Paper short abstract:

This paper will demonstrate how the spatiality and temporality of coal mining-induced dispossession processes shape the variegated responses of the rural communities. It is argued that the dominant caste-class communities play an active role in the (re)production of carbon economies.

Paper long abstract:

The expansion of open cast coal mines in India soon after the independence, not only resulted in the plethora of environmental destruction but also dispossession and displacement of agriculture-based rural communities. Political reactions from communities in different geographical settings have been varied and complex to these carbon economies. In this context, the present paper attempts to understand such reactions among the heterogeneous rural population in a coal mining region of eastern India. Drawing upon 16 months of fieldwork in Talcher Coalfields of eastern India, the paper argues that the spatiality and temporality of coal-led dispossession processes shape the responses of local communities.

Long-term analysis shows that there is co-existence of different political reactions, in particular, resistance, acquiescence and incorporation by the communities against coal mining over the years. Moreover, the interaction of pre-existing unequal agrarian relations with the processes of coal led dispossession results in variegated reactions among the different class and caste groups. (Re)negotiation by landowners from dominant caste groups makes them active agent in (re)production of the carbon economy of Talcher by securing formal employment and other remunerative informal employment in coal mines, particularly, labour contractors and societies for carrying out subcontracted coal mines work. However, landless Dalit communities are found to be engaged in precarious casual labour and coal scavenging. The paper contributes to our understanding of how rural communities are involved in the carbon economies, and their responses to energy extraction vary depending on the spatiality and temporality of carbon economies.