Abstract

The struggle over land rights and the displacement of tribal communities in India is a critical issue at the intersection of development identity and social justice. While the Indian Constitution and multiple legal frameworks recognize the unique cultural and ecological relationships of tribal populations with their land the ground realities reflect a persistent pattern of marginalization. From mining and infrastructure projects to conservation-driven displacement and forest governance regimes tribal lands have been subject to systematic encroachment. This paper explores the historical roots of land alienation analyzes the impact of forced displacement and evaluates policy responses such as the Forest Rights Act (2006). The study highlights the paradoxes of development discourse which under neoliberal imperatives prioritizes economic growth over the rights of indigenous populations. By engaging with case studies and legislative critiques the paper argues for a rights-based participator