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About the University

Kazi Nazrul University (A State-Aided University established by West BengalState Legislative Assembly)

Chancellor

The Honourable Governor of West Bengal

Sri Keshri Nath Tripathi

Vice Chancellor

Prof (Dr.) Sadhan Chakraborti

Kazi Nazrul University

Asansol-713340

PaschimBarddhaman

West Bengal

India

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Introducing the Department of Political Science

a) Brief History of the Department:

The Department of Political Science has been in progress since the academic session of 2014-15.

Initially, the classes of the department used to be held at the old campus (Old ADDA Building, Near

Asansol, Girls’ College) of the university. Prof. Asoke Kumar Bhaduri (Retd. Associate Professor,

B. C. College, Asansol) was the coordinator of the Department at the initial stage. Prof. (Dr.) Sandip

Ghatak (Teacher-in-Charge, Asansol Girls’ College), Prof. Swapan Dutta, Prof. Savera Sharma, Prof.

Mongola Prasad Bhattacharjee, Prof. Falguni Mukhopadhyay and Prof. Patrali Sinha had served in

the first academic session as Guest Faculties. The department was shifted to the main campus of the

university in the academic session of 2015-16. The department had also got four substantive teaching

posts (One each for Professor and Associate Professor, and two for Assistant Professors). Out of

those, the posts of the Assistant Professors were filled in by Prof. Kunal Debnath and Prof. Asis

Mistry in September, 2015. Prof. Debnath had joined the charge of the Coordinator of the Department

in May 2016 and served till April, 2018. Another three teaching posts were sanctioned in the mid-

2017. The department got three more permanent faculties in the form of Prof. (Dr.) Debasish Nandy,

Associate Professor, Prof. Anupam Patra, Assistant Professor and Prof. Himadri Chatterjee, Assistant

Professor in May, 2018. Dr. Nandy had joined (and also serving) the charge of the Head of the

Department on and from May 04, 2018. Most recently, the department has planned to introduce M.

Phil and Ph. D programmes on and from the academic session of 2018-19.

b) Vision of the Department:

The Department of Political Science will create a climate on campus and in the greater community

that promotes tolerance and acceptance of differing viewpoints which will foster civic-mindedness

and civic responsibility. The Department will contribute to a better understanding of the world by

engaging in and supporting intercultural and interdisciplinary studies. In addition, the Department

shall work to offer our students the best education possible by continuing to explore appropriate

know-hows for inclusion in the learning experience. The Department shall continue to explore

emerging issues in pedagogy that make for a more productive learning environment. Using a value‐

added approach to education and learning, it will contribute to the future success of our students by

helping them to develop skill sets that can make them competitive in the employment market, inclined

to be active in the political arena, and committed to life‐long learning experiences. The department

is also committed to the process of developing, refining, and implementing an active assessment

process that provides us with information and insight into how to improve our educational and co‐

curricular offerings. Therefore, the goal of the department is to transmit the knowledge of the

discipline by providing courses, characterized by academic excellence as well as social relevance.

c) Mission of the Department:

To translate the vision into reality.

To provide basic knowledge regarding concepts, theories, issues and debates that characterize

the study of contemporary Political Science so that students can confidently appear

in NET, SET and other competitive examinations;

To identify probable areas of future research and enhance skills so that some of the students

can be at the forefront of research in the near future; and,

To initiate intellectual urge among the students for understandings most pressing political

issues in terms of historical, comparative, theoretical and policy-oriented perspectives.

To give importance to our educational mission and learning in both high quality and

innovative teaching and support for outstanding student experience.

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Commitment to the highest standards of academic consistency and vitality. Serving the social,

cultural and economic needs of the community & the society.

To give importance to a strong research of students and faculty.

The Department should build its distinctive heritage and archive a better integration among

different dimensions of our work.

To create a highly manifested academic environment to support better student experience and

teaching as well as research.

To provide some special lectures of some eminent Professors of Political Science and its

allied subjects to the students.

Provide new technologies for teaching-learning and research, e.g. OHP, Virtual Classrooms,

Wifi etc.

Programme/ Course Offered:

Name of the Course Duration Total Intake

a) M.A. 2 Years 70

b) M.Phil. 2 Years 04

c) Ph.D. 3-5 Years 14

Present Faculty Members

Name Designation Contact/Email

1

Dr. Debasish Nandy Associate Professor &

Head

debasishnandy.kc@gmail.com

+91- 9830318683

Sri Kunal Debnath Assistant Professor

kunal.debnath@knu.ac.in

+919433673354

Dr. Asis Mistry Assistant Professor asis.mistry@knu.ac.in

+91-9051623516

Sri Anupam Patra Assistant Professor

anupamju9@gmail.com

+91-9635527601

Dr. Himadri Chatterjee Assistant Professor

himadri.atw@gmail.com

+91-9958621937

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Introducing the Centre for Studies of South and South-East Asian Societies

Present Designators

Name Designation Contact/Email

1

Dr. Debasish Nandy Coordinator debasishnandy.kc@gmail.com

+91- 9830318683

Dr. Asis Mistry Joint Coordinator asis.mistry@knu.ac.in

+91-9051623516

Dr. Himadri Chatterjee Joint Coordinator

himadri.atw@gmail.com

+91-9958621937

The following external academic experts have been associated with the Centre:

1. Dr. Sanjay Bhardwaj, Professor and Director, Centre for South Asian Studies, SIS, JNU, New Delhi, India

2. Dr. Ganga Thapa, Professor. Department of Political Science, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal

3. Dr. Anil Kumar Mahapatra, Professor and Head, Department of Political Science, Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, Orisa, India

4. Dr. Awal Hussain Mollah, Professor and Head, Department of Public Administration, Rajshashi University, Rajshashi, Bangladesh

5. Dr. Mahesh Senakayake, Professor, Department of Politics and Government, Colombo, Sri Lanka

6. Dr. Mahesh Ranjan Debata, Director, Centre for Inner-Asian Studies, SIS, JNU, New Delhi, India

7. Dr. Li Thai Ha, Senior Lecterer, Department of Economics, RMIT University, Ho-Chi-Minh City, Vietnam

8. Dr. Ramakrishnan Dharmar, Professor and Head, Department of Political Science, Kamraj University, Madurai, India

9. Dr. Biswanath Chakraborty, Professor, Department of Political Science, Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata, India

10. Dr. Martin Malek, Faculty Member, Institute for Strategy and Security Policy, National Defence Academy, Vienna, Austria

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Message from the Dean, Arts

वर्तमान समय में दक्षिण एक्षियाई देि राष्ट्र ीयर्ा, जार्ीयर्ा, धमत और सुरिा के संकट से गुजर रहे हैं, जो क्षदन-

प्रक्षर्क्षदन और अक्षधक जक्षटल होरे् जा रहे हैं । भारर् भी इसके प्रभाव से अछूर्ा नही ंहै । फलस्वरूप इन देिो ंका

सामाक्षजक, आक्षथतक और सांसृ्कक्षर्क क्षवकास अवरुद्ध हो रहा है । अर्ः ऐसे क्षवषय पर क़ाज़ी नज़रुल क्षवश्वक्षवद्यालय

के राजनीक्षर् क्षवज्ञान क्षवभाग द्वारा एक क्षदवसीय अंर्रराष्ट्र ीय संगोष्ठी का आयोजन क्षकया जाना अतं्यर् ही प्रासंक्षगक

है एवं प्रिंसनीय भी । अर्एव मैं इस संगोष्ठी की सफलर्ा के क्षलए िुभकामनाएँ व्यक्त करर्ा हँ ।

