Problems of identity and separatism of ethnic minorities in the global world: case of Assam, India

Abstract

The article is dedicated to the study of the problem of separatist and protest movements among ethnic minorities in the northeastern Indian state of Assam, seeking to maintain their identity. Over the centuries, migration trends in the state have shaped a complex multiethnic and multicultural population. Amendments to the Citizenship Law in the 2000s led to an even greater unification of the local population in protest groups for political reasons. The first part of the article provides a brief overview of the historical prerequisites influencing the destabilization of the Assamese society in the modern world. The second part focuses on specifics of the protests in 1950s–60s. The third part revolves around the current state of affairs in the Assam society, tracing various forms of protest and identifying sides of the conflicts between: a) tribal communities in their struggle for inclusion in the category of Scheduled Tribes; b) tribes and non-tribal populations; c) tribes and immigrants; d) the unification of tribes against the state. A parallel between ethnic separatism in the Indian northeastern states and the European version is drawn. The article is based on publications in the English-language media and academic works of Indian researchers, in which a view of the problem from within the state is traced. The study concludes that before the problem with illegal immigrants, there was a number of several other reasons, due to which, over the centuries, many ethnic groups have sought to obtain autonomy.