Restructuring the past, reimagining the future: ethnic renewal process and claims for recognition as scheduled tribes in Darjeeling

Gendered Frames of Mobilization: Differential Participation of Women in Ethno-politics of Darjeeling

“…Following this decision, a renewed discourse of identity politics ensued in the hills. Groups listed as caste within the generic Nepali society started to assert their distinctive ethnic traits by meticulously collecting their cultural remnants and framing their identities as indigenous and primitive tribal groups of the Himalayan region (Chhetri, 2016, p. 7). The characteristic feature of these demands was the public display of cultural traits that were resuscitated from the past, and presented before the state through cultural performances.…”

“…The characteristic feature of these demands was the public display of cultural traits that were resuscitated from the past, and presented before the state through cultural performances. Ethnic groups used anthropological knowledge and engaged in auto-ethnography to collect details about their authentic cultural life from various segments of the hill society (Chhetri, 2016; 2017; Middleton, 2011, 2015; Shneiderman, 2015). Thus, alterity and difference became the defining feature of the ethnic renewal process.…”

“…Indeed, many argued that being a tribal society, gender norms within their traditional social structure were more egalitarian which they are trying to revive. The recent policy of the state to form developments boards for different ethnic groups have further escalated the quest for exclusive ethnic recognition in the hills (Chhetri, 2016, p. 10). The ethnic renewal claims have led to the search for old cultural practices associated with animist religion, marriage, rituals of mourning, child birth and so on.…”

Trajectories of Hybrid Governance: Legitimacy, Order and Leadership in India

“…Along with this, Ghisingh emphasized the tribal roots of the different Gorkha subgroups. Realizing that Gorkhaland was a distant dream, various ethnic associations also re‐focused their efforts to be recognized as ‘tribes’ by the government, a status that grants preferential treatment under government law such as quotas for government jobs (Chhetri, 2017; Middleton, 2016).…”

“…subgroups. Realizing that Gorkhaland was a distant dream, various ethnic associations also re-focused their efforts to be recognized as 'tribes' by the government, a status that grants preferential treatment under government law such as quotas for government jobs (Chhetri, 2017;Middleton, 2016). However, in 2007, in the middle of this tribalization movement, something rather unexpected happened.…”