प्रोफेसर क्षवजय कुमार भारर्ी,

अध्यि, कला संकाय,

काजी नज़रुल क्षवश्वक्षवद्यालय,

आसनसोल ।

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Message of Joint Convener(s)

The Department of Political Science, Kazi Nazrul University has decided to organize a One Day International Conference on “Nationalism, Ethnicity, Religion and Security in South Asia”. This

conference is going to be held with the financial assistance of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute

of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS), Kolkata. It will be organized in collaboration with Centre for Studies

of South and South-East Asian Societies, KNU & Bengal Institute of Political Studies, Kolkata. We

are grateful to our Honourable Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Sadhan Chakraborti for granting

permission to organize this conference. He has guided us in many ways. Without his whole-hearted

cooperation it was impossible to organize this international event. We are thankful to our

collaborators and sponsors. We should convey our gratitude to our respected recourse persons. We

have received a good number of quality abstracts across the country. We have shortlisted the

abstracts. Last but not least, on behalf the conveners, we would like to convey our greeting to the

paper presenters. We do hope this conference will able to endeavor many new avenues and also

resolve the quires of the designated scholars of this field.

Why we have chosen this topic? South Asia has been a hot-spot of world politics. There are a number

of key factors for becoming the hot-spot of this region. The basic objectives of this conference are to

explore the relationship between the nationalism, ethnicity, religion and security and how these make

impacts of world politics. The question of ethnicity remains a crucial variable in the process of the

formation and consolidation of state structure in particular and nation-building in general in South

Asia. All the South Asian states have witnessed sporadic ethnic fragmentation and conflict in

different magnitude in the latter half of the twentieth century. These movements based on ethnicity

have been reshaping debates on the definition of nation, nationalism and the structure of the state in

this part of the world. The creation of India and Pakistan and later on Bangladesh on the basis of

ethnic identity, civil war between Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri-Lanka, politicization of ethnicity by

the Maoists in Nepal are some of the few specimens of growing ethnic assertiveness in this South

Asia. However, unlike other South Asian states, nation building in Maldives stays very robust due to

the nature of mono-ethnic nature society and polity. Hence, the task of national integration and

nation-building in South Asia has been seriously endangered vis-a-vis the rise of innumerable ethno-

nationalistic sentiments. A major challenge for these plural states has been to play the dual role of

managing the ethnic forces on the one hand and carrying out the task of nation-building on the other.

Therefore, if the urge for recognition as “nations” based on “ethnic self-determination” is symbolized

as a resistance against the overriding power structure of the state, South Asia has been “a

kaleidoscope of latent, overt and explosive ethnicity”.

The intensification of nationalistic spirits on the part of ethnic factions frequently proceeded hand in

hand with the growing proclamation on the part of majority and dominant ethnic groups for the

elevation and, in some cases the reinstatement of their political, economic and socio-cultural

privileges. These plural states, therefore, born with a lack of internal cohesion and confronted ethnic

divergence between majorities and minorities, social fragmentation, civil dissonance, institutional

decay and regime instability, that made the errands of nation-building and governing difficult. In

addition, the post-colonial and nation-building approaches have focused on creating a unified

“national identity” based on either common political values and citizenship or a putative majoritarian

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“ethnic identity”. Both the approaches tried to constitute “a pulverized and uniform sense of national

identity to coincide with state boundaries that seldom reflect ethnic divisions on the ground”. The

modernization theories discard the notion that states incorporating more than one ethnic group could

be both stable and harmonious. However, “identity movements have the potential to expand and

deepen democracy by pushing for states that are more equitable in their distribution of resources and

power among their citizens” because democracy emboldens pluralism and delivers the scope to the

relegated groups to express their accounts. The question of security has been raised as a key

concerned to SAARC countries. Due to religious extremism, ethnic conflicts and radical nationalism

a number of terrorist activates and secessionist movements had happened over the last two decades.

How to protect this region from cross-border terrorism and attacks of extra-regional powers through

joint mechanism this is a million dollar question. This conference will try to explore all of the quires

through thought provoking speeches and insightful debates.

Joint Convener

Dr. Debasish Nandy Dr. Asis Mistry

Associate Professor & Head Assistant Professor

Department of Political Science Department of Political Science

Kazi Nazrul University Kazi Nazrul University

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Message from the Organizing Secretary

The conference on "Nationalism, Ethnicity, Religion and Security in South Asia" is a moment of

significant personal and institutional learning. The institutions which have come together to plan and

host this academic event are deeply involved in the creation of a grounded regional network of

knowledge production. An international conference is precisely the kind of nodal moment that such

a network of institution needs to deepen and widen its reach and commitment. The Department of

Political Science owes deep gratitude to MAKAIAS, BIPS and the administrators of Kazi Nazrul

University for helping in the planning, funding and hosting of this Conference.

This is also a moment of commencement for the Centre for South and South East Asian Societies.

The Centre was built as part of the ongoing experiment of building a regional network of scholars

interested in cross-disciplinary and critical research work in Humanities and Social Sciences. It is my

dearest wish to see this centre grow into a commanding presence beyond the hubs of academic

economy which have been concentrated in the older colonial metropoles of the subcontinent. The

centre and its journal have been built on the vision of a southern solidarity, a solidarity that forms at

the edge of the metropolitan and national academia, couched in between international and regional

contact and exchange.

I hope that new imaginations of region and new practices of knowledge and exchange will find a

significant platform at this conference and the new institutions that begin their journey from here.

Secretary

Dr. Himadri Chatterjee

Assistant Professor

Department of Political Science

Kazi Nazrul University

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Concept Note of the Conference

Nationalism, Ethnicity, Religion and Security in South Asia

The experience of democracy in South Asia is a combination of gains and losses. Nationalism,

ethnicity, religion and security are inter-related in South Asian context. The process of nation

building has not been completed in South Asia due to puzzling of adaptation of the nationalistic

discourse of the West. The ethnic conflicts and violent religious politics have dominated the political

history of most of the South Asian states. Hence they have been passing through a tremendous

security threat. India is facing the problem of nation-building due to its multi-ethnic, multi-religious,

multi-lingual and multi-cultural nature of society. Over the years, after the independence, a number

of regional insurgencies are faced by India. Pakistan ethnicity, religion are playing negative role. It

has been a failed state for unable to securing human rights. Sri Lanka had bitter expiree of ethno-

religious politics. Bangladesh had to face Chakma crisis over the decades. In South Asian context, it

can be said; there is a vexed relationship between the ethnicity and nationalism. In case of Nepal it

more applicable. In comparison with other states of South Asia, nation building in Maldives is very

strong due to the nature of single-ethnic nature of it is society. The process of nation-building has not

been completed in most of the South Asian countries. One of the basic reasons of failure of national

integration is ethnic problem. Like Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Afghanistan Nepal has witnessed many

ethnic uprisings. The policies of exclusion and ethnic cleansing have been adopted by the number of

governments in this region which leads to political complexity. In a multi-ethnic country, it is

essential to ensure the equal distributive policy towards all of the ethnic groups. Through tolerance

and synthesis the progress and consolidation of an ideal society can be established. The socio-

political outlook of Nepal is not balanced. The perception of nation building in Nepal is very

complicated. In its democratic process, all ethnic groups have not been incorporated. A large number

of ethnic groups have no constitutional rights. The ‘excluded people’ feel deprivation and a tendency

of secessionism grow among the members. This is the danger of assimilationist narrative of national

integration.

