Asymmetrical Federalism in North-East India: Politics and Process
RSA 4th Talk Report : 20 November 2021

Rongmei Scholars’ Association (RSA) *

A Brief Report of the Rongmei Scholars Association (RSA) 4th Talk on the Book Discussion on Asymmetrical Federalism in North-East India: Politics and Process by Dr. Joseph Riamei.

Date: 20/11/2021
Time: 6:00 pm to 7:20 pm
Chair: Dr. Gangmumei Kamei AUD
Discussant: Dr. Raile R.Ziipao IIT, Bombay
Rapporteur: Keziah Gangmei, Ph.D Candidate, NEHU, Shillong.

The fourth talk of the Rongmei Scholars Association on the Book Discussion on Asymmetrical Federalism in North-East India: Politics and Process by Dr. Joseph Riamei was chaired by Dr. Gangmumei Kamei, who opened the meeting and warmly welcomed all the participants. The chairperson then gave a short introduction to the book and pointed out the importance of the discussion keeping in view the current political dynamics observed in the country in general and Northeast India in particular. There were over 60 participants attending the meeting.

The discussant, Dr. Raile R.Ziipao, Assistant Professor at IIT, Bombay, pointed out the valuable aspect of the book which lies in its rich empirical data grounded with the theoretically sound arguments. He noted that the central argument of the book is Asymmetrical Federalism, which was envisaged to empower and accommodate differences, fails to grant autonomy to the tribal societies in Manipur.

He presented an insightful review, feedbacks, and critical commentaries on the book. He ended his discussion of the book by raising a question to the author and suggested that the author elaborated on how the system led to the instability of the state federalism.

This was followed by the talk delivered by the author of the book, Dr. Joseph Riamei, an Assistant Professor at TISS, Guwahati Campus. He began by briefly introducing, furnishing an overview of the book. The autonomy framework should be premised on the fundamentals that people of a specific locality know best what particularistic autonomous spheres, activities, powers and resources should be endowed to them and what concomitant constitutional provisions should accompany the same.

This book investigates the notion of asymmetrical federalism contextualised to Northeast India sourced from empirical data collected from the state of Manipur. Based on peoples' experiences of self-governance and the problems associated with it, the book examines the politico-legal framework of the federal arrangements under the Constitution of India and unpacks the subtleties of federalism and its complexities. It also attempts to articulate theoretical propositions that could unlock dead-end politics currently experienced in Manipur and create spaces for dilutions of rigid contradictions.

As the speaker concluded his talk on the book, the chairperson opened the floor for the Question & Answer session. This session was an illuminating and interactive one. Participants have raised and posed their queries and issues, to which the speaker fairly addressed them.

The speaker, to rectify or fix the failure of the asymmetrical federalism framework or the existing political model to accommodate ethnic groups and minorities in Manipur, proposes an alternative arrangement of political model that grants autonomy in terms of legislative, judiciary and financial powers to the people. It could be mentioned beyond doubt that the participants were befitted richly from this session as well.

The talk in totality was an illuminating, insightful, interesting one. As the talk came to an end, the chairperson then thanked all the participants and closed the meeting.