Ethnic Movements in Assam: A Study of Koch Rajbanshis Dissertation Submitted to Sikkim University in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for Award of the Degree of MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY Submitted by Paresh Borah Registration No: 14SU15532 Department of Political Science School of Social Sciences Sikkim University 6th Mile, Samdur, P.O. Tadong Gangtok, PIN. 737102, Sikkim, India 2016 1 Date: 07/02/2016 DECLARATION I, Paresh Borah, hereby declare that the subject matter of this dissertation entitled ―Ethnic Movements in Assam: A Study of Koch Rajbanshis‖ submitted to Sikkim University in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy, is the record of word done by me, that the contents of this dissertation did not form basis of the award of any previous degree to me or to the best of my knowledge to any else, and that the dissertation has not been submitted by me for any other degree of this university or any other university. Paresh Borah Roll Number: 14MPPL05 Registration No: 14SU15532 We recommended that this dissertation be placed before the examiners for evaluation. Dr. Durga Prasad Chhetri Bidhan Golay Head of the Department Supervisor Department of Political Science 2 Date: 08/02/2016 CERTIFICATE This is to certify that the dissertation entitled ―Ethnic Movements in Assam: Study of Koch Rajbanshis‖ submitted to Sikkim University in Partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Political Science is the result of bona fide work carried out by Mr. Paresh Borah under my guidance and supervision. No part of the dissertation has been submitted for any other degree, diploma, associate-ship and fellowship. All the assistance and help received during the course of the investigation have been duly acknowledged by him. Bidhan Golay Assistant Professor Department of Political Science School of Social Science Sikkim University Place: Gangtok Date: 08/02/2016 3 Acknowledgements The preparation of this dissertation has received a great deal of love, affection, support, guidance and encouragement from a numbers of people and institution. Their altruistic contributions deserve to be recalled. I am highly indebted to my supervisor, Bidhan Golay for his intellectual inspiration, unwavering support, encouragement and friendliness. Bidhan Sir carefully and patiently read all the drafts that were thrust upon him, improving them through his insights and comments. His affection and generosity has been a source of sustained support. My study would have remained incomplete had he not interpolated with significant comments, criticism and contributions. I am very much grateful to him for his relentless efforts in carefully pointing out certain theoretical inconsistencies, errors in typological and referencing styles as well as ordering my thoughts and ideas. His patience and fortitude towards my work has always rejuvenated me to practice truth and knowledge with blessed cheerfulness. I wholeheartedly express my gratitude to Dr. Durga Prasad Chhetri (HOD) for his intellectual inspiration and friendly support. I should not forget to recall Dr. Om Prasad Gadde, Dr. Amit Kumar Gupta and Budh Bahadur Lama for being wonderful teachers and for their constant support and encouragement. I am grateful to Dr. Arup Jyoti Das, founder of Centre for Koch Rajbanshis Studies and Development, Gauhati; Dipak Barman, General Secretary of All Assam Koch Rajbanshi Yovo Chatra Sanmilani; Uttam Kr. Roy, General Secretary of Kamatapur Progressive Party; Dipen Baruah, President of All Koch Rajbanshi Students Union, Gauhati University Unit; Prasanjit Kr. Das, Co-ordinator of CKRSD; and Chittaranzan Geka for their deep insides on the history and the problem of Koch Rajbanshis and also their hospitality, kindness, support and encouragement during my field survey. I express my gratitude to all the staff members of Teesta Rangeet Library of Sikkim University, K.K. Handique Library of Gauhati University (Central Library), Indian Council for Historical Research (ICHR) Library, Gauhati and the Library of Centre for Koch Rajbanshis Studies and Development, Gauhati for their cooperation, support and hospitality. 