The relationship between democracy and diversity has proved particularly difficult in South Asia, for

both ends of this pose a challenge in this region. Each and every ethnic groups demands for

recognition and accommodation in their search for releasing collective goals. Since the members of

the groups are not only individuals or citizens, but also a community—which claims identity. Identity

crisis has been reflected properly in Nepal, which creates political and social cleavages. The Nepali

experience demonstrates that diversities are not given fact, that community identities are not frozen

identities, with each group living its distinct cultural life. Like other South Asian nations, the spirit

of Nepali nationalism has not been tested. The advent of modern democracy in Nepal was unlike the

other countries as it was not a part of colonial legacy but the outcome of a struggle against absolute

monarchy. Hobsbawm stated that “the call of ethnicity or language provides no guidance to the future

at all, even when new states are found on the basis of the language or ethnic composition. It is merely

a protest against the status quo or, more precisely, against ‘the others’ who threaten the ethnically

defined group. For unlike fundamentalism which , however narrow and sectarian in its actual appeal,

draws its strength from the claim to universal truth, theoretically applicable to all, nationalism by

definition excludes from its purview all who do not belong to its own ‘nation”. However, the South

Asian states are facing tremendous crisis of security over the years. The key objectives of the

conference are to explore the causal relations between the nationalism, ethnicity, religion and security

in South Asia. It has an aims to find out some recommendations in order to secure human security in

this region. There are four sub- themes of proposed conference-------------

1. Problems of Nation-building in South Asia 2. Ethnic Crisis and Ethnic cleansing in South Asia and its Impact 3. Religion Politics and Violence in South Asia 4. Political violence, Human Security and Terrorism in South Asia

- 12 -

Programme Schedule

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS), Kolkata

Sponsored

International Conference

On

Nationalism, Ethnicity, Religion and Security in South Asia

Date: 9th September, 2018

Organized By

Department of Political Science

Kazi Nazrul University

Asansol, West Bengal

In Collaboration With

Centre for Studies of South and South-East Asian Societies, KNU

&

Bengal Institute of Political Studies, Kolkata

9. 45 AM- Registration

10:20 A. M. – Inaugural Song

By

Jinnat Akhtar

10. 30 A. M. - Inaugural Speech

By

Professor (Dr.) Sadhan Chakraborti, Honourable Vice Chancellor, Kazi Nazrul University

10: 40 AM- Chief Guest’s Address

By

Director-in-Charge, MAKAIAS

10: 50 A.M. – Welcome Note By

Professor (Dr.) Vijay Kumar Bharty, Dean, Faculty of Arts, KNU

10:55 A.M- Keynote Address

By

Dr. Martin Malek, Faculty Member, Institute for Strategy and Security Policy,

National Defence Academy, Vienna, Austria

11 A.M. to 11: 15 A.M. - Tea Break

11:15 A.M to 1.30 P.M. - Plenary Session

Session Chair

Dr. Martin Malek

- 13 -

Speakers

Dr. Tulsi Das

Department of Social Work, Shahjalal University of Science &Technology, Syllet, Bangladesh.

Ex. Dean, School of Social Sciences; Ex. Head, Department of Social Work, Shahjalal

University of Science & Technology)

Professor (Dr.) Raj Kumar Kothari

President, Bengal Institute of Political Studies (BIPS)

Professor, Department of Political Science with Rural Administration, Vidyasagar University

Dr. Mahesh Ranjan Debata,

Director, Centre for Inner Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawharlal Nehru

University, New Delhi

Professor (Dr.) Ramakrishnan Dharmer

Professor & Head, Department of Political Science

Madurai Kamraj University, Tamil Nadu

Mr. R. Radhakrishnan,

Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor, Symbiosis Law School – Hyderabad, Symbiosis

International (Deemed University),

1.30 P.M. to 2.30 P.M. - Lunch Break

2.30 P.M. to 4.30 P.M. - Parallel Panels for Paper Presentation

Panel – I

(Nation and Nationalism in South Asia)

Session Chair: Prof. (Dr.) Biswanath Chakraborty

Secretary of BIPS

&

Professor, Department of Political Science, Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata

Co-Chair: Dr. Anil Kumar Biswas

Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, The University of Burdwan, W.B

Sl.

No.

Paper Presenter Abstract

1 Abhisek Karmakar

Surendranath Bannerjea and the Fostering of ‘The Idea

of India’: The Making of a Nation

2 Sanchita Nag Bhudev Mukhopadhyay and the Construction of

“Jatiyabhab”

3 Sunita Mandal A Sense of nationalism in Today's India

4 Priyanka Bhaduri Unity in Culture: A South Asian Perspective

5 Parthasarati Banerjee Problems of Nation Building in South Asia – An

Analysis

6 Bimalendu Ghosh Nation Building and the Role of Political Parties in South

Asia

7 Samya Sundar Mahato South Asia and Nationalism: Challenges From We and

They

8 Rukmini Bhattacharjee Challenges of development and nation-building in South

Asia

9 Tony Mathew Nation Building In South Asia Through Challenges:

India, Pakistan And Nepal An Analytical Overview

- 14 -

Panel-II

(South Asian Security)

Session Chair: Dr. Mahesh Ranjan Debata,

Director, Centre for Inner Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawharlal Nehru

University, New Delhi

Co-Chair

Dr. Arindam Roy

Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, The University of Burdwan, W.B

Sl. Paper Presenter Abstract

1 Amit Kumar Mandal Climate Change: Globalization of Insecurity and Threats to Human Security

2 Joyprokash Mondol Motion Pictures of Security: The Perceptional Responses in South Asia

3 Assunta Mandonca

Human Security Challenges Confronting the South Asian

Region

4 Bikash Naskar Security and Terrorism: Challenges from South Block

5 Debtanu Majee Conflicts and Security in South Asia

6 Palash Das Environmental Security in South Asia: A Conceptual

Framework

7 Parikshit Thakur Issues and Challenges of Water Security of South Asia in the Twenty First Century

8 Afroz Ahmad

Regional Security Cooperation in South Asia: A Recent

Development

9 Sailen Das Food Security remains the Core Struggle to Indian Farmers-

Look at WTO Conference in Buenos Aires

10 Siddhartha Sankar

Manna

Role of Non-Governmental Militant Groups: Cross Border

Linkages and Implications of India and Sri Lanka

11 Sudipta Mondal Third World Countries: Why Challenges in Security

12 Balwinder Singh Problems of Terrorism in South Asian Region

13 Gulab Mir Rahmany Foreign Relations of India and Afghanistan during 2001-

2016

14 Nazmul Hussain Laskar Indo-Bangladesh Relations: Major Issues and Challenges

Panel-III

(Ethnicity, Religion and Politics in South Asia)

Session Chair

Dr. Sandip Ghatak,

Associate Professor, Asansol Girl’s College, Asansol., West Bengal

Co-Chair

Dr. Prasenjit Pal

Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, The University of Burdwan, W.B

Sl. Paper Presenter Abstract

1 Abhishek Mitra

SAARC, the Miniature of South Asian Reality: Possibility

and Dilemma

2 Amitayu Chakravarty

Decoding the ‘Adivasi’ in the context of Nation-Building

in India

3 Shatarupa Pal

Social Exclusion and Ethnic Problem in South Asia: Issues

and Concerns

- 15 -

4 Nandan Saha

Violence Against Ethnic Identities in Myanmar: Kachin

Crisis

5 Sanjit Pal Ethnic Problems in Bhutan: Implications

6 Prasanta Kumar Routray Insurgency and Ethnic Conflict in South Asia: An Analysis

7 Dalia Hossain Secularism and the State of Pakistan

9 Tirtha Mondal Role of Secularism in Contemporary Indian Democracy

10 Vinod Kumar Religious Politics in South Asia

11 Mithun Biswas Communal Politics in India and Its Consequences

12 Subrat Biswal

Transition of Nation-Building in India: A Threat from

Regional Chauvinism

13 Sushmita Barui

Nation-Building and Ethnic Problem in South Asia

Panel-IV

(Democracy and Governance in South Asia: Issues and Challenges)

