As reviewed in The Assam Tribune
BOOK REVIEW
Som Kamei
Ethnicity and Social Change: An Anthology of Essays by eminent academician
and social activist Prof. Gangmumei Kamei is a compilation of "stray
essays written on different occasions" that throw light on a wide gamut of
issues ranging from ethnic genesis of Manipur to European colonial policy and
Indian federalism. Arranged in three parts, namely Ethnicity and Social
Change, Human Rights and Colonial Policy, and Ecology and Development,
the essays provide authentic information and thoughtful insights on topics
of concern for academicians, administrators and the general public,
particularly in Northeastern India.
A few of the essays, such as the ones on federalism in India, human rights in India, the indigenous people and
their rights, and colonialism and colonial policy deal with issues of general
interest having relevance to the study of Northeast India, while the
other essays deal with issues specific to the Northeast and especially to
Manipur and the Nagas. The strong point of the essays is that while they
contain authentic information regarding the ground situation, they also provide
the theoretical perspectives that help the reader to set these issues in
the wider context.
The book begins with two essays on ethnic genesis and social change
respectively in the context of Manipur present a detailed introduction
to the main ethnic groups in the erstwhile princely state, their
historical evolution and the processes that have generated social change. The
author notes that various factors including religious conversions, wars,
conquests and rebellions, colonial rule, technological changes, spread of Western
education, economic changes, democratization of polity and society,
emergence of new elite groups and rise of social movements and pressure
groups have significantly influenced the process of social change.
The next essay on ethnicity and state formation in North East India shows the
connection between ethnicity and the formation of political and
administrative units and points to the inapplicability of the linguistic
criterion for formation of new states because of the tremendous ethnic
diversity in the region. While the ethnic principle was followed in the
creation of Nagaland and Mizoram as states of the Indian union, Manipur
and Tripura were granted statehood on the historical ground of their having
been princely states earlier.
The creation of new states is recommended as a device to remedy socio-economic imbalances and to meet the rising
popular aspirations.
"Emergence of the Ethnic Naga Nationality” traces the historical evolution
of ethnic nationalism among the various Naga tribes predicts the emergence
of a unified Naga polity based on feelings of affinity relating to a
shared past and a common future. The author himself being a leading
representative of the Nagas in Manipur, particularly the Zeliangrongs, his views on
the Naga question bear relevance at a time when the Indian government is
seeking to resolve the issue through dialogue.
The essay on regionalism in North East India pleads for a more
accommodative attitude on the part of the Central government towards regional
sentiments and granting of autonomy to the states in India following the federal
principle, which in turn can strengthen the processes of
nation-building and democratization.
Similar thoughts are expressed in the essay on
"Federalism in India" in the second section of the book, which discusses in detail
the nature of federalism in India as envisaged by the Indian Constitution
and as actually practised, in the context of the features generally considered
as markers of the federal concept, and recommends certain measures to
ensure harmonious Centre-state relations and to strengthen the position of the
states in the power structure.
The concept of indigenous people in the context of various countries
including India and the need to protect their rights in the face of
colonial exploitation and policies of cultural hegemony pursued by the more
advanced communities have been dealt with in the essay on the indigenous people
and their rights. The draft United Nations Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples has also been added as an appendix. The essay on
human rights in India critically examines the human rights situation in India
in the light of international covenants and the provisions of the Indian
legal system, and pleads for removal of draconian laws that provide a cover
for state terrorism, especially in the insurgency affected regions.
Prof. Kamei’s acumen as an analytical historian comes to the fore in
the two essays focusing on the colonial period. The article on colonialism and
colonial policy provides insights into the working of modern European
colonialism and its manifestations that varied with time and space,
shaping the futures of the countries ruled by the colonial powers. The author
points out that economic interests lay beneath the ideas, ideology and social
norms framed by colonialism, penetrating the oriental societies with
far-reaching consequences.
The essay on ‘Political Status of Manipur on the Eve of
Anglo-Manipur War 1891’ forcefully dismisses the contention of the
British colonial officers that the attack on the palace and the fort of Manipur
on 24th March 1891 by British troops did not amount to an act of
aggression upon a friendly ally but was one of retaliation or punishment against a
subordinate ruler by the British Crown for murdering two British
officers. The author says that all available evidence points to the fact that
Manipur was legally a sovereign and independent state at the time of the
attack, paying no tribute and owing no allegiance to the British Crown, and
hence the latter had no legal right to take the action it did on the Manipur
palace and the royal family.
It is pertinent to note that the aspects of equitable development and
environmental awareness have been focused on in a few of the essays.
The essay on historical ecology and technological development in Manipur
envisages an eco-friendly path to development that fits in with the
geographical conditions, the social ethos and the historical
specificities of the state. Developmental schemes devoid of any consideration for
these conditioning factors may bring about serious social and ecological
imbalances.
This paper constitutes a valuable contribution to the study
of environmental history in the North-east. Likewise the essay on
‘Constraints of Development in a Tribal District’ focusing on the hill district of
Tamenglong sets out a strategy and a policy perspective for sustainable
development that takes into account the local conditions and can be
equally applicable for other tribal regions.
The essay entitled 'Education in North east India: Problems of Democratization'
starts with a historical
account of education in the region and of the progress achieved, and then focuses
on the problems faced in the process of universalization of education,
such as the problem of political interference in educational administration,
the deplorable position of aided institutions and the lack of democratic
practices in the functioning of missionary and private educational
institutions.
The study of the traditional system of land ownership and use among the
Rongmei tribe (a constituent of the Zeliangrong group) in the essay on
tribal land system reveals intricate details of its functioning in
different villages and the patterns of change. The final essay entitled “Village
Administration in the Hill Areas of Manipur” provides historical
information on the topic and critically examines the existing rules and
regulations,suggesting legislative measures to make the village an administrative
and judicial unit and to empower the people in order to make the
developmental process participatory at the village level.
Brought out in a neat and compact format and reasonably priced, the
book constitutes a valuable contribution to scholarship in this part of the
country and reflects the author’s balanced and informed views on issues
of contemporary relevance. The author has dedicated the book to his
mentor, the renowned scholar and social activist and former Vice-Chancellor of
Gauhati University, Prof. D.P. Barooah.
Prof. Kamei deserves compliments for
unearthing and presenting these informative essays as a collection that
would be of help to the lay reader as well as the serious student.
Dhruba Pratim Sharma
Lecturer in Political Science
Gauhati University.
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