Abstract
The use of asymmetric forms of federal models as territorial management strategy to accommodate questions of self-determination has not been a new thing in multi-ethnic societies like India.This paper examines the institutional arrangements in North East India, presenting an analysis of the Sixth Schedule States, which grant different levels of autonomy to tribal groups. It examines the unique trajectory of the Bodo Movement within Assam, highlighting its evolving demands and the implications of an asymmetric federal model. Despite the relative success of territorial management in promoting self-governance and accommodating sub-regionalism, challenges persist, particularly in balancing ethnic identity and territorial claims.In an attempt to present a nuanced understanding of asymmetric autonomies, Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) is studied to understand the divergent nature of territorial management in addressing ethnic self-rule demands. The Bodos, a major ethnic minority in Assam ( plain tribes) have historically pursued autonomy through various political organizations since the colonial era.The paper seeks to understand the conditions and strategies behind the experimental autonomous arrangement i.e. Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) which remains the highest form of decentralization experiments in the NorthEast, which is an exception as the Sixth Schedule provisions had been initially presented only for hill tribes of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram by granting them the right to create autonomous districts. In addition,the paper presents an analytical framework to understand the different levels of autonomies in the case of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Northeast India.
Presenters
Upamanyu BasuPhD Scholar, School of Social Sciences, West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Haryana, India
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
CONFLICT,FEDERALISM,INDIA,ETHNICITY
