Democratisation Process in North East India -Some Issues and Challenges

Language: English. About The Author: S Thianlalmuan Ngaihte primarily works and writes on issues related to North East India. He cleared UGCNET in Political Science. He has worked on the role of ethnic elite in the construction and (trans)formation of community identity through a case study of Paite community of Manipur, for his doctoral thesis. He has authored Elite, Identity and Politics in Manipur (2013), and wrote articles which are published in Economic and Political Weekly, International Journal of South Asian Studies, Journal of NorthEast India Studies and Man and Society. His areas of interests are ethnicity and identity politics, NorthEast India studies, conflict and peace studies, globalisation, human rights, and government and politics. L T S as an g Guite is presently pursuing PhD in the Department of Geography, Northeastern Hill University, Shillong. The focus of his research work is on ethnic conflict over space and its geographical implications with reference to the Hill areas of Assam. He passed UGCNET in 2006. He worked as Lecturer in St. Peter's College, Shillong. To his credit, he has published one article in national and two in international journals. 23 Contents: Foreword 11 Preface 13 List of Contributors 17 SECTION–I: PRELUDE 1. Democratisation: Preliminary Reading 21 Can There ever be Absolute Democratisation—Some Select Challenges to Democratisation Process—Democratising Gender Equality—Tradition Versus Democratic Principles—Ethnopolitical Aspirations—Democratisation Process and Civil Society—Conclusion. S. Thianlalmuan Ngaihte 2. Thought on Challenges of Democratisation among Tribals of NorthEast India 31 Toki Blah SECTION–II: GENDER ISSUES 3. An Anthropological Perspective on Gender 39 Gender: A Conceptual Discussion—Contribution of Anthropological Studies to Gender—Observation— Conclusion. Lucy T.V. Zehol 4. Gender Equality among the Zomis 51 Introduction—Who are the Zomis?—Let us See if Gender Equality or Inequalities Exist in the Zomi Society—The Status of Zomi Women —Marriage Customs among the Zomis—Qualities of a Bride—Courtship—Addressing the Husband —Widow Remarriage —Son as a Continuation of the Clan—Divorce Laws of the Zomis—Inheritance Laws of the Zomis—"Zu" Culture of the Zomi —Drugs and the Zomis—The Impact of Violence on Women —Does Gender Equity Exist among the Zomi Society?—Education/Jobs— Labour—Health—Sex Ratio is a Key Indicator to Gauge Gender Equality—Equity among Men and Women in Perception—Literacy Rate and Women at Workplace — Role of Christianity and Its Impact on the Women— Women’s Leadership Role in Political Arena—Conclusion. Tara Manchin Hangzo 5. A Gender Perspective on Democratisation 73 Conclusion Ninglun Hanghal 6. Gender Inequality among the Kuki of Manipur 85 Introduction—Status of Kuki Women—Property and Law of Inheritance —Conclusion. Lalgin Chongloi SECTION–III: DEMOCRATISATION VISAVIS IDENTITY POLITICS/CIVIL SOCIETY/STATE 7. Identity Politics and Process of Democratisation: Emerging Trends in NorthEast India 103 Ethnicity and Nationality in NorthEast India: BTAD Violence in Perspective—BTAD Violence 2012—Where Do We Go from Here?—Nonconvergence in Approach and Opinion among Different Layers of the Government on the Issue of Illegal Migrants—Marginalisation of Decent and Critical Voices within Bodo Community—Role of the Government—Whose Responsibility is Law and Order? The Issue of Illegal Possession of Arms—Illiteracy, Poverty and Birth Rate: The Political Reaction—The Secular Foundation of Assamese Society—Progressive and Secular Community in Assam and its Historic Role in 1960s— Dissent in Other Issues should Sincerely be Addressed— Accommodating the Rights of the NonBodos in all Ethnically Defined Councils Including in BTAD. Akhil Ranjan Dutta 8. Identity Issues and the Emerging Reality in NorthEast India 129 Introduction—From Archaic Space to Territory—From Politicisation of Ethnicity to Ethnicisation of Politics — Points to Ponder. Gorky Chakraborty 6 Democr.…