Regional aspiration in North East India (demand for autonomy]

Introduction:

1980s may be seen as a period of rising regional aspirations For autonomy, often outside the framework
of the Indian Union. These movements frequently involved armed assertions by The people, their
repression by the government, and a collapse Of the political and electoral processes. It is also not
surprising That most of these struggles were long drawn and concluded In negotiated settlements or
accords between the central government and the groups leading the movement for autonomy. The
accords were reached after a process of dialogue that Aimed to settle contentious issues within the
constitutional Framework. Yet the journey to the accord was always tumultuous and often violent.

Objectives:

1. This article made an attempt to analyze the history of Assamese regional, growing sense of
Assamese regional and Its consequences.

2. An attempt has been made to evaluate the contribution of Sense of Assamese regionalism to the
socio-political scenario of Assam.

Conceptual Framework of Regionalism: To understand regionalism, we need to know various dimensions

of the region. Region as a geographical unit, is delimited form each other. Region as a social system,
reflects the Relation between different human beings and groups. Regions Are an organized cooperation
in cultural, economic, political or military fields. Regionalism is an ideology and political Movement that
seeks to advance the causes of regions. As a Process it plays role within the nation as well as outside the
Nation i.e. at international level. Both types of regionalism Have different meaning and have positive as
well as negative Impact on society, polity, diplomacy, economy, security, culture, development,
negotiations, etc. At the international level, regionalism refers to transnational cooperation to meet a
Common goal or to resolve a shared problem or it refers to a group of countries such as-Western Europe,
or Southeast Asia, linked by geography, history or economic features. Used In this sense, regionalism
refers to attempts to reinforce the Links between these countries economic features. The second
Meaning of the term is regionalism at national level refers to A process in which sub-state actors become
increasingly powerful; power devolves from central level to regional governments. These are the regions
within country, distinguished in Culture, language and other socio-cultural factors. In politics regionalism
is a political ideology that focuses on The notional or normative interests of a particular region, Group of
regions or another sub national entity. These may Be delineated by political divisions, administrative
divisions, Cultural boundaries, linguistics regions, and religious geography among others. Regionalists
aim at increasing the political Power and influence available to all or some residents of a region.
Regionalist demands occur in “strong” forms, such as Sovereignty, separatism, secession, and
independence, as well As more moderate campaigns for greater autonomy (such as States’ rights,
decentralization or devotion). Proponents of regionalism usually claim that strengthening the governing
bodies and political powers within a region, at the expense of a Central, national government, will
benefit local populations by Improving regional or local economies, in terms of better fiscal
Responsibility, regional development, allocation of resources, Implementation of local policies and plans,
competitiveness Among regions and, ultimately, the whole country. For some Of its opponents
regionalism is associated with particularism or Anti -universalism, while for others it is a rival form of
nationalism.

Discussion:

India is an inhabiting place of various class, caste, linguistics And religious people and it contains both
hilly and plain areas. Indian nation shall not deny the rights of different regions and Linguistics groups to
retain their culture. We decided to live a united social life without losing the distinctiveness of the
numerous cultures that constituted it. Indian nationalism sought To balance the principles of unity and
diversity. But in some Parts of the country, sometimes the regional aspirations and Demands of separate
statehood have been trying to challenge The principle of ‘Unity among Diversity’. Along with the Other
parts of the country, regional aspirations in the North-East reached a turning point in1980s. This region
now consists of seven States, also referred to as the ‘Seven Sisters’. The region has only 4 per cent of the
country’s population But about twice as much share of its area. A small corridor Of about 22 kilometers
connects the region to the rest of the Country. Otherwise the region shares boundaries with China,
Myanmar and Bangladesh and serves as India’s gateway To South East Asia. The region has witnessed a
lot of change Since 1947. Tripura, Manipur and Khasi Hills of Meghalaya Were erstwhile Princely States
which merged with India after Independence. The entire region of North-East has undergone
Considerable political reorganization. Nagaland State was created in 1960; Meghalaya, Manipur and
Tripura in 1972 while Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram became separate States only in 1986. The
Partition of India in 1947 had reduced the North-East to a land locked region and affected its economy.
Cut off From the rest of India, the region suffered neglect in developmental terms. Its politics too
remained insulated. At the same Time, most States in this region underwent major demographic changes
due to influx of migrants from neighboring States And countries. The isolation of the region, its complex
social character and Its backwardness compared to other parts of the country have All resulted in the
complicated set of demands from different States of the North-East. The vast international border and
Weak communication between the North-East and the rest Of India have further added to the delicate
nature of politics There. Three issues dominate the politics of North-East: demands for autonomy,
movements for secession, and opposition to ‘outsiders’. Major initiatives on the first issue in The 1970s
set the stage for some dramatic developments on The second and the third in the 1980s. Regionalism in
Assam Regionalism has been playing an influential role in the Political process of India. As India is a
‘diverse’ society of Heterogeneous regional specialties, so the regional urges are Bound to be reflected in
the political process. However, it emanates, essentially from the socio-cultural, economic and political
dimension. Assamese regionalism since the British rule has Been pioneering the interests of the
Assamese middle class. But in the post-independence period, the Central Government’s policies of
economic disparity made the Assamese elite Much disappointed. Importantly, illegal foreign national
issue Gave the Assamese regionalism a popular and emotive dimension. The Assamese middle class
could successfully project the Sentiment of the Assamese people and run the foreign national movement
for long six years. The movement ended after The signing of the historical ‘Assam Accord’. Thus after the
Accord, the leaders of the Movement gave birth to a regional Party named ‘Asom Gana Parishad’. After
the emergence of This party, the popularity and dominance of the national parties experienced a heavy
blow during the Assembly elections Held in 1985 and 1996 in the State. On the contrary, the Assamese
people rejected the regional parties and favoured the Indian National Congress (INC) as alternative in the
1991 and 2001 Assembly elections. However, regional party governments in the state have witnessed
fulfillment of personal interests of the leaders in power, rather than the common regional Interests. The
regional party (AGP) consequently split down.

Secondly, Assamese regionalism created a new type of ethnic awakening among different ethnic groups.
Regional party Governments in the state had failed to influence the Central Government to implement
the ‘Assam Accord’ in letter and Spirit. Movements against Outsiders The large scale migration into the
North-East gave rise to a special kind of problem That pitted the ‘local’ communities against people who
were Seen as ‘outsiders’ or migrants. These latecomers, either from India or abroad are seen as
encroachers on scarce resources Like land and potential competitors to employment opportunity .

Conclusion:

Regional aspiration in North Eastern states of Indian Union is Not a new phenomenon. Historical facts,
agitations provide Us adequate prove of the validity of the sense of regionalism In North Eastern part of
India. From discussions and descriptions on the historical background and regional aspiration in North
East India with special reference to the state of Assam, We may say that along with the other parts of
Indian union Sense of regionalism as well as demands for separation from The India influence the socio-
political scenario of mainstream Administration in different times and situations. Assamese regionalism
deeply influences its socio-political scenario. AGP, a Regional political party emerged in 1985 only
because of the Sense of regionalism among the Assamese people which was Committed to fulfill the
regional interests of Assam. However, Regional party governments in the state have witnessed ful-
Fillment of personal interests of the leaders in power, rather Than the common regional interests. The
regional party (AGP) Consequently split down.