The Indian State and Ethnic Activism in Northeast India

Scholars Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 2022

At present all the regions and sub-regions of the world have been experiencing several forms of ethnic assertion and tension. The ethnic groups are mobilized on the basis of ethnicity for asserting their ethnic rights. However, the ethnic assertion should not be dismissed as an outburst of emotive and irrational sentiments. The ethnic assertion is not something which is irrational and impulsive but it is a cover through which the elites compete and struggle for power. This paper is an attempt to deal with the moot question – how ethnicity is a cause of inter-ethnic conflict and how it is being used by the elite of different ethnic groups to mobilize the respective community in the context of Northeast India in general and Assam in particular.

This paper discusses the politics of India's nationalising policies towards the 'region' called the 'north-eastern region' in general, and Manipur in particular, of the post-colonial Indian state. Such policies are informed by a two-pronged strategy, the first by militarism and the second by what I identify as developmentalism. This strategy stresses the unilateral nature of India's nation-building projects, and how it has deliberately or inadvertently brought dissatisfaction among the native population when they have unmasked the disruptive substance of nation-building approach to this hinterland.

2005

History and Sociology of South Asia, 2022

The ethnic political actions of multiple agencies like youth, students and women evoke mixed responses in the politics of the North-East India. While some actions like fight against drug addiction, HIV/AIDs and initiatives for building peace are commendable, the extreme forms of ethnic vigilantism and demands for ethnic homeland by constructing ethnic boundaries create strained relations among various communities. Moreover, their belligerent actions often put the state and its institutions in doldrums. Of all these three agencies, however, the actions of women often go beyond addressing issues affecting various ethnic communities, thereby creating an ethnic solidarity in the region.

South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies

Advanced International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 2024

This research paper delves into the intricate dynamics of identity and ethnic conflict in Northeast India, a region characterized by its rich ethnic diversity and historical complexities. The study aims to understand the historical, political, and socio-economic factors contributing to these conflicts. Utilizing a qualitative case study approach, the research draws on historical records and government reports from the National Archives of India, employing thematic analysis to identify key themes. The findings highlight the significant impact of colonial policies, such as the Inner Line Permit, and postindependence policies, like the States Reorganization Act, on the region's ethnic dynamics. The study reveals distinct conflict issues among major ethnic groups, including the Nagas, Bodos, Kukis, Mizos, and Assamese, driven by demands for autonomy, resource control, and identity preservation. Government policies, while aiming to protect tribal areas and promote regional development, often faced challenges in implementation, exacerbating tensions. The analysis also underscores the role of insurgent groups in prolonging conflicts and the critical impact of socio-economic disparities and migration on ethnic tensions. The research provides practical recommendations for inclusive governance, equitable economic development, peace education programs, and strengthening local institutions. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners working on conflict resolution and peacebuilding in multi-ethnic societies, emphasizing the need for comprehensive and context specific approaches.

This paper interrogates the scholarly writings on ethnicity and ethnic identities in northeast India and points out theoretical limitations in understanding ethnic realities of northeast India. It stresses on the need for more nuanced and eclectic theorization of ethicity and ethnic conflicts in the region.

Strategic Analysis, 2016

Routledge eBooks, 2018

This article critically examines territorial strategies adopted by the Indian state to accommodate territorially concentrated minority groups in two very recent cases: the formation of Telangana (2014) and the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) (2003). We situate both cases within the broader context of linguistic state reorganization in India since the 1950s. We argue that while the formation of states on the basis of linguistic principle was necessary given the long history of demand for linguistic states in India, it is, as Telangana and BTC clearly bear out, not sufficient to accommodate minorities. This is especially the case when, inter alia, language is: (1) appropriated by the dominant group within a state (or states) as a vehicle to perpetuate political majoritarianism, (2) supplemented by weak power-sharing arrangement, and (3) occasioned by longstanding popular perceptions of historical injustices and relative deprivation.

India Review, 2017

This article critically examines territorial strategies adopted by the Indian state to accommodate territorially concentrated minority groups in two very recent cases: the formation of Telangana (2014) and the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) (2003). We situate both cases within the broader context of linguistic state reorganization in India since the 1950s. We argue that while the formation of states on the basis of linguistic principle was necessary given the long history of demand for linguistic states in India, it is, as Telangana and BTC clearly bear out, not sufficient to accommodate minorities. This is especially the case when, inter alia, language is: (1) appropriated by the dominant group within a state (or states) as a vehicle to perpetuate political majoritarianism, (2) supplemented by weak power-sharing arrangement, and (3) occasioned by longstanding popular perceptions of historical injustices and relative deprivation.