Ethnicity and Political Action in North-East India: Agency, Mobilisation and Community Relationship

Abstract

The ethnic political actions of multiple agencies like youth, students and women evoke mixed responses in the politics of the North-East India. While some actions like fight against drug addiction, HIV/AIDs and initiatives for building peace are commendable, the extreme forms of ethnic vigilantism and demands for ethnic homeland by constructing ethnic boundaries create strained relations among various communities. Moreover, their belligerent actions often put the state and its institutions in doldrums. Of all these three agencies, however, the actions of women often go beyond addressing issues affecting various ethnic communities, thereby creating an ethnic solidarity in the region.