The Bodo movement: - a struggle for identity or an "unlawful association "

 On November 26, 2019, the Indian Government extended its ban on NDFB (National Democratic Front of Bodoland) for another 5 years; the result of a series of violent activities involving killing, extortion and been accused of joining hands with anti-national forces. This group is also referred as "unlawful association " by the ministry. This is one of the examples of a political discourse all around the world where a certain minority group had felt threat to their identities and started a movement.  

Bodos are the only largest tribal community in assam consisting of 5-6 percent of its population. the Bodo territorial area district (BATD) consist of four districts in assam viz Kokrajhar, Baksa, udalguri and chirang . They speak a Tibeto-Burman language.

The Bodo's land Dispute 

The dispute started in 1980s where they started to demand for a new land and to include their language in the eight schedules of the constitution. It became one of the most prominent tribal movement in assam .In October 1986, the prominent group Bodo Security Force (BdSF) was formed by Ranjan Daimary. The BdSF subsequently renamed itself as the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), an organization that is known to be involved in attacks, killings, and extortions.

The History of the separatist demand 

There are several causes of the Bodo movement. One such prevalent root cause dates back to the colonial era with the continuous deprivation, discrimination and injustice faced by the community. It continued to 1980s with political, extremist and radical assertion. the group has stated that the bodos are ethnically different from other people of assam and thus has demanded for a separate states .

The following factors are considered as prime factors for the rise of the Bodo movement in Assam :-

ECONOMIC FACTOR:- In 1947 census, it was found that the Bodo population constituted 49% of Assam’s population. But this percentage has dropped to 29% according to 1971 census because of internal and external migrations and due to several state restructurings. Along with this, the continuous migration of people from neighbouring Bangladesh has also adversely affected these local inhabitants and impacted their structural set up in a greater way. Land is the prime base of Bodo economy and therefore it is common that most of the Bodo people depend on agriculture for their livelihood. The entry of outsiders, poverty, and indebtedness etc. has made them landless.

CHANGE IN LANGUAGE: -Language plays a very prominent role in the alienation of tribal population including Bodos in Assam. The Assamese language was made as official language under an Act of 1960 and there had been showing an effort done by the Assamese people to impose Assamese language over all the communities residing in Assam.   

THE RISE OF EDUCATION:-  When they become aware of the policies issued by the govrenment in th 1960s and the 1970s which led towards creation of separate tribal state constituting smaller population in comparison to Bodos. Therefore, they thought that their demand for a separate entity was also legitimate. The use of force by law enforcement agencies upon Bodo agitators to suppress movement after 1987 fueled it further. 

The Result of The Bodo Movement 

Many people suffered because of the movement, both Bodo and non-Bodo. The authorities saw the movement as a law-and-order problem and enacted harsh laws that violated human rights. The movement also resulted in the formation of National Democratic Front of Bodoland and Bodo Liberation Tiger Force. The movement created instability in the social, political, and cultural spheres. It eroded the harmony and unity among the people. The movement was often violent and disruptive, causing deaths, injuries, and property damage. It also led to the emergence of a militant group called Bodo Security Force, which used various violent tactics. The bodo movement had some positive consequence with Bodo language became official language in some areas of assam where the bodos were majority.

Their tibeto burman language was introduced in primary schools too and a unit called Bodoland territorial council was established with 30 seats reserved for tribal population.

The Conclusion 

The movement aimed to change the existing set-up and protect the interests of the Bodo community as they had felt due to several reasons that their identity is being threatened. However, it  had negative effects on the socio-political life, economy, and harmony of the people of Assam. The movement led to violence, disruption, and human rights violations. It also resulted in the formation of rebel groups and an autonomous unit under the Indian Constitution, but it became significant in the context that The Bodo language was recognized as an official language in some areas and the tribal community issues was recognized amongst masses.