Session Chair: Prof. Uddalak Roy

Vice-President of BIPS

&

Associate Professor and Head, Department of Political Science, Haringhata Maha Vidyalaya, Nadia

Co-Chair: Dr. Budh Bahadur Lama

Assistant Professor

Department of Political Science, Sikkim University, Gangtok

Sl. Paper Presenter Abstract

1 Pradipta Mukherjee Political Violence and the Aspiring Democracy:

Understanding Maldives

2 Mamata Patra

Gender Violence and Threats to Nation-Building Process:

A Comparative Study of India and Pakistan|

3 Sanchita Hazra Religious Terrorism: Bangladesh Perspective

4 Abhisikta Paul Are We Living in a Democratic Country? Analysis of

Narendra Modi Era

5 Swarup Maity Globalization and Terrorism in South Asia

6 Pradeep Adhikary Pakistan and State-Sponsored Terrorism in India

7 Bijoy Prasad Das Religion and Politics in South Asia

8 Wasim Khan

A Study in the Problems of Nation-Building in South Asia

because of Existence of Some causes of Disintegrations

and Disharmony

9 Ambrina Khan India’s Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalization

Strategy in Combating Cyber Terrorism: A Global Issue

10 Ramkrishna Mahanti Crisis of National Security and Development in India: A

Review of Chakma Issue in North East Region

11 Amalesh Paikara Problems of South Asia in International Politics

12 Bhaswati Chakrabortty Women participation in politics in the south Asian region

13 Subhasis Kar Transparency in Local Governance in India

14 Nijesh United Nations Responses to Rohingya Crisis

- 16 -

Panel—V

(Registers of Exclusion: Economy, Law, Literature and Identity in South Asia)

Session Chair

Prof. (Dr. Ramakrishnan Dharmer

Professor & Head, Department of Political Science

Madurai Kamraj University, Tamil Nadu

Co-Chair

Dr. Dipak Kumar Sarkar

Principal, Bijoy Pal Memorial B. Ed. College

Hirapur, Burnpur, West Bengal

Sl. Paper Presenter Abstract

1 Saswata GuhaThakurata

Who belong to the Nation and Whom Does the National

Income belong to? An Economic Perspective on the Ethnic

Conflict, (In)security and Re-emergence of Aggressive

Nationalism

2 Panchanan Bhoi

Professional Occupancy and Sustainability of Palm Leaf

Artisans in Puri District of Odisha: An Empirical Study

3 Ghazala Parveen

Recent Trends in South Asian Politics- Rohingya Crisis to

NRC Bill in India

4 Sampurna Das

Understanding the Migrant Illegality and State-Building: A

Case Study from Assam, India

5 Anwesha Chattopadhyay A Glimpse into Afghan Ethnic Variances through Khaled

Hosseini’s ‘The Kite Runner’

6 Syeda Nadia Ali

Interrogating Ethnic Identity of Marginalized in Amitava

Ghosh’s Writings

7 Ipsita Bannerjee Public Opinion: A Case Study of Nirbhaya and Shah Bano

8 Rajesh Das

Media Management and Communication Structure in

SAARC Region: Searching for a New Mapping of Media

Design

9 Sanu Rani Paul

Right to Self-Determination and Indian Federation:

Dimensions under the Constitution of India

10 Saikat Kar

Religion and Politics in Bangladesh: A Complex Identity

Building Process

4.30 P.M.- Vote of Thanks Dr. Asis Mistry

Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Kazi Nazrul University

The Entire Programme will be anchored by Dr. Himadri Chatterjee

Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science

Kazi Nazrul University

- 17 -

Abstracts of the Paper Presenters

Panel – I

(Nation and Nationalism in South Asia)

Sl.

No.

Paper Presenter Abstract Page

No.

1 Abhisek Karmakar

Surendranath Bannerjea and the Fostering of ‘The Idea of

India’: The Making of a Nation

21

2 Sanchita Nag Bhudev Mukhopadhyay and the Construction of

“Jatiyabhab”

22

3 Sunita Mandal A Sense of nationalism in Today's India 23

4 Priyanka Bhaduri Unity in Culture: A South Asian Perspective 24

5 Parthasarati Banerjee Problems of Nation Building in South Asia – An Analysis 25

6 Bimalendu Ghosh Nation Building and the Role of Political Parties in South

Asia

26

7 Samya Sundar

Mahato

South Asia and Nationalism: Challenges From We and They 27

8 Rukmini

Bhattacharjee

Challenges of development and nation-building in South

Asia

28

9 Tony Mathew Nation Building In South Asia Through Challenges: India,

Pakistan And Nepal An Analytical Overview

29

Panel-II

(South Asian Security)

1 Amit Kumar Mandal Climate Change: Globalization of Insecurity and Threats to Human Security

31

2 Joyprokash Mondol Motion Pictures of Security: The Perceptional Responses in South Asia

32

3 Assunta Mandonca

Human Security Challenges Confronting the South Asian

Region

33

4 Bikash Naskar Security and Terrorism: Challenges from South Block 34

5 Debtanu Majee Conflicts and Security in South Asia 35

6 Palash Das Environmental Security in South Asia: A Conceptual

Framework

36

7 Parikshit Thakur Issues and Challenges of Water Security of South Asia in the Twenty First Century

37

8 Afroz Ahmad

Regional Security Cooperation in South Asia: A Recent

Development

38

9 Sailen Das Food Security remains the Core Struggle to Indian Farmers-

Look at WTO Conference in Buenos Aires

39

10 Siddhartha Sankar

Manna

Role of Non-Governmental Militant Groups: Cross Border

Linkages and Implications of India and Sri Lanka 40

11 Sudipta Mondal Third World Countries: Why Challenges in Security 41

12 Balwinder Singh Problems of Terrorism in South Asian Region 42

13 Gulab Mir Rahmany Foreign Relations of India and Afghanistan during 2001-

2016

43

14 Nazmul Hussain

Laskar

Indo-Bangladesh Relations: Major Issues and Challenges 44

- 18 -

Panel-III

(Ethnicity, Religion and Politics in South Asia)

1 Abhishek Mitra

SAARC, the Miniature of South Asian Reality: Possibility

and Dilemma

46

2 Amitayu

Chakravarty

Decoding the ‘Adivasi’ in the context of Nation-Building in

India

47

3 Shatarupa Pal

Social Exclusion and Ethnic Problem in South Asia: Issues

and Concerns

48

4 Nandan Saha

Violence Against Ethnic Identities in Myanmar: Kachin

Crisis

49

5 Sanjit Pal Ethnic Problems in Bhutan: Implications 50

6 Prasanta Kumar

Routray

Insurgency and Ethnic Conflict in South Asia: An Analysis 51

7 Dalia Hossain Secularism and the State of Pakistan 52

9 Tirtha Mondal Role of Secularism in Contemporary Indian Democracy 53

10 Vinod Kumar Religious Politics in South Asia 54

11 Mithun Biswas Communal Politics in India and Its Consequences 55

12 Subrat Biswal

Transition of Nation-Building in India: A Threat from

Regional Chauvinism

56

13 Sushmita Barui Nation-Building and Ethnic Problem in South Asia 57

Panel-IV

(Democracy and Governance in South Asia: Issues and Challenges)

