Politics of Identity and the Bodo Movement in Assam

Transcription

1 Politics of Identity and the Bodo Movement in Assam

2 The Author Dr. Hira Moni Deka (b. 28 Nov. 1980) had completed her Master in History in 2004 and Ph.D. in 2010 from Gauhati University. The author had served as part time lecturer in the Department of History, Handique Girls College and as Substitute Teacher in the Department of History, Arya Vidyapeeth College.

3 Politics of Identity and the Bodo Movement in Assam Author Hira Moni Deka 2014 Scholars World A Division of Astral International Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi

4 2014 AUTHOR Publisher s note: Every possible effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this book is accurate at the time of going to press, and the publisher and author cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions, however caused. No responsibility for loss or damage occasioned to any person acting, or refraining from action, as a result of the material in this publication can be accepted by the editor, the publisher or the author. The Publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in the book. The contents of this work are intended to further general scientific research, understanding and discussion only. Readers should consult with a specialist where appropriate. Every effort has been made to trace the owners of copyright material used in this book, if any. The author and the publisher will be grateful for any omission brought to their notice for acknowledgement in the future editions of the book. All Rights reserved under International Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written consent of the publisher and the copyright owner. Cataloging in Publication Data DK Courtesy: D.K. Agencies (P) Ltd. <docinfo@dkagencies.com> Deka, Hira Moni, Politics of identity and the Bodo movement in Assam / author, Hira Moni Deka. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index. ISBN (Hardbound) 1. Bodo (Indic people) India Assam Politics and government. 2. Identity politics India Assam. 3. Assam (India) History Autonomy and independence movements. I. Title. DDC Published by : Scholars World A Division of Astral International Pvt. Ltd. ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company 81, Darya Ganj, Near Hindi Park, Delhi Medical Association Road, New Delhi Phone: , Fax: info@astralint.com Website: Laser Typesetting : Classic Computer Services, Delhi Printed at : Salasar Imaging Systems, Delhi PRINTED IN INDIA

5 Acknowledgements Any accomplishment requires the opportunity and efforts of many people and this work is not different. I thank my guide Priyam Goswami, Professor and former Head of the Department of History, Gauhati University for giving me the opportunity, patience and support in accomplishing this work. Special thanks go to ICHR, New Delhi for providing monetary grant to my research work. I would like to thank all the librarians and staff of KKH Library, G.U.; ICHR Library, Guwahati; Department of Historical and Antiquarian Studies; Departmental Library of Folklore, G.U.; Assam State Archives; Omeo Kumar Das Institute for Social Change and Development; Tribal Research Institute; Assam Administrative Staff College Library; Assam Legislative Assembly Library; Political Department of Government of Assam; Assam Accord Implementation and Language Implementation Departments of Assam Government; Hagzer Bhavan, Office of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha; ABSU Office, Kokrajhar, BTAD Office, Kokrajhar who helped in course of collection of materials. At the same time, I owe special gratitude to all the teachers and staff of Department of History, G.U. for being encouraging and supportive and Department of Folklore, G.U. I thank former Principal of Cotton College Udayaditya Bharalisir for believing in my dreams. I would also like to thank Arupjyoti Saikiasir (Department of Humanities, IITG) for his guidance and support in every needful moment. I am grateful to Pramilarani Brahma (former State Minister of Agriculture) and Mrs. Anjali Daimary (President, Bodo Women's justice forum) and my parents, my husband and my brother.

6 vi Regardless of the amount of help received, I sincerely thank all those people who had helped me in accomplishing this work even in their smallest possible way. Despite my best efforts and care, there may be some errors. However, I owe all responsibilities for that. Hira Moni Deka

