
Relevance: Although focused on political displacement rather than a development project, the novel powerfully captures the trauma and upheaval experienced by displaced people.
6. "The Circle of Reason" by Amitav Ghosh (1986)
Synopsis: This debut novel by Amitav Ghosh tells the story of a young boy named Alu, who becomes involved in a bizarre journey across India, the Middle East, and North Africa. Part of the story revolves around a small village in Bengal that is transformed by the construction of a bridge, leading to displacement and the arrival of modernity.
Relevance: The novel examines the clash between tradition and progress, with the displacement caused by infrastructure projects serving as a central theme.
These novels offer a range of perspectives on displacement, from environmental and social impacts to the deep personal and communal traumas that result from being uprooted due to development projects.
- India experiences frequent and intense hazards, which contribute to the scale of displacement. In the first half of 2023, drought alone triggered 297,000 movements.
- India has invested in industrial projects, dams, roads, mines, power plants, and new cities, which have displaced people in the name of "national" interest. For example, the Narmada Bachao Andolan is an anti-dam movement that displaced large numbers of poor people.
- The Partition of British India resulted in mass displacement. A 1973 survey found that women who were displaced by the partition were more likely to marry earlier, have more children, and less likely to continue their education.
