Assam Violence :
The 'Neo' Colonial experienceBy Sadiqur Rahman
India Thinkersnet
25 November, 2003When we refer terms like "Colonial", and its subsequent "Neo-Colonial" phenomenon, we generally refer to the expoloits of the mighty British empire
and the later exploits of the democratic mechanisms of the state. The Indian state has been no different. But here in this small article of mine I would like to bring forth the pscycology of "Colonising" that exists in all human minds.In pursuit of the best job, best food, best shelter humans have scorched the earth to its last dust.Our modern lives are based on the outcomes of these pursuits, which is almost natural to our existence.
When we bring these individual traits to a bigger, macro scale excersise, we witness the outward& inward migrations and prosperty&poverty (almost in
the same breath). here I would like to bring in reference the case study of Assam; much because of the recent killings of 'non'-Assamesse people by the locals.I, myself being an assamese by birth,am deeply hurt by the killings that have erupted again, this time on a different note, claiming innocents. But the nation might see it as purely as a case of the rise of "Regionalism" and parochial tendencies of the Assamese , I would like throw some light on the causes of this present turmoil, which unfortunately, I do not see subsiding soon in the minds of the masses.
Assam has for centuries been a kind of a melting pot of peoples&culture. A true heteregenous state in terms of population composition.The Ahoms came from the Patkai's of Burma, they brought in the Brahmanical clergy from North India, starting from the 12th Century, the Muslims made their entry, and at later stages the Britishers brought in the "coolies" or the tea plantation labourers from Bengal,Bihar and Orissa.
But the post-independence era saw the greatest inward migration-from Bengal(the middle class in search of govt jobs)the Marwaris(in pursuits of unexplored markets) and the Bihari labourers(in search of employment in infrastructure sector and under the Marwaris) and the (illegal) immigrants from
Bangladesh(in search of food and shelter).But the societal reaction to this mass heterogenity has been quite a mixed one.The impact of Bengali culture has been quite a intense in the Hindu ritualistic festivities of the common man. Durga Puja (a relatively 'Bengali' symbolism is highy pronounced among the people).Diwali (a 'North Indian' identity is pompously celebrated in Assam), and lately "Chat Puja"(a Bihari festival attributed to the Sun God) have come to dot the official holidays schedule of the state administration. As a matter of fact, the months of Oct-Nov are ear-marked as time of festivities, even
though the roots of these festivals are quite alien to the Assamese soil.
Assam, is the land of Sri Sankardeva, the great Vaishnavite reformer of the medieval century. He postulated a religion (akin to Sikhism) where idol
worship is strictly forbidden, and the prayers are based on the Bhagawat Gita. This has been a unique cult (called as "Sankori") which have brought Bihu
(Magh,Kati&Ronali Bihus in a year) as the first true identity and culture of Assam. But unfortunately, over the years the presence of this cult has dwindled steadily in the cultural life. This, owing to the gradual decline in the general economic standards of the Assamese middle class. It is nothing but an irony, to see that Bihus have now been restricted to the villages of Assam, at a time when Durga Puja, Laxmi Puja, Chat Puja and Diwali rule the roost in the urban centres.
These are nothing but some micro-level obsevations of the slowly changing dynamics of the society at large. The Assamese society now stands deeply polarised between the two opposing sides of the "indigenous" and the "alien". A divide that has been largely subjugated for the sake of running of the frail Assamese economy. The outsiders(Marwaris, Bengali,Biharis and the Bangladeshis) corner a huge bulk of the state's economy.This is the exposure of the "Colonising" behaviour that has come to the forefront. Assam has become a colony, a colony of Bengal, of Bihar, of Rajathan, and lately of
Bangladesh! The core of this fact is the total disimiliation of these outsiders with the Assamese culture.The Punjabis also constitute a sizeable portion of the population, but they have never posed any threat because of their skillful absorption of Assamese language and cultural traits. The injury comes when festivals like Bihu are largely disregarded by the influential (outsider)class, who have seemed to make Assam their lodging, but not their abode.A common joke among these outsiders relate to the "unenterprising" , "lazy" and "dumb" characteristics of the Assamese people as "loathsome peoples" tuned and crazed only for white collar jobs. These ridicules are however not far from reality, and the common Assamese youth generally ascribes for careers in academics and administration. But sadly, they have fared poorly in this aspect . The administartive jobs (civil services) have been plagued by corruption and nepotism. Jobs in Central govt units like Railway and Bank services are capped by the Bengalis. The private sector jobs (although relatively few) have been occupied by the hardworking South Indians (notably
Keralites).
Sadly, today very few options are left for youths of Assam to pursue any careers of their own in the State,the reigns of trade and commerce have been usurped by Marwaris (who run prosperous businesses in Garments, Hardwares, Grocery wholesale& lately of merchandsise and dealerships of the consumer goods industry), Bengalis(who have a monopoly over the Pharmaceutical industry and Marketing jobs) and Biharis (who have reigned in the informal sector). Joblessness, coupled with poor economic growth have
been the fuel to the emergence of insurgency in the region. Extremism and insurgency have gradually brought under control, but it has beniffited only the
trading& the Upper classes, leaving the vast middle class literally untouched.The middle class today, finds itself in a dilemma, caught between the 'devil and the deep sea'.
This frustrations have been aided and abbetted by political parties with with big promises and little deeds. The political scenario of Assam represents nothing more than a game of see-saw between AGP and the Congess.Issues of development have occupied backstage and vexed issues of infiltration,Central govt apathy have occupied the middle class mindscape.
Needless to say that the political class have failed their electorates.In one of such, is the issue of the growing influence of non-Assamese in the running of
the state's economy, which has been a relative and concious fact in everyones mindset. Such feelings cannot be drubbed as regionalism, Assam is an underdeveloped region(one among the bottom three poorest states of India).Its literacy is around 64%, density of only 340 compared to 880(Bihar),904(WestBengal)819(Kerala) and165(Rajasthan). It sees itself
as a victim of population explosion of the other states. It sees itself being plundered and desecrated by outsiders for its resouces.It refuses to become anyone's colony. It refuses to carry the burden or meet the ambitions of the others.When silence is seen as meekness and cowardice, and hospitality is seen as weakness, mass violence perhaps, is then the final resort to clear some doubts.
The recent killings of hindi speaking peoples in various parts of Assam, is in my opinion is a resultant of the long brewing undercurrent of discontent against the mechanism of the state's economy, some sort of a economic class struggle (but in a regional colour).The legitimacy of which cannot
be doubted if we do not want to betray the masses. And the solutions must be brought soon, otherwise it might just spill over the whole nation.
This is not only a political crisis but also a sociological and intellectual exigency. Because rationality often succumbs when pitted against forces
of stealth and greed. A hurt and hungry stomach heeds no logic or reason of pluralism or heteroginity. It is unfortunate, but a bitter fact. Assam, is the latest sore of this "Neo-Colonising" tendency of we Indians. Afterall, the two hundred years of British rule was enough for us to teach that !!!
Sadiqur Rahman
132B Vijaynagar,
Delhi-9