7 Preface This book is about the Bodo movement of late 1980s. This movement with its massive and violent expression had shooked the politics of Assam for quite some time from 1987 to Although, this was the editor/author s Ph.D. topic, the lucid and simple language with extensive bibliography, notes and references will prove to be an easy and informative read for both academic as well as common man who is interested in the subject. Innumerable studies have been done on this Movement from different perspectives, by numerous intellectuals, some of these are research oriented and some are non-academic in nature. All these studies do not cover the period from 1987to 2003 in a single text. Therefore, I have made an attempt in this book to present the overall history of Bodo identity assertion in Assam in a very comprehensive and interesting manner to generate curiosity among its readers. If the book is able to make the common people to grasp the reality of the interplay between identity and politics in Assam and could help in calming conflicts in any way, I shall consider my purpose served. The book is the result of my research on the same topic as part of Ph.D. programme of Gauhati University. I hope that I have succeeded, although only partially, in presenting an overall and comprehensive analysis of this Movement. I owe gratitude to Professor Udayaditya Bharali and to Priyam Goswami who always will remain a source of inspiration for me. I am also grateful to several of my

8 viii teachers and friends for their valuable suggestions and to my parents and husband for their constant support. I thank Scholar World for showing interest and taking initiative in publishing this book. Guwahati Hira Moni Deka

9 Contents Acknowledgements... v Preface...vii Abbreviations... xiii Map... xv 1. Introduction... 1 Identity, Society and Politics...1 Conflicts and Controversies around Identities: Indian Context...4 The Assam Scenario: The Bodo Movement...6 Review of Literature...8 Objectives of the Study...12 Organization...13 Methodogy...13 Notes Historical Background of the Bodo Movement Comprehensive History of the Bodos...15 New Regime, New Complexities...20 Socio-Economic Grievances of the Bodos...21

10 x Christian Missionaries Contribution to the Construction of Bodo Ethnic Identity...26 Simon Commission and Political Assertion of the Bodos...29 Politics of Tribal League and the Bodo Experience:...30 Merger of Tribal League into Political Mainstream of Assam...31 The Advent of Democracy and Spread of the Idea of Self-determination...32 Modernization, Urbanization, Globalization in Essentialization of Bodo Identity...32 Nation-Building Endeavours Assamese Political Mainstream...33 Language Policy...33 Impact Assam Movement and its Aftermath on Bodo Psyche...34 Ethno-consolidating Role of Bodo Sahitya Sabha...35 Assertion of Bodo Identity under ABSU...36 Notes The Role of the Interpretation of History to Accommodate Bodo Identity and Politics Interpretation of History to Legitimate Bodo Territorial Demand...44 Interpretation of History to Construct Boundaries between Bodo and Assamese...49 New Traditions Invented...51 History of Assamese Nationality Formation and Bodo Politics of Identity...51 Portrayal of Assamese as Colonizers with Reinterpretation of Past Facts...53 Notes Nature of the Bodo Movement First Phase: Second Phase: Third Phase: Fourth Phase: 1993 to Notes Impact of the Bodo Movement The Assamese Community and Identity Formation Process...94 Assamese Identity and its Assertion during British Period...95 Post-Independence New Projection of Assamese Identity and Assertion of Bodo Identity...98 Bodo Contestation of Assamese Community Formation and Identity by Way of History and Culture Notes Conclusion...105

11 Appendices Appendix-A The Bodo Accord (BAC Accord, 20 February, 1993) Appendix B Agreed Ground Rules for Suspension of Operations between the Security Forces and the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) Appendix C Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India s Dialogue with Bodo Liberation Tiger on Appendix D Union Government Notification Prescribing the Bodo Terrorist Outfit in Assam, the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) on November 23, Appendix E Memorandum of Settlement on Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), 2003 Appendix F (Copy of the Amendment Act of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India in Pursuance of the Memorandum of Settlement Signed on 10th February 2003) xi Bibliography Index

12 Abbreviations ALA: AASA: AASU: ABSU: ACMS: AAKRKS: ACKSA: AAMSU: AJSU: ATSU: AATYCP: AATWWF: ABEF: BSS: Assam Legislative Assembly All Assam Adivasi Students Association All Assam Students Union All Bodo Students Union Assam Chah Majdur Sangh All Assam Koch- Rajvanshi Kshatriya Sanmilani All Cachar Karimganj Sanmilani All Assam Minorities Students Union All Jharkhand Students Union All Assam Tribal Students Union All Assam Tai-Yuva Chatra Parishad All Assam Tribal Women Welfare Federation All Bodo Employee s Federation Bodo Sahitya Sabha

