The revival of statehood demands in different parts of the country in the aftermath of centre’s announcement on last November 11 that it will take initiative for the formation of separate Telangana state once again brings into light how the movement for Maraland Union Territory(UT) over the years have failed to gather momentum owing to various factors. Over the years it is clear that the people of Maraland began to see Maraland Democratic Front(MDF) as lacking sincerity in its goal of ‘UT for Maraland’. The party’s electoral alignment with Mizo National Front (MNF)-a party which in the past was staunchly opposed to bifurcation of Mizoram-further increased this apprehension besides exposing the contradiction in the party’s approach towards the question of autonomy. This article attempts to look at the politics behind demands for autonomy and other issues purely from a student’s perspective.
Thirteen years had passed since MDF raised the demand for UT. During those periods MDF was to a large extent succeeded in undertaking political mobilization in favour of its slogan i.e. ‘UT for Maraland’. The then United Peoples Party (now disbanded) had already raised the issue as early as 1990’s. But it failed to attract much popular attention as MDF did. Although the MDF’s UT movement faced certain setbacks owing to the emergence of another parallel group in the form of United Lai-Mara-Chakma UT demand Committee which unfortunately reflected lack of political consensus amongst our Mara politicians on the issue of greater autonomy, the movement by and large could catch the political imagination of various sections of the Mara community. This politics of autonomy also appeared to help the party in expanding its electoral support base which was reflected in MDC election in 2000 in which the party was able to run the council in alliance with MNF though it lasted only for eight months.
Today, it will be fair to assert that the issues of UT hardly figures in the political discourse of Mara politicians as well as common men as it used to be over the past decades. Though one would come across occasional rhetoric by some politicians or party workers, the entire issues seem to be out of Maraland political imagination. The very party which is the architect of the UT movement now seems to adopt pragmatic line in its approach towards the question of greater autonomy for Maraland. In other words MDF seemed to become more realistic in its political imagination as far as the issues of autonomy for Maraland is concerned. In spite of the fact that the MDF does not abandon its commitment towards UT, the party’s new emphasise on financial autonomy (In the context of 2007 MDC election) could be considered as a clear indication of shift in its political strategy. It is also a common perception among many Maras that UT is like a ‘Utopian idea’ given lack of bargaining power at our disposal and the foreseeable stiff opposition from state government and the majority mainstream Mizos. Moreover, many of us are aware of how various movements for greater autonomy in different parts of India involved huge political investment and sacrifice including loss of precious life. One would not forget that demands for Jharkhand and Uttaranchal had resulted into loss of thousands of life. Whether Maraland and its ruling class will be ready for such a huge sacrifice will remains a big question before we embark on a larger movement for greater autonomy.
A closer analysis of political process in Maraland over the decades would reveal how the issues of greater autonomy had often sidelined the primary and more urgent issues confronting Maraland. No doubt UT will bring immense socio-economic and political emancipation for Maraland and there are various complex socio-economic questions which lend legitimacy to the demand for UT status. The perceptible step-motherly treatment meted out to the three existing Autonomous District Council (ADC) including MADC by the Mizoram government and a feelings of negligence and deprivation on the part of Mara communities makes the demand for greater autonomy inevitable as well as desirable. What is however disturbing is the manner in which certain populist slogan such as ‘UT for Maraland’ becomes a tool in the hands of the certain political parties only to consolidate and expand their electoral fortunes without any sincere efforts to pursue the said political goal. Political parties would propagate certain issues during election period and paid a half-hearted approach after the election is over. The whole issues will then get ignored. As such it becomes difficult to avoid the conclusion that UT rhetoric could be considered as a mere vote-bank politics without any sincere efforts towards translating it into reality.
The larger issues of development,governance,transparency,accountability and many other vital issues like strengthening of sixth scheduled, the unique and special provision created for the hill tribes in North-East Indian region were often ignored if not neglect by the three political parties in Maraland-Congress, MDF and MNF. Despite the fact that the leaders of three ADC’s occasionally met to discuss various issues pertaining to Sixth scheduled, the entire issues of strengthening the provision failed to get the primary attention of politicians as it should be. The present functioning of ADCs in four NE states-Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram would hardly fulfilled the hopes and dreams of the men behind the provision- Rev.Nicholas Roy and Bordoloi- who had relentlessly bargain in Constituent assembly for incorporating this provision in constitution. A common man is a witnessed to this failure on the part of MADC to effectively use this special provision as a means of tribal empowerment. It is well known to everyone how MADC in stead of acting as an institution for social change is gradually turning into theatre of power struggle and opportunism and thereby betraying the hope and aspirations of common men. It is a common knowledge that frequent defection among power-hungry politicians has often incapacitates MADC to effectively focus attention towards the issues of development and social justice.
