期刊名称：Human Geographies : Journal of Studies and Research in Human Geography
印刷版ISSN：1843-6587
电子版ISSN：2067-2284
出版年度：2019
卷号：13
期号：1
页码：99-116
DOI：10.5719/hgeo.2019.131.6
出版社：University of Bucharest
摘要：Ethnic groups involved in separatist movements have often been engaged in violence,
rather than electoral politics, in order to fulfil their demands. The present paper analyses
the dynamics of the sovereignty movements of the Koch-Rajbanshi community of northeastern
India, an indigenous group that has used active and suppressed violence for
accomplishing their demands along with electoral contests. Nuanced analyses of literature,
electoral information, schedule-based surveys and personal interviews of Koch-Rajbanshi
respondents were used for this purpose. Results indicated that most elected KochRajbanshi
representatives belonged to mainstream political parties and failed to bring
about practical solutions for the sovereignty issue. The pro-sovereignty outfits were unable
to gain electoral success and further hindered the movement. Fear of backlash from the
ruling party also stopped many Koch-Rajbanshi commons from being involved in the
electoral process. Accordingly, adequate electoral representation of Koch-Rajbanshi
political groups was identified as the only democratic solution to this escalating conflict.
关键词：Bengali immigrant; common property resource; electoral politics; identity
conflict; Koch-Rajbanshi; social hierarchy