13 xiv BPAC: BLT: BAC: BTAD: BrSF: BSF: CCBM: ECOPTA: INTUC: LMRC: NDFB: PDF: PHA: SJSS: TUJS: TSNB: TSF: UTNLF: UMRCA: Bodo People s Action Committee Bodo Liberation Tigers Bodoland Autonomous Council Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District Council Bodoland Security Force Bodo Security Force Co-ordination Committee on Bodoland Movement Expert Committee on Plains Tribes of Assam National Trade Union Congress Linguistic Minorities Commission National Democratic Front of Bodoland Peoples Democratic Front Political History of Assam Sanmilita Janagosthiyo Sangrakhini Sabha Tripura Upajati Yuva Samiti Tripura Sunadari Nari Bahini Tripura Tribal Students Union United Tribal National Liberation Front United Movement Reservation Council of Assam

14 Source: Assam BTAD.jpg,

15 Chapter 1 Introduction Identity, Society and Politics Identity is not inherent. It is not a fixed or determined structure. It is rather open and fluid. Identity is constructed through close interaction between the individual, the society and history. As a social construct, every type of identity undergoes changes as changes take place in society, culture, technology and political system thereby acquiring its own style, organization, substance and legitimacy over time and space 1. In general, identity is defined with the help of sameness and difference. Sameness focuses on the self of identity whereas the difference focuses on the others of identity. This perception helps to distinguish one group from another and stratifies the society. To have an identity, a thing must have features that are both relevant and enduring. 2 Actually these relevant features build the notion of identity. Generally culture has emerged as the most relevant feature in the construction of sameness and difference with the others. Charles Taylor 3 argues that identities are formed in a continuing dialogue and struggle with significant others. In a wider and diverse social space, this dialogical model of identity formation also necessitates a continuous reinforcement of the same to be acknowledged and respected socially. The problem of identity arises only when the relevant features of an identity are believed to be under threat. If nothing is ever lost there would not have been the problem of identity dominating the political scene. Individual identity becomes collective or group identity when solidarities become organized for collective action and decision. This process usually takes place in time context and its coherence and intensity depends on the culmination of overlapping

16 2 Politics of Identity and the Bodo Movement in Assam symbols of assimilation and inclusion, essential in the formation of group consciousness. 4 Consciousness (race, language, religion, and ethnicity) again is multidimensional in structure. As such, an individual or a group may have more than one identity. The value based interests of the individual or group plays a decisive role in deciding which identity will take the foreground over the other identities at a certain point of time. A group may transform its identity in order to suit its requirements. As such an ethnic group may have loyalty towards the nation with varying degrees despite having loyalty towards its own group identity. 5 It should not however be forgotten that the nation does not lose its significance merely for organization of groups on ethnic lines. The whole development process in the society is the result of interaction between the state and the ethnic groups. In this process the ethnic groups fulfill their aspirations along which they change the intensity of the identity both in terms of nation and ethnicity. A sense of identity means a sense of being at with oneself and it also means at the same time, a sense of affinity with a community s sense of at one with its future as well as history or mythology. 6 There is no doubt that identity is basic to both individual and collective life and is formed in a process of interaction and relationship with others in a multi-cultural context. And the only reason of its assertion in the political sphere is to secure a groups social as well as material domination. This relationship could be better understood with help of the following diagram: Politics of Identity Political Power/Authority Social domination Resource exploitation Diagram 1 The political dimension of identity is very complex. India is a multi-ethnic nation. Here, the political conflicts around identities assume different forms and versions at various times due to divergence of regions and its people. Moreover, there are differences in people s expression of their community identities at the local, state and national levels. As such India has vivid experiences in respect of politics of identity. In Maharasthra, the region had emerged as the symbol of distinctiveness of its people. In other parts like Punjab and Kashmir religious identity has become the major issue of conflict between the Centre and the respective ethnic groups, while in North East India linguistic identity has caught the political limelight. This variation is the result