Civil society in the post-Cold War period has emerged as the instru
ment for democratic transiti... more Civil society in the post-Cold War period has emerged as the instru ment for democratic transition and as the watchdog for democratic consolidation. The political actions undertaken by the civil society are often non-coercive in nature and demand autonomy from the state. Although civil society, in general, contributes to democratization, not all CSOs contribute to its endeavour by improving governance and strengthening institutions of governance. A depoliticized civil society would not be conducive to democratization.
North-East India (NEI) has been one major hotspot of many identity
assertions for separate state... more North-East India (NEI) has been one major hotspot of many identity assertions for separate statehood, autonomy and self-governance to pro tect the distinct cultural identity of various tribal and non-tribal com munities. Over a period of time, many subnational identities negotiated with the governments at the union and state levels to accomplish their demands. As a result, several new states were carved out of the existing ones, thereby accommodating them more directly into India’s democratic structure and experiment.
Current neoliberalism emerged as a challenge to Keynesianism and flourished in the post-Cold War... more Current neoliberalism emerged as a challenge to Keynesianism and flourished in the post-Cold War era with the collapse of command economy obsession with economic growth. In spite of neoliberalism’s penchant for “greening growth”, it leads to the commodification of nature as it reinforces the instrumental values, neoliberalism and its inherent tendency towards growth and destruction of the commons. In contrast to NE’s growth model, market values are fundamentally in tandem with ecological values, and neoliberal deregulations produce a hazardous environment as capital accumulation in neoliberalism destroys the environment. In this context, the neoliberal environmentalism has limitations as it brings the phenomenon of neoliberalisation of nature.
In Nagaland, the Eastern Nagas’
demand for separate statehood
is not based on issues of identit... more In Nagaland, the Eastern Nagas’ demand for separate statehood is not based on issues of identity alone but can be seen in the larger context of the lack of development. The current solution arrived at through the tripartite agreement may be the practical solution considering the complexities of the issue. Further, this demand for separate statehood is often driven by class interests, economic motives, and the political ambition of the community elite in eastern Nagaland rather than the aspirations of the masses.
The Northeast India witnessed the emergence of a number of extremist
organizations challenging t... more The Northeast India witnessed the emergence of a number of extremist organizations challenging the sovereignty and integrity of the Indian state. Most of the ethnic conflicts in the regions are due to ethnic groups’ desperate attempts to protect their identity, culture, and language. However, ethnicity creates a feeling ofotherness, leading to the construction of “us” and “them.” Moreover, the marginalized communities also felt that their community life and values would be threatened with the increasing number of the majority communities from other parts of India.
The pertinent development in Kerala's social advances is the radicalization of public policy, whi... more The pertinent development in Kerala's social advances is the radicalization of public policy, which contributed to its advances in education and health on par with the developed countries. The various public policy measures initiated by the governments from time to time radically changed the social life of the people. Land reforms, homestead rights, minimum wages for workers, social security measures for agricultural laborers (such as old age pension for the agricultural farmers), and so on, are some examples. These public policies were "inclusive" and social justice-oriented, touching the everyday life of the people. As a result, people were participating at every level, through their representative organizations and political parties, in crucial decisions as to priorities and the budget. The communist government through its public policy expanded welfare measures in the social sector. The twin policy measures initiated by the first communist government-land and education reforms-democratized society and laid the foundation for subsequent developments. However, inspite of the high standard of living, due to radicalized public policy, Kerala is affected by growing instances of unemployment and under-employment which can retard social change.
Hate speech, an unethical political action, emerges as a potential challenge to citizens' peacefu... more Hate speech, an unethical political action, emerges as a potential challenge to citizens' peaceful coexistence and poses a threat to liberal democracy. It often assumes political legitimacy when its perpetrators are backed by the regimes of the time, a factor that significantly influences its spread and impact. In many instances, hate speeches are not just contributing to violence and crime; they can shake the values of democracy. However, regulating or legally banning hate speeches is often met with certain bottlenecks, such as the definitional infirmities of the concept, the blurring boundaries between it and free speech, and the regimes' political legitimation. The paper tries to analyse why hate speech gets wider acceptability and how it affects contemporary liberal democracy's ethical values.
