Identity Politics and Ethnolinguistic Mobilisation in North Bengal: The Rajbanshi Community and the Kamtapur Movement

Abstract

The Rajbanshis are an indigenous community of northern West Bengal. In the past, they constituted the majority population in North Bengal, particularly in the districts of Jalpaiguri, Rangpur, Dinajpur, the plains of Darjeeling district, and the princely state of Cooch Behar. Besides North Bengal, the Rajbanshis also lived in other parts of Bengal and in Assam. Although there has been considerable debate regarding the origin and ethnic identity of the Rajbanshis, most researchers and historians agree that the Rajbanshis originated from a tribal community known as the Koch, who belonged to the Indo-Mongoloid ethnic group. Since the colonial period, large-scale migration of people belonging to different castes, classes, and religions into this region pushed the Rajbanshis towards relative marginalisation, landlessness, and socio-economic challenges. Against this background, the Kamtapur Movement emerged as a significant ethno-linguistic and political mobilisation. Its foundation is associated with the historical memory of the ancient Kamata Kingdom and the cultural identity of the Rajbanshi community. The movement has been driven by feelings of economic deprivation, cultural marginalisation, and inadequate political representation. It has put forward the demand for the creation of a separate Kamtapur State. The movement has witnessed different forms of mobilisation, ranging from democratic political participation to, in some cases, the adoption of militant or confrontational methods. The movement reflects the broader tensions existing within the federal structure of India, where regional aspirations become intertwined with issues of identity-based politics, autonomy, and governance. Through a detailed examination of historical narratives, linguistic struggles, and political mobilisation, this research paper analyses the historical evolution of Rajbanshi identity and the trajectory of the Kamtapur Movement. The study argues that the movement is not merely a demand for regional reorganisation; rather, it is a deeper struggle for cultural dignity, linguistic preservation, and inclusive development. By highlighting the interrelationship among identity, marginalisation, and the establishment of political self-determination, this research paper contributes to a nuanced and deeper understanding of ethno-linguistic movements in contemporary India. At the same time, it also emphasises the significance of identity-based politics in articulating regional aspirations within the context of a multicultural society.

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