1 Pradipta Mukherjee Political Violence and the Aspiring Democracy:

Understanding Maldives

59

2 Mamata Patra

Gender Violence and Threats to Nation-Building Process: A

Comparative Study of India and Pakistan|

60

3 Sanchita Hazra Religious Terrorism: Bangladesh Perspective 61

4 Abhisikta Paul Are We Living in a Democratic Country? Analysis of

Narendra Modi Era

62

5 Swarup Maity Globalization and Terrorism in South Asia 63

6 Pradeep Adhikary Pakistan and State-Sponsored Terrorism in India 64

7 Bijoy Prasad Das Religion and Politics in South Asia 65

8 Wasim Khan

A Study in the Problems of Nation-Building in South Asia

because of Existence of Some causes of Disintegrations and

Disharmony

66

9 Ambrina Khan India’s Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalization

Strategy in Combating Cyber Terrorism: A Global Issue

67

10 Ramkrishna Mahanti Crisis of National Security and Development in India: A

Review of Chakma Issue in North East Region

68

11 Amalesh Paikara Problems of South Asia in International Politics 69

12 Bhaswati

Chakrabortty

Women participation in politics in the south Asian region 70

13 Subhasis Kar Transparency in Local Governance in India 71

14 Nijesh United Nations Responses to Rohingya Crisis 72

- 19 -

Panel-V

(Registers of Exclusion: Economy, Law, Literature and Identity in South Asia)

1 Saswata GuhaThakurata

Who belong to the Nation and Whom Does the National Income

belong to? An Economic Perspective on the Ethnic Conflict,

(In)security and Re-emergence of Aggressive Nationalism

74

2 Panchanan Bhoi

Professional Occupancy and Sustainability of Palm Leaf

Artisans in Puri District of Odisha: An Empirical Study 75

3 Ghazala Parveen

Recent Trends in South Asian Politics- Rohingya Crisis to NRC

Bill in India 76

4 Sampurna Das

Understanding the Migrant Illegality and State-Building: A

Case Study from Assam, India 77

5 Anwesha Chattopadhyay

A Glimpse into Afghan Ethnic Variances through Khaled

Hosseini’s ‘The Kite Runner’ 78

6 Syeda Nadia Ali

Interrogating Ethnic Identity of Marginalized in Amitava

Ghosh’s Writings 79

7 Ipsita Bannerjee Public Opinion: A Case Study of Nirbhaya and Shah Bano 80

8 Rajesh Das

Media Management and Communication Structure in SAARC

Region: Searching for a New Mapping of Media Design 81

9 Sanu Rani Paul

Right to Self-Determination and Indian Federation: Dimensions

under the Constitution of India 82

10 Saikat Kar

Religion and Politics in Bangladesh: A Complex Identity

Building Proces 83

- 20 -

Panel-I

(Nation and Nationalism in South Asia)

- 21 -

Surendranath Bannerjea and the Fostering of ‘The Idea of India’:

The Making of a Nation

Abhisek Karmakar

In the second half of nineteenth century in Bengal the idea of India, or in broader sense, the national

reverential feeling of ‘Indian-ness’ emerged as an inevitable consequence of the rigorous activities

of some social reformers and activists, the rise of vernacular press and the establishment of civil and

political associations. By the late nineteenth century this feeling of national consciousness imbued

with liberal and democratic political ideal got huge acceleration with the vigorous activities of some

activist-thinkers like Woomesh Chandra Bonnerjee, Surendranath Banerjea, Lalmohun Ghosh and

Mammohun Ghosh. Among them Surendranath Banerjea, ‘the Man of Political Agitation’ was the

most prominent activist as well as thinker who took significant role in the process of diffusion of this

idea of India, or the national reverential feelings of Indian-ness in the last quarter of nineteenth

century. He rendered remarkable service in the making of this idea of India through a wide range of

activities in terms of the ideal of liberal constitutionalism, turbulent journalism, and associational

activities through his Indian Association, the National Conference and the Indian National congress.

This paper is an attempt to explore the role and contribution of Surendranath Banerjea in the making

of a national reverential feeling, or the feeling of ‘Indian-ness’.

Key Words: Surendranath Bannerjea, Nation, Idea of India, Indian-ness

- 22 -

Bhudev Mukhopadhyay and the Construction of “Jatiyabhab”

Sanchita Nag

Nationalism, as says John Hutchinson and Anthony Smith, is one of the most powerful forces in the

modern world. As an ideology and movement, Benedict Anderson regarded nationalism as a modern

artefact. Since the middle of the eighteenth century it was almost “natural” that everyone should have

a national identity. Where no such identity had still emerged, it was a necessary imperative that it

should emerge. Nations were, as if, everywhere. What was only needed was to awaken and rejuvenate

them by arousing its spirit - nationalism.

The exclusive cohesion and co-existence of two entirely distinct cultures, that of Indian and

European, in the initial years of the British rule in India, has been marked by most of the

contemporary scholars as the culmination of an indigenous national consciousness. This newly

emerged consciousness “manifested itself in concerns for the improvement of ‘society’ and a

burgeoning pride in the inherited culture”. The English educated Bengali elite of the period, well

acquaint with both indigenous and Western scholarship, undertook the project of explaining the

impact and influence, this new and almost foreign ideology was exerting over the vast population of

India. With remarkable literary achievements, Bhudev Mukhopadhyay, for instance, presented his

much creditable notion of “Jatiyabhab” – a unique admixture and complex combination of cultural

and political nationalism - in order to contribute his effort to the same.

The present paper, in this regard, seeks to explore the contributions of Bhudev Mukhopadhyay – the

otherwise “Forgotten Brahmin”, but at the same time “the only social theorist that the celebrated age

of the Bengal Renaissance had produced”, toward the formation of the idea of Indian nation.

Key Words: Bhudev Mukhopadhyay, Jatiyabhab, nationalism, Bengal

- 23 -

A Sense of Nationalism in Today's India

Sunita Mandal

The feeling of love and pride towards the nation one is born in is purely natural. It is ingrained in

almost every human throughout the world. The concept of nationalism can be defined by both narrow

and broad concepts. But in general, a sense of nationalism requires oneness, feeling the goodness of

the nation and its people, unity in diversity and respect, love and pride towards the nation by its

citizens. To understand nationalism – a profound feeling for one’s nation – one must know the

meaning of what constitutes a nation.

Indian nationalism developed as a concept during India’s freedom struggle against the colonial role

of the British. Indian nationalism is an instance of territorial nationalism, inclusive of its entire

people, despite their diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. In Indian perspective, nationalism

belongs to the category of anti-colonial nationalism. The nationalist movement of India took

organized form in 1885 when the Indian National Congress was set up and brought with it new hopes

and aspirations for independent India. As such, Nationalism in India signifies a common political

consciousness or patriotism with the purpose of attaining self-rule. Nationalism in India can be

defined as the growth and development of anti-colonial sentiment – from a movement for reasonable

constitutional reforms to a struggle for complete independence. Meanwhile, if we observe the recent

debates on nationalism then the term is being redefined for achieving political goals. The concept of

nationalism is being used for acquiring votes in the elections. There are lots of misconceptions and

propaganda about nationalism. Generally, the idea of nationalism becomes negative with irrational

blaming and the spread of hatred among the people. Nationalism is not a particular idea or thought

that can be identified in the name of religion, caste or community of the people, it’s beyond all these.