While the Government of India
is mulling over the scrapping
of the Free Movement Regime
and fe... more While the Government of India is mulling over the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime and fencing the India–Myanmar border due to security reasons, both the Mizoram and Nagaland governments perceive it as potentially disrupting the ethnic bonds among the communities across the border. The issue is an example of how collective identities and shared values cut across physical boundaries set by the modern nation states. Ethnicity as a primordial identity has the potential to disengage with political identity created by territorial states. However, the end result depends on the negotiating capacity of the state with different stakeholders
Man and Society: Journal of North-East Studies, 2017
The long-standing demand for separate time zone in Northeast India can be seen as a practical att... more The long-standing demand for separate time zone in Northeast India can be seen as a practical attempt to correct the biological clock that affects the productivity and efficiency of the region.
Northeast India is inhabited by numerous tribal communities with well-knitted traditions, practic... more Northeast India is inhabited by numerous tribal communities with well-knitted traditions, practices, and beliefs. The region is known for its contested social and political history and ethnic demands for autonomy, homeland, recognition, and accommodation. In contrast to the popular perception of virulent ethnic violence, conflicts, and subsequent displacement of many communities, the region is experiencing greater changes in infrastructure development and road, air, and rail connectivity.
Kerala’s fight against the coronavirus disease 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic turned out to be a pub... more Kerala’s fight against the coronavirus disease 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic turned out to be a public action making it an exemplar to not only the rest of the states in India but also the world as a whole. Its public action-oriented containment of the pandemic has been the outcome of multiple factors specific to the state. Despite the grave challenges confronted by the state, its experience offers new opportunities for setting a new public culture. However, the emerging opportunities and their realisation in the post-COVID-19 phase depend on an effective and visionary leadership that can translate them for the potential development of the state.
India’s North East too has not evaded the Bharatiya Janata Party’s political strategies of approp... more India’s North East too has not evaded the Bharatiya Janata Party’s political strategies of appropriation of publicfigures and construction ofcounter-narratives. While the BJP is engaged in the process of appropriating Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Debbarma Manikya Bahadur into the Hindu fold in Tripura, in Nagaland, the party’s attempt is to glorify Naga spiritual leader and freedom fighter “Rani” Gaidinliu and construct a counter-narrative to Christianity to strengthen its base. In short, politics is the ultimate goal.
Proponents of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) Second Amendme... more Proponents of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) Second Amendment Bill, 2018 see it as a mechanism to protect the indigenous culture of the Khasi tribal community. However, critics from within and outside the community are describing it as a regressive legislation which will distort the matrilineal values of the Khasi society.
The Bharatiya Janata Party garnered sweeping electoral gains in the North East in the recent Lok ... more The Bharatiya Janata Party garnered sweeping electoral gains in the North East in the recent Lok Sabha elections. Its victory run, if it has to continue, will depend on keeping its ethno-regional allies together and divert resentment against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019.
The electoral and political debacle of the left in Tripura is a culmination of long-term social c... more The electoral and political debacle of the left in Tripura is a culmination of long-term social churning. Discontent among the tribal population as well as the divide between tribal and Bengali communities were effectively utilised by the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has led to precipitous erosion of the base of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).
The “new developmentalism” of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Kerala is an attempt to c... more The “new developmentalism” of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Kerala is an attempt to construct an alternative development model to the neo-liberal development. It is seen as a transition from the 1990s’ left confrontation with neo-liberal reforms, and as a convincible alternative in the globally acclaimed Kerala model of development. Even though the party reiterates its commitment to its basic class in pushing for new developmentalism, the real challenge is the quantum and levels of engagement with the Kerala model and neo-liberal development. Arriving at social and political consensus and bringing a social balance on the concerns of the marginalised and the aspirations of the emerging new middle class depend on the policies and strategies of the CPI(M).
