Riverbank Erosion and Inter-Community Relationships in Majuli

Abstract

Riverbank erosion by River Brahmaputra in the Majuli Island of Assam has led to the displacement of thousands of people, and rendered them landless and homeless. The erosion has also altered the dynamics of the relationship between the dominant Assamese community and the minority Mising tribe of the island. The Mising are a fishing community that inhabits the riparian zone of River Brahmaputra. The culture of Majuli Island is dominated by neo-Vaishnavism, a social and cultural movement of Assamese community founded by Shankardeb in the 15th century. While the Mising practice many elements of neo-Vaishnav culture, they have never been fully accepted or assimilated into the neo-Vaishnav fold by the Assamese. This unequal distribution of power and space is further reinforced by riverbank erosion. Being a fishing community, Mising are disproportionately affected by the changing course and erosion of Brahmaputra. Thus, while already a disadvantaged community, their disadvantage is exacerbated by erosional work of Brahmaputra. Loss of land and fishing grounds, coupled with the unequal distribution of political and geographical space in the rest of the island means that many in the community are resenting and challenging the neo-Vaishnavite hegemony of the island. The present paper analyzes this inequality in sharing the cost of riverbank erosion among the major communities of Majuli and the cultural and political implications of it.