In the present scenario, what is politically and socially urgent for Maraland is not the question of how and when MADC would be elevated to the status of UT. What is most urgent is the strengthening and reforming of the institution i.e.MADC itself. Our Politicians can focus more on something which is more realistic and which is more urgent. The new focus on financial autonomy in the form of direct financing is clearly a positive development which is desirable and possible. The alleged discrimination on the part of state government often put huge financial burden upon MADC and direct financing will leads to more funds which can eventually be utilized for developmental purpose. However it is also clear that mere occasional meetings among the leaders of three ADCs and their visits to the national capital would not leads us anywhere. The political consensus among the three political parties and constant pressure on the central government in favour of the demands is necessary.
Taking argumentative line on the whole question of greater autonomy in the form of UT or even for this matter, Direct Financing, it will be politically correct to question whether the benefits of autonomy will be shared by the mass or only by few ruling class and whether the fruits of direct financing will be trickle down to the mass. Today, one could argue that power-structure in Maraland is in favour of the few ruling class. We continue to see the increasing disparity among the people. The rich are getting richer day by day while the poor and underprivileged are poorer each day. Transparency is another big issue which needs serious attention. Direct financing will inevitably leads to greater flow of funds to MADC and the possibility of misappropriation and subsequent rise in corruption can not be ruled out.
It will therefore be more prudent on the part of various political groups in Maraland to focus their attention towards the real and urgent issues-strengthening or reforming of MADC and sixth scheduled rather than engaging on the issues and slogan that could be termed as a mere populist goals or vote-bank politics. Meanwhile civil society(NGOs, intellectuals, church, students groups, etc.) also needs to be more assertive if Maraland is to move in the path of progress and inclusive development. A strong and politically conscious civil society alone can put huge pressure upon the ruling class to be accountable and sensitive to popular socio-political demands.
Note: This article is contributed by M.H. James, a Political Science student at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi. James is a regular contributor to Maraland.net. He hails from Siata, a village/town within Mara Autonomous District Council (MADC) in Southeastern corner of Mizoram state.
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|2010-03-01 11:44:57 Laiu FachhaiBravo James,
Good write-up and good English as well. Like I have been saying over and again, the present autonomy and power enjoyed by the MADC, for that matter, the Mara people, is quite adequate for the development of Maraland, as for now. We have a mere less than one lakh population. Therefore, it is not difficult at all, to develop our land and to give the people a better life. However, as you rightly said, this will happen provided only that we have transparent, honest, faithful, visionary, and hard working leaders.
All the best for your studies. May the Lord gives you visions for our beloved land!
Laiu Fachhai
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|2010-03-02 08:07:27 Solo - well done James!You are spot on, James..I couldn't have agreed with you more! .What a joy to have come across such a powerful message from a critical thinker!
Looking forward to many more articles from you again! Well done!
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|2010-03-02 08:19:47 KeTeeThe article is a thought-provoking piece. Sometimes i wonder whether a mere reformation could be a solution to our plethora of problems, one often get tempted to suggest a total revolution as the ultimate solution.
The policies and manifastoes of our political parties are inherently flawed, as the article had rightly pointed out, they are at a time populisitic and utopian in nature. Basic issues such as drinking water,electricity,road,sanitation,health,education,agriculture,etc. should never be neglected.
Development has been so sluggish in our villages that even tortoise will be proud and elated to see us far behind. Economic growth means nothing for those who are not touch by the hands of development. It is therefore imperative that a concerted effort is made by our political leaders to ensure that development reach even to the hitherto unreached.
KeTee, Delhi
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|2010-03-03 10:57:18 Anonymous - ThanksDear James,
Very interesting.
Your operation is one hand, an important issue of social, political and economic development which the politicians have been failed to be processing a balance means under way. Then soWhere their(politicians) heart of inclusive, transparency, accountability has been operated? and where the good governance has been found out?.. And then, Where is the life of the people, and by the people and for the people of tomorrow ,…Then shall the World be built for only the richer stage? the question has come so on and so forth.
“ The rich are getting richer day by day while the poor and underprivileged are poorer each day. Transparency is another big issue which needs serious attention……..” This point you have given is very reflective and suggestive as well the manner in which our politicians should see all the spheres of their platform democratically…..
So many thanks to your responsibility…
Thotla Satlia.
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|2010-03-03 22:10:42 hyderabd soccer - Don't we get leaders that we deserve?A commendable article.
Yet, I beg to differ on certain issues/matters highlighted by the author: "‘UT for Maraland’ becomes a tool in the hands of the certain political parties only to consolidate and expand their electoral fortunes without any sincere efforts to pursue the said political goal...". I sincerely believe that the demand for UT was a genuine proposition which some politicians hijacked half-way for their own personal motives(need I mention their names?). "Generalization" tends to distort facts.
