Ethnic assertions worldwide have assumed different forms ranging from moderate methods of articulation of autonomy to extremist means of violent struggle. Resort to extremism by some sections of an ethnic group usuall...Ethnic assertions worldwide have assumed different forms ranging from moderate methods of articulation of autonomy to extremist means of violent struggle. Resort to extremism by some sections of an ethnic group usually triggers inter-ethnic conflicts with other groups on the one hand and leads to confrontation with the state on the other. This paper seeks to examine the dynamics of this phenomenon in the context of Bodos, the largest plains tribe of Assam, a State of Northeast India. The paper enquires as to whether extremist politics has met the Bodo aspirations for self-determination or has intensified the conflicts and contradictions within the Bodo society with ramifications for other ethnic groups inhabiting the Bodo-dominated areas. It is also necessary to explore the responses of the Union and State governments to Bodo extremist politics for an understanding of the conflict management process.展开更多
The Hindu nationalism with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh （RSS） as its vanguard, in the recent times, has emerged as dominant creed in the contem- porary politico-cultural scenario of India. No walk of society, ass...The Hindu nationalism with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh （RSS） as its vanguard, in the recent times, has emerged as dominant creed in the contem- porary politico-cultural scenario of India. No walk of society, associated polity as well as their fragments has remained untouched with the nationalist mooring of Hindutva philosophy. This all encompassing and homogenizing doctrine besides other aspects of national life has inadvertently embraced and co-opted the Hindu woman in her different avatars. The gender connotation that is usually ascribed to the nation has unerringly given rise to a situation wherein the women have been consciously intertwined with the nationalist discourse. This phenomenon of co- option by the way of women affiliates of the RSS climaxed particularly during the Ramjanmabhoomi movement in the early 1990s besides at different communal conflagrations. Therefore, the honour of the nation （Hindu Nation） and the honour of the Hindu women is closely linked each other in the Hindu nationalists＇ worldview. Hence, within the strong patriarchal system that Hindutva seems to espouse, the women represents both as a flag bearer of family honour （and of the nation） as well as matrishakti, i.e. victim and viotot same time. This construct of women is highly questioned by the feminists who look at the right-wing tendencies as obscurantist, regressive and totally anti-feminist. This paper deals with the dual imagery that woman seemingly appropriate in the Hindu nationalism espoused by the Sangh Parivar as well as the feminists＇ perspectives on such appropriation.展开更多
文摘Ethnic assertions worldwide have assumed different forms ranging from moderate methods of articulation of autonomy to extremist means of violent struggle. Resort to extremism by some sections of an ethnic group usually triggers inter-ethnic conflicts with other groups on the one hand and leads to confrontation with the state on the other. This paper seeks to examine the dynamics of this phenomenon in the context of Bodos, the largest plains tribe of Assam, a State of Northeast India. The paper enquires as to whether extremist politics has met the Bodo aspirations for self-determination or has intensified the conflicts and contradictions within the Bodo society with ramifications for other ethnic groups inhabiting the Bodo-dominated areas. It is also necessary to explore the responses of the Union and State governments to Bodo extremist politics for an understanding of the conflict management process.
文摘The Hindu nationalism with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh （RSS） as its vanguard, in the recent times, has emerged as dominant creed in the contem- porary politico-cultural scenario of India. No walk of society, associated polity as well as their fragments has remained untouched with the nationalist mooring of Hindutva philosophy. This all encompassing and homogenizing doctrine besides other aspects of national life has inadvertently embraced and co-opted the Hindu woman in her different avatars. The gender connotation that is usually ascribed to the nation has unerringly given rise to a situation wherein the women have been consciously intertwined with the nationalist discourse. This phenomenon of co- option by the way of women affiliates of the RSS climaxed particularly during the Ramjanmabhoomi movement in the early 1990s besides at different communal conflagrations. Therefore, the honour of the nation （Hindu Nation） and the honour of the Hindu women is closely linked each other in the Hindu nationalists＇ worldview. Hence, within the strong patriarchal system that Hindutva seems to espouse, the women represents both as a flag bearer of family honour （and of the nation） as well as matrishakti, i.e. victim and viotot same time. This construct of women is highly questioned by the feminists who look at the right-wing tendencies as obscurantist, regressive and totally anti-feminist. This paper deals with the dual imagery that woman seemingly appropriate in the Hindu nationalism espoused by the Sangh Parivar as well as the feminists＇ perspectives on such appropriation.