Now in India, the debate of nationalism vs anti-nationalism is taking new heights. But most of the

views are being used for political gain through misconception and half-truths. We must show our

love and respect towards the nation but that does not mean that we should take the law into our hands

and become violent. The nation never wants violence, hate and fear to reflect on its people. Instead,

we should stand for national integration.

Key Words: Nation, Nationalism, India, Anti-national

- 24 -

Unity in Culture: A South Asian Perspective

Priyanka Bhaduri

The word South Asia is an interesting for several reasons. a) The role of British Colonization, which

on one hand laid the creation of a regime through unification of policy and on the other it has created

division between district state having common cultures at the time of independence. b) The Indian

sub-continent is more familiar term for ‘South Asia’, and that have characterized by sensitive issue

of Partition. The Paper aims to answer few questions. What Does ‘South Asia’ indicates that ‘Indian

sub-continent’ does not? Does South Asia can be constructed as a common cultural space? Different

ideologies and the concept of regionalism (such a top down constructions focused on political &

economic institution and another is bottom up Construction characterised by a sentiment of belonging

which can be noted by emotions and practices). Lastly the paper deals with some criticism & its

implication regarding the name ‘SOUTH ASIA’ along with its political neutrality.

Key Words: Culture, Unity, South Asia, neutrality

- 25 -

Problems of Nation Building in South Asia – An Analysis

Parthasarathi Bannerjee

The birth of a nation in turn gives birth to the onerous task of nation-building which takes decades

or even centuries to bear fruit. South Asian countries are basically post-colonial states suffering

mostly from the malaise of unsuccessful nation-building. In India, from Nehru’s poetic tryst with

destiny at the midnight hour to Modi’s high-pitched GST launch at the stroke of the midnight, the

nation has walked miles in search of a coherent nationhood as enshrined brilliantly in its Constitution.

The emergence of Pakistan and Bangladesh as two ethnically homogenous nations could not produce

any stability or durable peace as there was no conscious effort at nation-building leading to long

periods of military rule and a vulnerable democracy encouraging Islamic fundamentalism,

unprecedented corruption and terrorism. Linguistic, racial, cultural, and religious diversities coupled

with semi-feudal, tribal and nomadic organizations of Afghanistan presented great obstacles to its

development as a nation-state particularly the internecine conflicts between the Tajiks, Afghans,

Uzbeks and Hazara’s. Sri Lanka on the other hand has been witness to the relentless use, abuse and

manipulation of state institutions leading to asymmetrical power relations among the Sinhalese and

the Tamils thus engendering repeated conflicts and making nation-building a more complicated issue.

In Maldives, due to its mono ethno-linguistic character, the task of nation-building was comparatively

easier although the tug-of-war between democracy and authoritarianism still continues unabated

while Nepal is yet to overcome its tremors of ethnic power-play to demonstrate itself as a true Nation.

Key Words: Nation, Culture, Nation-building, South Asia

- 26 -

Nation Building and the Role of Political Parties in South Asia

Bimalendu Ghosh

Post-independent South Asian Countries faced various challenges to the Nation Building process

such as religious problems, ethnic problems, poverty, security problems, under-development, and

illiteracy and so on and so forth. Most of the South Asian Countries adopted either Parliamentary

form of government or Presidential form of government with multi party democracy. Political parties

are vital of every South Asian Countries and they control the powers in every respect i.e. social,

political, economic and cultural. Political parties are the vain of the South Asian Countries. Thus, my

paper will discuss the Role of Political Parties to the Nation Building in South Asia. Then my paper

shed light on similarities and dissimilarities among the political parties in South Asia for Nation

building. Finally, my paper focuses on lessons from each other of the political parties in South Asia

for the Nation Building process. The Methodology of my article will be based on analytical review

of books, journal articles, newspaper Clippings and web sites of subjects related to my topic of article.

As primary sources, I will try to use speech of important political leaders and statesmen, government

documents/statistics and interviews related and important people through questionnaire.

Key Words: Nation, Nation-building, Political Party, South Asia

- 27 -

South Asia and Nationalism: Challenges from We and They

Samya Sundar Mahato

Today world is faces common problems that is we and they. Such as by the late 1990, the United

Kingdom was becoming less united, with a new regime struggling to be born in Northern Ireland,

devolution well under way in Scotland and Wales, many Scots looking forward to eventual

independence, and the English increasingly defining themselves as English rather than British. By

the end of the 20th century America had become multiracial (roughly 69 percent white, 12 percent

Hispanic, 12 percent black, 4 percent Asian and Pacific Islander, 3 percent other), multiethnic (with

no majority ethnic group) , and 63 percent protestant, 23 percent Catholic, 8 percent other religions,

and 6 percent no religion. I try to find out on the one hand two major sovereign nations that claim

father of rule of law and father of democracy as well as unity of nation that are faces new challenges,

on the other hand south Asian countries that claims father of diversity and father of multicultural as

well as father of adoptability of brutish, nasty and coercive of colonialism that are faces new

challenges. Both are common in new challenges and solution is several but possibility better in South

Asian countries because South Asian Countries have accepted bad characters of modernity then will

have accepted better characters of democracy, national building, human rights security. South Asian

countries have already existed ethnicity, religion varieties from old civilian to modern no changes

physically but changes in psychologically.

My purposes are two objectives. First, problematic analyses the factor responsible for acceptance of

democratic values and national building in South Asian countries. Second, why they are abolish old

traditions of diversity of ethnicity, religion, and multicultural values and what are the main causes of

these abolitions. And finally I try to suggest for solution with the concept of Rawls’ distributive

justice, Sen’s Idea of Justice, and Gandhi’s unity of society on the one hand and Kymlica’s

multicultural diversity, Taylor’s concept of Communitarian society on the other hand.

Key Words: Nationalism, South Asia, Religion, Democracy

- 28 -

Challenges of development and nation-building in South Asia

Rukmini Bhattacharjee

South Asia is a region of multicultural diversities, unique political systems and mixed economies.

Much of these is inherited from the shared history that is embedded in the colonial rule which brought

with it exploitation, deprivation and subsequent underdevelopment and backwardness for the people.

Colonialism which is based on the justification of ‘White Man’s Burden’ in effect created burden for

the colonized. South Asian nations were decolonized in the post-World War II phase starting with

India in 1947. In the post-independence phase the primary goal for the nations was development, it

being a holistic idea encompasses diverse aspects-political, social, economic, cultural etc.

The social fabric of South Asia being multi-textured, heterogeneous and hence not a close-knit one.

Thereby opting for a uniform developmental model for it is utopian and in all possibility is likely to

fail. The quest for development in any society is rooted in the spirit of nationalism. The national

struggles in the South Asian nations necessitates democratic development which is basic to the

processes of nation-building and state-building. This is where the nations face the challenge, because

these societies are not only heterogeneous in composition but are neither purely traditional nor purely

modern. The overlapping of boundaries and multiplicities of identity poses the real threat to nation-

building in South Asian nations.

India as a symbolic representation of the complexities of South Asian nations exhibits interplay of

caste, religion, region, language, etc., which obstructs the process of nation-building and

subsequently retards development of the nation. Thus lack of development and challenges in the

process of nation-building shall continue to exist in a vicious cycle. These challenges can be

overcome only by breaking the unending loops that traps the developmental bases of the nation-

building process.