In North East India, the indigenous assertion and mobilisation of various ethnic communities ofte... more In North East India, the indigenous assertion and mobilisation of various ethnic communities often lead to the dislocation and impoverishment of the settled minority communities. The relationship between tribal communities and settled minority communities is often driven by conflicts in sharing resources and accessing political power. When the Khasis, the dominant ethnic community in Meghalaya, assert their indigenous claims over the minority Dalit Sikhs, it would displace their land and resources leading to further insecurity and impoverishment.
The verdict of the Tripura assembly election 2023 gave a renewed mandate for the Bharatiya Janata... more The verdict of the Tripura assembly election 2023 gave a renewed mandate for the Bharatiya Janata Party government with a thin majority. Though the resurgent Communist Party of India (Marxist)–Congress alliance put up a fierce fight against the ruling party, the emergence of the Tipra Motha Party as a third political force, championing the tribal demand for the protection of Indigenous identity dashed the electoral fortunes of the opposition.
The current spurt of protests by tribal organisations for recognising the Roman script in Tripura... more The current spurt of protests by tribal organisations for recognising the Roman script in Tripura is motivated by political churning. While the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state is pushing Devanagari script for the Kokborok with political motives, the Tipra Motha Party’s opposition emerged out of its compulsions.
The existential crisis of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), the prominent ethno-regional party in Nor... more The existential crisis of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), the prominent ethno-regional party in Northeast India, demonstrates that ethno-regionalism may tender only short-term political dividends to the party unless it transforms into a party to carry out a vision of development that would address the material well-being of people. In other words, the ideology and mobilisation of an ethno-regional party may not be sustainable if it deviates from its strategy from the everyday life process of development. Moreover, the BJP's glowing strategy of championing ethno-regionalism along with its Hindu nationalist ideology and its alliance with the AGP cost more adverse impact on the latter's mass base and thereby dwindling its electoral space in the Assam politics.
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ment for democratic transition and as the watchdog for democratic
consolidation. The political actions undertaken by the civil society are
often non-coercive in nature and demand autonomy from the state.
Although civil society, in general, contributes to democratization, not
all CSOs contribute to its endeavour by improving governance and
strengthening institutions of governance. A depoliticized civil society
would not be conducive to democratization.
assertions for separate statehood, autonomy and self-governance to pro
tect the distinct cultural identity of various tribal and non-tribal com
munities. Over a period of time, many subnational identities negotiated
with the governments at the union and state levels to accomplish their
demands. As a result, several new states were carved out of the existing
ones, thereby accommodating them more directly into India’s democratic
structure and experiment.
environment as capital accumulation in neoliberalism destroys the environment. In this context, the neoliberal environmentalism has limitations as it brings the phenomenon of neoliberalisation of nature.
demand for separate statehood
is not based on issues of identity
alone but can be seen in the
larger context of the lack of
development. The current
solution arrived at through the
tripartite agreement may be the
practical solution considering
the complexities of the issue.
Further, this demand for separate
statehood is often driven by class
interests, economic motives,
and the political ambition of
the community elite in eastern
Nagaland rather than the
aspirations of the masses.
organizations challenging the sovereignty and integrity of the Indian state. Most of the ethnic conflicts in the regions are due to ethnic groups’ desperate attempts to protect their identity, culture, and language. However, ethnicity creates a feeling ofotherness, leading to the construction of “us” and “them.” Moreover, the marginalized communities also felt that their community life and values would be threatened
with the increasing number of the majority communities from other parts of India.
is mulling over the scrapping
of the Free Movement Regime
and fencing the India–Myanmar
border due to security reasons,
both the Mizoram and Nagaland
governments perceive it as
potentially disrupting the ethnic
bonds among the communities
across the border. The issue is
an example of how collective
identities and shared values cut
across physical boundaries set
by the modern nation states.
Ethnicity as a primordial identity
has the potential to disengage
with political identity created
by territorial states. However,
the end result depends on the
negotiating capacity of the state
with different stakeholders
Though the resurgent Communist Party of India (Marxist)–Congress
alliance put up a fierce fight against the ruling party, the emergence of the Tipra Motha Party as a third political force, championing the tribal demand for the protection of Indigenous identity dashed the electoral fortunes of the opposition.