A scheduled meeting of the Lok Sabha Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj was cancelled on Tuesday after BJP Members of Parliament strongly opposed the invite to social activist Medha Patkar, known for her longstanding anti-dam and land rights campaigns. The meeting was planned to review provisions of the contentious Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013.
Sources said BJP MPs objected to Patkar’s presence citing her alleged “anti-development stance” and past agitations against large infrastructure projects. Their boycott led to the lack of quorum, forcing the panel chairman to cancel the meeting.
Why Was Medha Patkar Invited?
The Lok Sabha committee had listed deliberations on implementation challenges in land acquisition and invited:
- Ministry of Rural Development officials
- Experts on land rights
- Social activist Medha Patkar, representing National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM)
Patkar, a prominent face of the Narmada Bachao Andolan, was to share her insights on displacement, compensation, and rehabilitation issues faced by tribals and farmers affected by development projects.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| June 25, 2025 | Invite issued | Patkar among listed experts for committee meeting |
| July 1, 2025 | BJP MPs object | Raised concerns with committee chair |
| July 2, 2025 | Meeting cancelled | Due to lack of quorum after BJP MPs boycott |
BJP MPs’ Objection Explained
BJP members on the committee reportedly argued:
✅ Patkar’s history of opposing large dams, highways, and industrial corridors reflected an “anti-development ideology.”
✅ Her participation could derail objective discussions on land acquisition reforms crucial for infrastructure growth.
✅ The committee should instead focus on stakeholders with practical implementation experience rather than activist perspectives alone.
One senior BJP MP told reporters:
“Her activism has delayed national projects for decades. We respect her views but do not endorse her presence in policy review platforms.”
Medha Patkar’s Reaction
Responding to the boycott, Patkar stated:
“This is an attempt to silence grassroots voices. Development must not come at the cost of farmers, tribals, and displaced communities. Parliament should welcome diverse perspectives to ensure just policies.”
About the Land Acquisition Act, 2013
The RFCTLARR Act, 2013 replaced the colonial-era Land Acquisition Act of 1894 with stronger safeguards for landowners. Key features include:
| Provision | Details |
|---|---|
| Consent Clause | 70-80% landowner consent required for PPP or private projects |
| Social Impact Assessment (SIA) | Mandatory before acquisition |
| Compensation | 2-4 times market value depending on location |
| Rehabilitation & Resettlement | Legal right with detailed provisions |
| Exemptions | Strategic and emergency projects can seek exemptions under certain clauses |
Source: Ministry of Rural Development policy documents
Major Land Acquisition Conflicts in India (Last 10 Years)
| Project | State | Issues Raised | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narmada Dam | Gujarat, MP, Maharashtra | Displacement, rehabilitation delays | Partially resolved with SC-monitored R&R |
| POSCO Steel Plant | Odisha | Forest rights, tribal consent | Project cancelled |
| Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train | Maharashtra, Gujarat | Land valuation disputes | Majority acquisition completed |
| Jewar Airport | Uttar Pradesh | Compensation adequacy | Resolved with enhanced payouts |
| Adani Godda Power Project | Jharkhand | Consent, livelihood loss | Acquisition completed amid protests |
Committee Meeting: Original Agenda
The panel was scheduled to review:
- Implementation bottlenecks in land acquisition for infrastructure.
- Delay in compensation disbursement and R&R compliance.
- Views of civil society on balancing development with rights protection.
Political Reactions
Congress
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised the boycott:
“Silencing activists like Medha Patkar indicates BJP’s intolerance towards dissenting voices essential in policy deliberations.”
BJP
BJP MPs maintained that land acquisition reforms must prioritise national development goals and industry competitiveness to boost GDP growth, manufacturing, and employment.
Expert Opinion
Dr. Shankar Raghunathan, land policy analyst at NIPFP, observed:
“Excluding critical voices undermines participatory democracy. At the same time, reforms must address implementation challenges that delay projects and inflate costs.”
Impact on Land Acquisition Policy Review
With the meeting cancelled:
✅ Committee deliberations will be rescheduled, delaying recommendations on proposed amendments.
✅ Ministry of Rural Development’s target of tabling revised rules in Monsoon Session may be impacted.
✅ Ongoing discussions on relaxing consent and SIA provisions for strategic projects face further postponement.
Recent Developments in Land Acquisition Reforms
| Month | Reform Proposal | Status |
|---|---|---|
| March 2025 | Exempting defence and highway projects from full SIA | Under inter-ministerial consultation |
| May 2025 | Introducing digital land records integration for acquisition | Approved by cabinet |
| June 2025 | Revising compensation formula for urban areas | Draft under stakeholder review |
Future Outlook
The incident underlines growing tensions between development imperatives and rights-based activism in India’s infrastructure policy discourse. Analysts expect:
- Increased political scrutiny of committee deliberations on land acquisition.
- Possible reconstitution of expert panels to balance activist and industry views.
- Delays in proposed amendments until broader consensus is reached.
Conclusion
The cancellation of the Lok Sabha panel meeting over Medha Patkar’s invite highlights the challenges of inclusive policymaking in a polarised environment. As India seeks to accelerate infrastructure projects worth trillions under Gati Shakti and National Infrastructure Pipeline, addressing legitimate land rights concerns while ensuring timely project execution will remain a delicate policy balancing act.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to follow official Parliamentary Committee releases and Ministry of Rural Development notifications for authentic updates on land acquisition policies and legislative developments.
