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Abstract
In recent years Adivasis seem to oppose their displacement from their lands vehemently, and by extension disagree with the economic development policies as well. There are numerous controversies on the processes by which land of the Adivasis has been acquired. Similarly, the design and implementation of resettlement and rehabilitation policies for displaced Adivasis are contentious. In this paper I therefore ask—whether a change of the situation for better may be obtained by instituting free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) of Adivasis with respect to the proposed “economic development.” This is because through FPIC one seeks to guarantee the right of consent as crucial to the decisions; besides ensuring participation of Adivasis in the processes of economic development. The principle of FPIC assures equal opportunity to all, and consent is obtained voluntarily. In assessing FPIC I apply Habermas’s “communicative action” and discuss how implementing FPIC principle may strengthen deliberative democracy. To illuminate the relevance of FPIC in the Indian context I draw upon some documented experiences of Adivasis from the projects of bauxite mining by Vedanta in Niyamgiri hills, and setting up India’s largest steel plant by POSCO, a South Korean company. I conclude by discussing the larger implication of implementing FPIC to address issues of social exclusion of Adivasis through economic development.