Ethnicity and Identity movements

Every nation around the globe has its own culture, values, customs, and way of leading life. All these things are clubbed under one umbrella term—ethnicity. Throughout history, colonisers have tried to impose their culture on the native population of the countries they have had political control over. Third World countries under colonial rule experienced whitewashing the most, which led to ethnic movements across the globe.

An ethnic movement is a way to protect the cultural identity of ethnic groups. As groups strive to retain their distinct identity in a diverse country, ethnic movements are bound to rise. Ethnic movements in India emerged as resistance to the changes imposed by the British. But before we discuss the reasons behind these culturally-significant movements in India, let us understand what ethnic movements are.

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What are Ethnic Movements?

Simply put, ethnic movements obstruct social change. Any part of the population that sees its culture-changing tends to resist it through an ethnic movement. These movements can be concentrated in particular regions of a country or spread throughout the nation. In a culturally-diverse country, chances of an ethnic movement increase, especially if regional subgroups feel their roots are being tampered with. Ethnic movements are quests to save one’s culture, language, territory, religion, or region. Ethnic groups enact them to gain power, secure their rights, and get acknowledgment. Usually, countries with a spectrum of ethnicities tends to witness more ethnic movements simply because the integration of these vast diversities can become politically, economically, and socially challenging. Moreover, looking out for all ethnic groups when it comes to employment opportunities, government formation, and more has its share of obstacles. Ethnic movements can be silent or violent. That said, movements that utilise violence often have secessionist or separatist motives. Regardless of the nature of ethnic movements, they can be disruptive for both democracies and societies. 

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Characteristics of Ethnic Movements

Ethnic movements differ from other types of conflicts, revolutions, and social reforms—and have characteristics that are peculiar only to them. These nuances give an insight into how these movements are organised. Here are some distinct characteristics of ethnic movements: 

Culturally oriented

A prominent characteristic of ethnic movements is that they are culturally oriented. Their main aim is to protect one’s culture and ensure its continuation. Ethnic movements lay great emphasis on following roots and the traditional way of life while resisting change. 

Ethnocentric in nature

Ethnocentrism refers to the perception of other cultures through one’s cultural lens. Ethnic movements are often ethnocentric in nature, which means that the group enacting the movement perceives strategies and decisions of other cultures and regions, as well as problems and situations, only on the basis of the preconceived notions that are the standard in their way of life. 

Ethnic groups as pioneers 

Ethnic movements are always pioneered by ethnic groups. An ethnic group is a group of people that share commonalities in language, culture, geography, religion, and customs. These groups begin the ethnic movements to ensure that they get to live the way their culture dictates. 

Rigidity and resistance 

Another prominent characteristic of ethnic movements is rigidity. Groups that begin ethnic movements are rigid in their beliefs, and thus do not applaud social changes. If policies and societal changes are obstructing, degrading, or in opposition to their way of life, they choose to raise their voices. 

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Ethnic Movements in India

India is a vast land, home to diversity in every corner. Right from cities to villages, various ethnicities co-exist together here. However, India has also seen clashes between these groups. Here are some major ethnic movements that have taken place in India:

Ethnic movement in Punjab

Also known as the Khalistan movement, it was started by a section of Sikhs who wanted an independent Khalistan. The movement began in the 1970s and continued till the 1990s. The group wanted more autonomy and a country of its own and resorted to violence as means to an end. The government launched Operation Blue Star to counter the militant actions of the group and shot down armed terrorists in the Golden Temple in Amritsar. As a consequence of this operation, the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, was shot down by her Sikh bodyguards.

Gorkhaland movement

The Gorkhaland movement is one of the most recent ethnic movements in India. It began in 1980 with the goal of carving an independent state of Gorkhaland from West Bengal on the basis of language. Subhash Gising, the founder of the National Liberation Front, is a prominent figure in this movement, which is also backed by Nepal.

Ethnic movement in Assam

Since the independence of India, various tribes across Assam have been organising ethnic movements. Tribes, such as the Bodo, have been demanding a separate state to safeguard their culture and lifestyle. Many people have been killed and left many homeless because of these ethnic movements in the state. 

Conclusion

Since before independence, ethnic movements in India have been enacted due to the vast spectrum of diversity that the country enjoys. While some movements took root to fight the cultural whitewashing imposed by the British, many others have been organised by ethnic groups to protect their language, culture, and way of life. Some prominent ethnic movements of India are:

• Khalistan movement in Punjab
• Gorkhaland movement in West Bengal
• Ethnic movement in Assam