COMMUNALISM, ETHNICITY AND STATE POLITICS

Communal and ethnic virus has its epicentrum like an earthquake. In India, the epicentrum syndrome exists in Assam and Northeast, Gorkhaland, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand and Punjab. The varied expressions and assertions of identity of caste, tribe and community have given new dimension to ethno-regional politics in India.
The recent communal riots and ethnic killings in the country reveal that ethnic, communal sentiments of the people get mobilised at the cost of their economic interests. However, the presence of common factors may not lead to ethnic/communal violence in all the regions. The wild expression of ethnicity and communalism could be kept in a low key. The Bhumiputra enigma could get stronghold in Assam, Maharashtra and Northeastern states, but not in West Bengal. It is the tenor of state politics set by legacy factors like link with past struggles, anti-imperialist sentiment, trade union movement, cultural reforms, etc., mould the situation. The book covers a wide range of such issues.

Sajal Basu, a Ph.D. from Calcutta University, has completed many research projects as a Fellow of Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla; Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi; Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, Delhi; and Samaj Bikshan Kendra, Calcutta. He has written extensively both in English and Bengali. Once President of Amnesty International (Calcutta), National Council Member of PUCL, Dr. Basu has been associated with Social Reform and Human Rights Movement.