JALUKBARI, Feb 27 - The XXII conference of the North East India Political Science Association (NEIPSA) on the theme �Public Policy and Politics in North East India: Issues and Challenges� and an ICSSR-sponsored seminar on the theme �Ethnic Homelands, Emerging Middle Class and Demand for Separate States in North East India� was organised by the Department of Political Science, Gauhati University on February 24 and 25.
The inaugural session of the seminar, which was held in the Phanidhar Dutta Seminar Hall of Gauhati University, started on a sombre note by paying tribute to Prof Kunja Medhi, former Professor of Political Science, Gauhati University, who passed away a few days back. This was followed by the presidential address by Prof Nani Gopal Mahanta, Head of the Department of Political Science and president of NEIPSA.
Prof Mahanta spelt out various approaches regarding the demand for separate homelands and the problems therein. In his opinion, the creation of states on ethnic lines is bound to happen in regions like the North East, where issues of insecurity and identity have hardly been taken care of.
Turning to the political scenario, Prof Mahanta traced the emergence of BJP on the basis of three factors, namely nationalism based on Hindutva ideology, good governance and the co-option of minor regional forces into the rainbow coalition. He was also conscious of the gradual transformation of Assamese identity with Hindu connotations and in this connection referred to the Citizenship Amendment Bill that proposes to legitimise the Bengali immigrants.
Prof Mahanta remarked that there is a growing tendency to homogenise Hinduism in Assam, neglecting the organic character of Assamese Hinduism. In this context, he referred to the growing tendency of the Indian state to replace organic Vaishnavik rituals by Vedic rituals in the socio-cultural fabric in Assam.
Dr Mridul Hazarika, Vice Chancellor of Gauhati University, delivered the inaugural speech. He talked about the diversity of the North East and stressed the need to work towards assimilation. He was hopeful that NEIPSA can do a lot in this direction.
Invited guest Dr Arup Jyoti Choudhury, Register-in-charge and Dean (Academic) of KK Handiqui State Open University in his speech, stressed on the need to bring flexibility in the methodology of research. He is of the view that policy makers need to understand that without securing the lives of the people, no policy can be successful.
The keynote address was delivered by Hindol Sengupta on �Modernity, Nationalism and Vivekananda�. In his speech, Sengupta discussed about the relevance of Vivekananda in contemporary times. Integrating modernity with progressiveness, the speaker stressed on the need for revival of Indian philosophy based on pluralism and inclusiveness.
However, the speaker lamented the fact that the present Indian society has failed to embrace the higher Indian values of inclusiveness and pluralism that prevents it from becoming progressive and modern. In this connection he referred to Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramhansa�s contribution to enrich Indian civilisation and culture. The speaker also highlighted the role of market and entrepreneurial potentials of the common people in eradicating poverty in India.
On the second day, the V Venkat Rao Memorial Talk was delivered by prominent writer and women activist Prof Madhu Kishwar. Speaking on one of the most contentious political debates, the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, Prof Kishwar noted that the bitter polarisation of opinion over the issue had worsened relations between the communities, especially the Hindus and the Muslims.
The lecture was followed by an engaging interactive session where critical questions were raised on issues of a possible majoritarianism, the feasibility of a Uniform Civil Code, definition of the word secular, etc.
Representatives from various colleges and universities of North East India took part in the NEIPSA conference. The valedictory session was addressed by Prof Madhurjya Bezbarua, Prof AC Talukdar and Prof Rajesh Dev of Delhi University.