Book Description

This book tries to theorize the evolution of identity politics leading to separatist mentalities in India. Constructed ideas of identity have been posing a threat to humanity in the name of separatism. It is now one of the biggest threats to the Indian nation-building process. The Indian government has invested crores of rupees to secure the unity of India. In spite of that, many parts of India are now demanding separate statehood or sovereign nation-state. Demands vary according to the motif, mode and magnitude. But behind every demand for full or partial political autonomy, their remains some unequal treatment which occurs in the eco-socio-political sphere and separatist movements often take place. This Study revolves around two movements led by Rajbanshis and Gorkhas in the Northern part of West Bengal. In the tiny and strategically important North Bengal region, numerous movements are ongoing for getting separate statehood, some notables of which are 'Gorkhaland', 'Kamtapur', and 'Greater Cooch Bihar' movements. Why and how this area is facing this kind of activism is the main thrust of this study. With statistical data and historical references, the authenticity of the claim of 'marginalization' tried to validate. The question of Bengali hegemony and backwardness of North Bengal is also discussed elaborately. This book thus can be an ideal reference copy for the social scientists as well as administrative officials working in/on North Bengal/Northeast India/ ethno-regional separatist movements. This book covers the hundred-year history of movements of two important ethnic groups (Rajbanshis and Gorkhas) of India and touched three most crucial issues–viz. identity, marginality and separatism.