Key Words: Development, Nation-building, Identity, South Asia

- 29 -

Nation Building in South Asia through Challenges: India, Pakistan and Nepal:

An Analytical Overview

Tony Mathew

Nation building is a basic structure foundation of political science. Political science seeks these

phenomena through many challenges which are a major issue in the present world. Ancient time’s

onwards political thinkers and world leaders face this as a serious fact of matter. Most of the south

Asian leaders always shared a dream of nation building through sustainable process. Countries like

India, Pakistan and Nepal are suitable examples. These countries always struggle to make path to this

through ethnic crisis and ethnic cleansing. South Asian countries always have a history of adaptation

to alien values by the elite groups. They termed this adaptation as a term called modernisation. This

modernisation changes their traditional values in accurate interval of time without the awareness of

the society. These adaptations break the society into many compartments which forms an

unacceptable challenge for the people itself. The adaptation can be introduced as industrialisation,

religion, political violence, terrorism, human security etc. This adaptation fades the picture of nation

building. We analysis these factors affecting the countries like India, Pakistan and Nepal in nation

building process. These topics discuss the challenges of nation building in south Asian countries

looking through the countries like India, Pakistan and Nepal.

Key Words: Nation-building, South Asia, Moderisation, Industrialisation

- 30 -

Panel-II

(South Asian Security)

- 31 -

Climate Change: Globalization of Insecurity and Threats to Human Security

Amit Kumar Mandal

The impact of climate change and the consequences of changing the environment have been

increasingly linked with the idea of an unusual security. Ecological reflection as a threat to singular

security, national or world, has made another motivation in a security inquire about discourse. These

issues have expanded individuals' comprehension of climate change, struggle and defencelessness,

and have discovered a part of preservation and supportable advancement in advancing peace, strength

and security for the general population. Climate change is an unpredictable issue confronting

humanity today. The greater part of the multifaceted nature of this issue is because of its more

profound worldwide effect on numerous issues that influence the survival of life on Earth.

Understanding this complexity with the dimensions and consequences are even more important for

all stakeholders, especially our policy makers. There is a feeling of discernment about the real size

and impact of climate change. Although, it’s a well-known fact that the threats emerging from climate

change are extremely profound, requiring prompt decrease. There is now solid proof that climate

change is a reality. It is in this way important to make prompt and unequivocal move to address the

difficulties of climate change. Climate change is not an isolated issue. It has many aspects and

relationships, such as science and technology, economics and trade, diplomacy and politics, which is

not just another issue in the complex world of problems, but also the mother of all issues. However,

climate change differs from the problems mankind faces and forces us to think differently on many

levels. It is our obligation to think about the meaning of living as part of an environmentally-friendly

community. When confronted with the great variety of human beings, climate change offers a great

reminder of one thing we are together - the planet. All nations and all people have the same

atmosphere. And we have only one, winning the chaos of the weather by all parties on both sides and

together will be important to the welfare and prosperity of present and future generations.

- 32 -

Motion Pictures of Security: The Perceptional Responses in South Asia

Joyprokash Mondal

South Asia is the most remarkable part of third world, which has a colonial retrospect like total third

world. This region has to achieve their independence after Second World War by their National

movement against some at least western imperialist Nation. Politically the nations are known as each

one sovereign nation state with gaining independent but lack of experiences in long time spent with

foreign bondage, they can’t able to establish a strongest framework of administration. So various

obstacles must be alert to possibility about uncertain security in the region, obviously called South

block. The main problem which I have intended to deal with the nature and attitude of occurring

situation in security of south block. Apart from these, the paper will try to scrutinize the objectives

like:

a) To find out the situation of security in achieving freedom time

b) To analyse the present scenario of security

c) To seek the real problem in certain security in this time

d) To show the dimensions to solve the problem if it is possible and obviously

e) to find a way out to garner the dynamics of security politics.

Now the paper tries to reflect a layout of security to continue an established a ‘peaceful world’ from

South block as well as South Asia.

Keyword: Colonial Retrospect, Security, South block, Peaceful world

- 33 -

Human Security Challenges Confronting the South Asian Region

Assunta Mandonca

As South Asia emerges as an important actor in world affairs and is believed to be the world’s most

promising regions, nearly home to more than one billion people, the geopolitical environment in

South Asia continues to witness growing poverty, high illiteracy, technological backwardness,

territorial disputes, low human development indicators, increasing malnutrition , human trafficking

of woman and children , environmental mismanagement , resource depletion has surely taken a toll

on human development in the South Asian region.

Peace & integrity is often threatened by internal polarizations thus preventing regional unity. There

is a crisis in governance & human security threats are alarmingly increasing. Human Security

challenges continue to confront South Asia as a region, there also prevails a climate of deep mistrust

among the states, regional conflicts, growth of terrorism & extremism that has prevented the region

from realizing its potential for economic and social progress or else South Asia is at risk if

development needs, governance imperatives and human security initiatives are not met. As such the

region must address the most serious issues and challenges confronting human security and reinforce

success in all sphere as well as it needs to ensure intra generational & inter-generational equity in all

aspects. Minimizing these insecurities will in turn lead to increase in the level of human development

at the very grass root level. This would certainly enable South Asia to facilitate as an emerging global

power.

- 34 -

Security and Terrorism: Challenges from South Block

Bikash Naskar

Now-a-days, security is a very much challenging part to any Nations State. Without Military force

any country do not safe from fear in various unbelievable situation like infiltration, violence and

terrorist attack also. South Block is a region of Asia which part already faces many trouble from

ethnic violence, terrorism etc. So, security is a question to South Asia for peaceful life in mankind.

Nationalism, Ethnicity, Religion and Security are inter-related in South Asian context. My paper try

to present how terrorism and ethnic violence are inter-related with each other to the question of the

security in any nation state. And try to understand how much obstacles it to the progress of

Democracy in South Asian Country.

Now, This papers attentions are to the following objectives:

1. To find out why the problem of security of any state.

2. To find out the real problem of South Block for security.

3. To analysis the chemistry the relation among South-Asian states.

4. To seek and discusses a way out to solve the situations.

How South Block can appear to reach the round table meeting to make a mission of peace. Key

Words: Security, Nation State, Military, Infiltration, Terrorist Attack, South Block, Ethnic Violence,

Democracy.

- 35 -

Conflicts and Security in South Asia

Debtanu Majee

South Asia has turned out to be a major zone of conflicts. Nationalism, Religion and Ethnicity have

given rise to the conflicts in South Asia. The concept of security has changed today. The focus has

shifted to human security. Pakistan a failed state which is present in this region has been condemned

throughout the world for giving protection to terrorists. It has often sponsored terrorism in India.

India and Pakistan are two nuclear powers in the region. The competition between India and Pakistan

to develop nuclear arms has led serious concern for peace in the region. Ethnic conflict in Srilanka

has caused a civil war in the country. The presence of China in Srilanka has caused a security threat

to India. Bangladesh was liberated from Pakistan in 1971 by India. Bangladesh however has got

water disputes with India. Besides India has held Bangladesh responsible for illegal entry of migrants.

There have been conflicts between India and Nepal regarding building of dams over Koshi River and

Mahakali River. Nepal was also unhappy with the Friendship treaty signed between Nepal and India

as the terms of the treaty were not in Nepal’s advantage. Bhutan a peace loving country has looked

to human happiness index as an indicator of development. India and Bhutan has always maintained

a friendly relationship. The unstable political situation in Maldives was a matter of concern. The

Taliban dominated Afghanistan was a threat to peace and security in the region. However at present

the peace building process is going on in Afghanistan. The countries of this region consist of diverse

ethnic groups which have led to ethnic conflicts. The rise of Hindu and Muslim nationalism has also

generated tensions in the region. Conflicts have occurred regarding Indian Ocean. The Rohingya

crisis has created a major problem in the region in terms of security. Besides traditional security non-

traditional security issues like Global Warming, cyber terrorism are posing serious challenges to

world peace and the same challenges are being faced by South Asia. The absence of a regional

security alliance and the failure of SAARC to function effectively have made it difficult to tackle the

security issues. The countries in the region need more cooperation and communication in order to

develop a peaceful future.