4 My thanks also goes to my dear brothers Shomit Choudhury, Jayanta Madhab Tamuli and Tikendra Kumar Chhetry for their constant support and encouragement. I would also like to convey my heartiest thanks to my colleagues and friends Nirmali Pujari, Mingma Ongchun Sherpa, Aijaz Aahmad, Gojen Daimari, Reena Joseph, Smriti Ghatani, Sujata Rai, Kausila Subba, Prerna Rai, Prabesika Pradhan, and all my friends at Tendong Boys Hostel for making the academic fruitful and rewarding. Last but not the least I shall ever remain grateful to my mother (Purnima Borah) and brother (Diganta Borah) for their love, warmth and wavering support through the thick and thin of my life. Any mistakes and errors in the work shall remain mine alone. Paresh Borah 5 Contents Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations..............................................................................................i-ii List of Figures and Tables.....................................................................................iii-iv Maps........................................................................................................................v-vi Chapter I:................................................................................................................1-21 Introduction I.1. Theories of Ethnicity I.2. Postmodern Perspective on Ethnic Identity I.3. An Account of Ethnic Identity Movements in India and in Assam in Particular I.4. Survey of Literature I.5. Rationale and Scope of the Study I.6. Objectives of the Study I.7. Research Questions I.8. Methodology I.9. Plan of the Study Chapter II:............................................................................................................22- 40 Koch Rajbanshis and the Kingdom of Kamatapur: An Historical Overview II.1. Origin of Koch Rajbanshis II.2. Historical Memory of Kamatapur and Koch Kingdom II.3. Culture, Religion and Language 6 Chapter III:...........................................................................................................41-54 Problem of Koch Rajbanshi Identity: Colonial to Post-Colonial Period III.1. Situating Koch Rajbanshi Identity in Colonial India and the Dynamics of Koch Rajbanshis Caste Movement III.2. Socio-Cultural Identity Crisis of the Koch Rajbanshis III.3. Constitutional Construction and Relocation of Koch Rajbanshis Identity in Post-Colonial India Chapter IV:............................................................................................................55-86 Koch Rajbanshi Identity Movement and Its Future IV.1. Movement for a Separate Kamatapur State IV.2. Data Analysis and Interpretation IV.3. Movement for Schedule Tribe Status Chapter V:.............................................................................................................87-97 Conclusion Bibliography........................................................................................................98-105 Appendices.................................................................... ....................................106-126 7 List of Abbreviations AKRSU- All Koch Rajbanshi Students Union AKRYCS- All Assam Koch Rajbanshi Yovo Chatra Sanmilani AKSO- All Kamatapur Students‘ Organization Association AGP- Assam Gana Parishad BPF- Bodoland Peoples Front BTC- Bodoland Territorial Council CS- Chilarai Sena GCBDF- Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Front GKBPA- Greater Koch Behar Peoples‘ Association GKPF- Greater Kamatapur Peoples Forum GOI- Government of India HS- Hitasadhini Sabha KGP- Kamtapur Gana Parishad KLO- Kamatapur Liberation Organisation KPP- Kamtapur Peoples Party KPP- Kamtapuri Progressive Party KRLO- Koch-Rajbanshi Liberation Organization KRCS- Koch Rajbanshi Cultural Society KRSP- Kamta Rajya Sangram Parishad KRS- Koch Rajbanshi Sanmilani KSP- Kamata Sahitya Parishad KRSS- Koch Rajbanshi Sahitya Sabha 8 MOBC- Most Other Backward Class NDFB- National Democratic Front of Bodoland NSCN- National Socialist Council of Nagaland OBC- Other Backward Class RVA- Rajbanshi Vasa Akademi SC- Schedule Tribe ST- Schedule Tribe UBSP- Uttar Banga Sanskritik Parishad UKD- Uttar Khanda Dal ULFA- United Liberation Front of Assam UNLFW- United National Liberation Front of West East Asia 9 List of Figures and Tables Figures: 01. Map of proposed Kamatapur state..........................................................................58 02. Respondents opinion to the question relating to identity that the Koch Rajbanshis would like to consider in their social life.............................62 03. Respondents opinion on what is Kamatapur for the Koch Rajbanshis..................63 04. Respondents Opinion about the origin of the Kamatapur movement....................64 05. Respondents‘ opinion as regards to why Koch Rajbanshis want Kamatapur..............................................................................................................67 06. Respondents‘ opinion regarding the causes responsible for the Kamatapur movement............................................................................................70 07. Respondents‘ opinion regarding the support base of the Kamatapur Movement...............................................................................................................72 08. Respondents‘ opinion regarding the government response towards the Kamatapur movement............................................................................................74