the character of our democracy is clear. Irrespective of political brands, politicians representing the affected people in Narmada valley never stood by their electorate. But legislators representing the perceived beneficiaries always had a bigger clout in the debate. Even if we assume that the existence of the Sardar Sarovar Project is beneficial for the nation and society, affected people had no say in this negotiated democracy.

The rehabilitation of dam-affected people in Madhya Pradesh was compromised by all political parties. The bureaucracy simply found the task too onerous and too easy to work around. Its negligence is amazing. For instance, the state does not even have the courage to tell the Supreme Court that it has no irrigated land to give to people ousted, as directed by the court (see pp 23-32). It also does little to buy land to distribute. The state is guided by the motivation that the poor can be