Abstract:
Developmental processes have several contradictions and poses difficult questions to different
sections of society. The Telangana state in India, formed after a prolonged agitation, witnessed
a particular discourse, strongly opposing dominant form of development process as was
witnessed in united Andhra Pradesh. There is opposition to mega projects involving massive
displacement and focus was more on tank irrigation in agriculture sector with active people’s
participation. The characteristic features of discourse during Telangana movement are nondispossession
and non-displacement. The incumbent government has ignored these aspects and
has planned several mega, medium and small irrigation projects on various rivers, involving
massive displacement and this has attracted widespread resentment, in particular with the
construction of Mallannasagar, a lift irrigation project in Medak district. This paper examines
the contestations over the project, with government arguing in favour and people, non-party
organizations and political parties strongly opposing the way government is going ahead with
developmental projects displacing farmers and landless farmers. How these contestations of
various parties are being portrayed in media needs to be looked into? Media should indulge in
objective reporting in coverage of development projects and has it done that is what needs to
be examined. How media represented the movement and what are the politics involved in the
representation are studied. Coverage given by the media about the displacement issues are
studied over a period of two years and does it have an impact in changing any policies as far
as providing rehabilitation is concerned is also pondered upon?