I absol;utely agree on the question about the efficacy of the ADC in the NE. I honestly doubt that many of our politicians and officers truly appreciate the spirit of the Sixth Schedule-leave alone exploring further the promises&possibilities envisioned by the framers. This is a tragedy indeed.
The moot question, however is, Don't we get politicians & bureaucrats that we deserve?
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|2010-03-04 07:40:44 james - thanksMany thanks to Paw2Vanaopaw(Rev.Dr.Lai u), Hyderabad soccer and others for your feedback and compliments..I know I've messed up with some points besides committing grammatical errors.
With regards to Hyderabad soccer's positive response...It is true that demand for UT is genuine as well as legitimate..but the manner in which the goal has been pursued creates certain doubt in the minds of people...over the years..the party behind the demand failed to undertake required political efforts towards translating its rhetoric into reality..We have not come across any real efforts for mobilization and attempts to evolve consensus which is necessary to take the movement forward..here comes the question of sincerity .In the early years there seemed to be some seriousness.Yet, over the year MDF seemed to be in a dilemma over the entire issue.It is rather ironical that a party which seeks to achieve a separate UT by carving out MADC area from Mizoram had forged an electoral alliance with a a party which hasalways stood for preservation of territorial integrity of Mizoram at any cost.
I was also thinking in terms of a comparative perspective while maintaining that 'UT for Maraland' becomes an instrument for vote-bank politics. In the case of other movements for autonomy-Gorkhaland, Boroland,Telegana, etc, one have seen real efforts which took various forms(strike, bands, demonstration, massive campaigning through media,etc.) made by the pro-autonomy groups in mobilizing people behind the movement.But in our case, we have not seen such efforts!!.what we have seen is only mere occasional rhetoric.. This rhetoric will get intesified during MDC or MLA election...If pro-UT party is sincere enough in its demand it will naturally undertake huge mobilization which may even assume the forms of violence..The party may well realise that in todays era of competitive Indian politics, no demands and interest could be easily accomodate without sincere efforts. Telegana is one such case where centre in spite of persistent demands continued to show ambiguity towards the question of granting statehood for Telagana even as it already appointed commitee to look into the demand.
Hyde soccer's argument that demand for UT was a genuine proposition might hold true in the past. But in the context of today political situation wherein the MDF appeared to be losing its seriousness..It is easy to conclude that UT for MADC could be considered as a tool for vote bank politics.
Hope more comments would appear in the days to come on this issue.
Thanks
james
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|2010-03-04 16:25:30 Firm politics is'nt?......... - Other side of view.....James..Good article in the same way it is a challenging writing as well..shall we try this..?
- Can this be an argument of political arena?
- Can this be a criticism anal;ysis of MDF Memorendum? If so, where's congcress and others like direct funding?
- Can we better have a hope likely of Bodoland Territotial Council type? keeping in mind with the population demanded and Geographical condition?
- What things could be really makes different from the conviction of dirty politics?, regarding this, can we give a solution, if we could point out the dillemma?
- imagine ourself as Maraland politician, can this could be easy task to make it happen in just five year or else. If we (the youth) were in their place, could we be more worsen than them?!!
-" Younger politician were more worsen than the older politician" One Elder & Senior officer of Gov't of Mizoram, siaha said. can this be ture? how far can it be true?
- Some says, these days people need a solution not an criticism/argument alone..!, Criticism/argument alone without a solution people lead to an astray (out of mind)....How do we think about this?
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|2010-03-04 20:34:38 The solutionIf we read the post carefully we can easily understand that the writer James has already given the solution to what he considers as problematic. Writing from a student's perspective, he has aptly demonstrated the realistic solutions as well. Therefore, it will be highly irresponsible for us to label his write-up as "just another rant" againts the political parties and the people in authority. Like him, educated and students must always keep their eyes on the systems that govern our people. This is good for our governance and democracy.
- Pawchha pawna
We the readers are really inspired by this article by M.H.James showing the possibility for justly inclusive development in Maraland. In this sense, the very wide gap between the poor and the rich in any society created by economic globalization is questionable, thus also debatable in arena of political grounds.
Burmese has four kinds of corruption(a-gati); 1) Chanda-gati (corruption by desire), 2) Dosa-gati (corruption with ill will), 3) Moha-gati (corruption by ignorance), 4)Bhaya-gati (corruption of right). These corruptions, no doubt, destroy a society (or country).
The Author vividly explored the situation or possibility of political path particularly in Maraland. If these corruptions are allowed so far, the demand for economic progress and inclusive development can not be built both in east and west maraland.
Thank you and best wishes,
Genava