{Relevant for Civil Service Examination}
Paper-2 , Social Movements in Modern India
Ethnocentrism in Sociology
To grasp the essence of ethnic movements, it is imperative to comprehend the concept of ethnicity itself, as these movements are closely linked to it.
Ethnicity refers to the identification of a group of individuals based on specific criteria or markers that they are believed to share. These markers encompass culture, race, language, religion, customs, history, economic experiences, and more. For a group to share such attributes, there is also a requirement for mobilization into collective action to achieve certain demands.
The number and nature of attributes forming the basis of an ethnic group depend on the choices made by the group or its leadership, leading to differing opinions among scholars.
In India, scholars generally view mobilization as ethnic when it is based on multiple attributes such as language, religion, culture, history, and economy. On the other hand, in American and European traditions, scholars categorize mobilization based on a single attribute, like language, religion, or caste, as ethnic mobilization. There is also a distinction between scholars on the definition of ethnic groups and movements. For instance, some, like Paul R. Brass, use “ethnic” and “communal” mobilization interchangeably, while Dipankar Gupta differentiates between the two, associating ethnic mobilization with the nation-state and communal mobilization with conflicts between communities and the government.
| Ethnocentrism broadly refers to ethnic self-centredness and self-importance. This attitude could lead an individual to believe that their own culture or way of life is the correct way of living. It could also result in hostility towards other cultures. Ethnocentrism is therefore the tendency to view one’s own group, the ‘in-group’, as the archetype and all the other groups, the ‘out-groups’, with reference to this ideal. The in-group’s boundaries are defined by one or more observable characteristics such as language, accent, physical features or religion, indicating common descent. While initially used in anthropology, the term is now used widely in sociology, psychology, political science, economics and markets, among other disciplines. |
The relative nature of ethnicity becomes evident when an ethnic group differentiates itself from others sharing certain attributes. This differentiation stems from the perceived or real threats posed by other ethnic groups and institutions, emphasizing the preservation of identity and interests. The terms “ethnicity” and “nationalities/nations” are often used interchangeably in the literature.
The subsequent section delves into ethnic movements in post-independence India, highlighting movements for regional autonomy, the creation of separate states, demands for secession, or insurgency in various regions. These movements challenge the Nehruvian model and its assumption that identities based on factors like language, caste, and religion would fade with development. The analysis explores specific ethnic movements in different states, shedding light on their historical and socio-political contexts.
The following section examines tribal ethnic and identity movements in India, citing examples of various factors contributing to tribal mobilization, such as culture, customs, language, race, religion, and economic issues. The discussion classifies tribal movements based on their orientation, including movements seeking political autonomy, agrarian movements, forest-based movements, and socio-religious or socio-cultural movements.
The concluding remarks emphasize that when legal avenues fail to assist tribals and the government remains indifferent, they resort to two paths: non-violent approaches like bargaining and negotiating, and militant paths involving revolts or mass struggles. Despite these efforts, the analysis suggests that both paths have not effectively addressed the issues faced by tribals, leaving them discontented and deprived.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Question: Define the term “ethnic movement” and provide an example from India.
Answer: An ethnic movement refers to a collective effort by a group sharing common cultural, linguistic, or religious traits, seeking to assert their identity and rights; an example from India is the Khalistan Movement in Punjab.
2. Question: Identify the main objectives behind the Gorkhaland ethnic movement.
Answer: The Gorkhaland ethnic movement primarily seeks to establish a separate state for India’s Nepali-speaking population in the Darjeeling region, advocating for linguistic and cultural recognition and political autonomy.
3. Question: What was the Operation Blue Star, and which ethnic movement was it related to?
Answer: Operation Blue Star was a military action in 1984, aiming to remove Sikh militants hiding in the Golden Temple in Amritsar; it is related to the Khalistan movement, which sought a separate Sikh country.
4. Question: Mention a critical factor that triggered the emergence of ethnic movements in India, as discussed by Dipankar Gupta.
Answer: Dipankar Gupta emphasized that ethnicity is fundamentally a political process, wherein caste and religion, the key components of identity formation, are politicized by leaders for vested interests.
5. Question: What were the primary reasons for the Assam Ethnicity conflicts involving Bodo tribals and Bengali Muslim settlers?
Answer: The Assam Ethnicity conflicts primarily stemmed from issues related to immigration, land rights, and resource allocation, leading to clashes, riots, and evolving relationships among indigenous communities to address challenges.
6. Question: Briefly describe the role of the Dravidian Movement in terms of caste and societal structure.
Answer: The Dravidian Movement, led notably by E.V. Ramasamy, aimed to establish an egalitarian society, focusing on anti-Brahmanism and advocating for equal rights for backward castes, while also introducing reforms like self-respect marriages.
7. Question: Name the prominent ethnic movements in North-East India and specify one common objective.
Answer: Prominent ethnic movements in North-East India include the Nagas’ and Mizos’ struggles; a common objective was to gain autonomy and recognition for their distinct tribal identities and cultural uniqueness.
8. Question: What is the key argument of Gail Omveldt regarding traditional Indian society and multiculturalism?
Answer: Gail Omveldt opposed romanticizing traditional Indian society, arguing that hierarchy has always dominated it and dismissing the notion that multiculturalism is an intrinsic feature of Indian society as a myth.
9. Question: Briefly explain the social hierarchy factor as a contributing element to ethnic movements as suggested by Olzak.
Answer: Olzak suggests that the construction of hierarchies among ethnic communities, which often leads to the suppression of one group by another, is a key factor that can instigate social and ethnic movements.
10. Question: Identify one consequence of the unequal economic development factor within the context of ethnic movements in India.
Answer: One consequence of unequal economic development is the marginalization and underdevelopment of certain groups, leading to feelings of alienation and sometimes initiating ethnic movements as these groups strive for equality and recognition.
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Ethnic Movements, ethnic movements in india, ethnic movement in sociology, Punjab Movement, North-East Ethnic Movements, Gorkhaland Movement, Dravidian Movement, Assam Ethnicity, Ethnic Conflicts, Sociopolitical Impact, India, Ethnic Consciousness, Ethnic Rights, Political Crisis, Economic Development, Cultural Disparities, Khalistan Movement, Nagaland, Mizoram, Multiculturalism, Political Economy, Identity Formation, Social Hierarchies, Bodo Tribals, Bengali Muslim Settlers, Anti-Sikh Riots, Operation Blue Star, Unequal Development, Ethnic Violence, Political Mobilization
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