140115 UE Marginalisation, Maoism and the State in Central India (2012W)

In recent years, Maoism (in India also referred to as Naxalism) has grown and spread its tentacles in major Central Indian States, especially in the hilly and forest clad tribal areas of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha (Orissa) bordering Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. It has posed an enormous and unprecedented challenge to the affected state governments as well as the central government in Delhi. Reports indicate that 162 districts across 13 states have been affected by violence and, of them, 75 districts are inhabited by tribal populations. In many areas, these groups are directly subject to oppressive exploitation, marginalization, deprivation, and crushing indignities. The government has a clear perception that geographical isolation, rough terrain, lack of land reforms, poor employment opportunities and iniquitous socio-political structures, all have contributed significantly to the growth and spread of violent ideologies.

The issue is very complex. In this seminar we will focus on the Odisha (Orissa) situation in particular and discuss and analyze various socio-political and economic dimensions of the issue from a historical perspective and within a broad framework of understanding the regional cultures of India.

Topics:

Marginalization of Tribal Cultures: Historical Perspectives
Land Alienation and Exploitation of Tribal Communities
Industrialization, Development, Displacement and Disarticulation
Welfare Programmes and Role of Voluntary Agencies
Vested Interests and Electoral Politics
Christianization, Hinduization and Ethnic Tensions
Maoists and the State: Dialogues and Dissensions