The recent resurgence of the Bodoland statehood movement, driven by the All India Bodo People’s National League for Bodoland Statehood, has coincided with elections to the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). This news piece will delve into the historical and current contexts of this movement, looking into key events, government interventions and the future way forward.
About Bodos
Bodos constitute an important part of Assam’s population. As the single largest community among the notified Scheduled Tribes in this northeastern state, they represent 5-6% of the populace. These Bodos fall under the larger umbrella group of Bodo-Kachari.
The Bodo Statehood Movement: A Chronological Account
In 1967-68, the first organized demand for a Bodo state was raised by the political party Plains Tribals Council of Assam. But a significant turn in the movement occurred in 1986, when the armed group Bodo Security Force emerged, later renaming itself as the ‘National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB)’. This organization played a crucial role in leading attacks, killings, and extortions, eventually splitting into factions.
The All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) revived the movement in 1987. Bodos felt their identity was overlooked during the Assam Accord in 1985, which sought to protect the distinctiveness of the “Assamese people”. This led Bodos to launch their own movement to guard their identity. By the 1990s, the NDFB had become the target of extensive counter-insurgency operations by Indian security forces, pushing them to move to neighbouring Bhutan.
Government Interventions
Throughout the years, the Indian government has attempted to negotiate with the Bodo groups through different accords. The initial Bodo Accord in 1993, led by ABSU, paved the way for the Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC). However, ABSU pulled out from this agreement, renewing their statehood demand.
The second Bodo Accord was signed in 2003 by the extremist group Bodo Liberation Tiger Force (BLTF), the central government and the state. This resulted in the establishment of the autonomous Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The area governed by the BTC was called the Bodo Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD).
Most recently, a tripartite agreement was brokered in 2020 involving different Bodo groups, the state and central government. This accord promised a “permanent” solution to the Bodo issue, with provisions for alterations to the BTAD, rehabilitation of surrendered NDFB militants and a special development package of ₹1,500 crore for the region. But most notable was the renaming of BTAD to Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) accompanied by an increase in legislative, executive, administrative and financial powers to BTC.
Revival of the Bodoland Statehood Movement
Despite the recent accord, dissatisfaction runs high among some factions of the Bodo community. The new organization has denounced the 2020 accord as a betrayal, pointing out the reduction in the area currently controlled by the BTC as a major concern. Furthermore, the proposal of redefining BTR boundaries based on Bodo and non-Bodo population distribution has also been met with resistance.
The Way Forward
The future trajectory of this movement will require the accord’s signatories to seek viable solutions that ensure effective implementation. Cooperation from relevant organizations is paramount. Simultaneously, concerns raised by non-Bodo communities including Koch-Rajbangshis, Adivasis and religious and linguistic minorities, need to be tactfully addressed to prevent the deepening of ethnic fault lines in Assam. Peace and stability in Assam’s Bodo heartland can only be achieved through an all-inclusive power sharing and governance model under the provisions of the Sixth Schedule.