- 36 -

Environmental Security in South Asia: A Conceptual Framework

Palash Das

In Realism, the meaning of security is closely linked to the military capability of a states. After the end of

cold war traditional notion of state centric security was insufficient to explain emerging threats, that time the

study of international security added a new dimension which is nontraditional threats to security. The new

paradigm of security includes poverty, environment, health and social instability as threat factors. The study

on environmental security has become very closely related over the years. When we discuss about

environmental security that is surely related to human being, human society and human behaviour.

Environmental factors are related to the intra and interstate conflict or violent around the world. That's why

the linkages between environmental change and security are complex in many ways. The environment as a

threat to individuals, national and international security has created a new agenda in the discourse of security

studies. In the South Asian context, environmental problems are not new but rather prominent issue.

Environmental issues like pollutions, deforestation, flood, acid rain etc. is not fixed in any state or region, it’s

a "trans-boundary" problem. Industrial pollution in one country may affect the other neighbuor countries.

Excessive deforestation of any country could led to a serious problem in downstream countries. The effects of

environmental degradation from one to another neighbour countries causes of inter-state conflicts. In South

Asian context which is very dominating in present scenario. In this paper also trying to examine the concept

of Environmental Security and the effects of environmental changes poses risks to South Asian countries.

- 37 -

Issues and Challenges of Water Security of South Asia in the Twenty First Century

Parikshit Thakur

Nearly 44% of the world’s population i.e. 1.4 billion poorest people (World Bank , Chen and

Ravallion, 2008) which contained largest number of the world’s hungry nearly 350 million were

inhabitants of South Asia. The food and financial crisis of 2007 and 2008 and internal crisis of

Rohngya have added more numbers in that list. The high level of density of population resulted in

unprecedented stress on natural resources and ecosystem specially on water. Moreover, the region is

also have frequent tendency to earthquake and flooding .The severe flood of 2007 and 2010 affected

13 million people in Bangladesh and 20 million people in Pakistan respectively. India has faced

similar fate almost every year in its northern and north eastern regions. The degree of human suffering

caused by mismanagement of water is immeasurable .As a result water security is a central concern

for South Asia. Because dispute over water is central to political economy of development of South

Asia. The objective of this paper is to look at the way that the allocation of water is mediated by

different kind of state society relation with special reference to dispute between India Pakistan and

Bangladesh .As the issue of water security is very much associated with building of canals dams and

ground water therefore the paper also try to address the issue of sustainability and water governance

with reference to future challenge over access to fresh water in the South Asian Region.

- 38 -

Regional Security Cooperation in South Asia: A Recent Development

Afroz Ahmad

Today South Asia generally evokes the image of a region that is home of terrorism. The eight

countries of South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri

Lanka) has been addressing the terrorism phenomenon is a very complex and challenging nature. The

formation of effective regionalism in South Asia requires confidence building regional security

cooperation at multiple levels of relations in the South Asian region. It is marred by comprehensive

and multifaceted security challenges, transnational security agendas have attracted a great deal of

scholarly attention in the region to grapple with security issues that cannot be resolved by the

traditional approaches. This has been more evident the 9/11 terrorist attack in US and growing

terrorist incident in the South Asian region, there has been a realisation for considerableregional

security cooperation between South Asian Countries. This paper discusses Change and continuity the

regional security cooperation in South Asia, then what are the main reasons for the development of

security cooperation in South Asia? And why did not succeed security cooperation in South Asia.

- 39 -

Food Security remains the Core Struggle to Indian Farmers- Look at WTO

Conference in Buenos Aires

Sailen Das

Based on filed study on participating Indian Farmers of various Farmers Associations in anti-WTO

protest movement, the basic assumption of the study is that food security remains at the core of the

Struggle to Indian Farmers’, reflecting on the last ministerial meeting at Buenos Airse. Farmers’

Associations become a crucial part of these movements through a series of agitations in different

parts of India--- in Karnataka Rajya Raitha sangha (KRRS) from Karnataka, Bharat Kishan Union

from Tamil Nadu, South Indian coordination committee of farmers’ movement (SICCFM) across

South Indian state, Kerala coconut farmers Association from Kerala etc. During the negotiations for

WTO Agreement on Agriculture in 2001, they raised concerns over food security and flexibility that

developing nations must have when it comes to providing subsidies to key farm inputs. Seventeen

years have passed since then and countries like India are still waiting for a permanent solution on

food security to arrive at the WTO. The paper tried to identify the main causes of the widespread of

food insecurity that prevails in India and it analyzed how to linked food insecurity issue with pubic

stockholding in the WTO’s Agreement of Agriculture. Finally, the article seeks to find out the

outcome of last ministerial meetings in the context of developing countries as well as India’s food

security concerns.

KEY WORDS: Food security, Farmers, WTO, MSP, Public Stock holding, Subsidy.

- 40 -

Role of Non-Governmental Militant Groups: Cross Border Linkages and

Implications of India and Sri Lanka

Siddhartha Sankar Manna

This paper seeks to understand the conflict of Non-Governmental Militant Groups which had an

implication and linkage of cross border relations basically between India and Sri Lanka. It critically

examines the relation between Non-Governmental Militancy and state relation specially LTTE as

Non-Governmental Militant Group and India as well as Indo-Sri Lankan relations. In South Asia,

the social, political and economic process within the countries has been important issues for bilateral

as well as regional level relations. Therefore, the social, political and economic problems within the

countries of Asia have been bound to have a spillover effect in the region. It has been an effect on

the India due to the nature of Indo centrism of the region which generates the intra-regional

interaction. In the context of geographical proximity and ethnic intimacy or similarity of culture the

ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka had serious implications for India due to the existence of Tamil

brotherhood. As from the ancient period India especially South India has been maintaining its close

relations with Sri Lanka in the sphere of social, cultural, religion, artistic, language and political, the

crisis of any sphere could affect the India. India’s perception of threat to its security in the Indian

Ocean region is largely governed by political and military developments in Sri Lanka.

Keywords: Non-Governmental Militant Group, Cross-border Linkages and Its implication in

bilateral relations.

- 41 -

Third World Countries: Why Challenges in Security

Sudipta Mondal

According to first world third world is the southern part of geographical globe. Which states have

expired their past life in colonial bondage. Now this region is free with freedom by their national

movement against foreign system. But South Asia in third world is really a safe zone? If it is not now

this paper always try to seek what is the real problem in security to solve the situation. Now this

paper to discuss the security methods present following objectives.

1> Want to analysis the various situation in presenscenery.

2> Discuss a format of security comparatively.

3>Draw a attention of a layout to solve the situation if it is possible.

Key words: National Movement, Colonial bondage, Freedom, Security Methods, Third World

- 42 -

Maldives in India’s Security Calculus: Strategic and Geopolitical

Perspectives

Subhajit Ghosh

In a broad analysis of international relations, some issues are flashing in recent times. Security is one

of them. Especially strategic security has an importance in the discussion regarding geopolitical

perspective. This paper will try to highlight India’s maritime security scenario in recent times, where

the geographical location of Maldives is one of the major focal points within the broader aspect of

South Asia. In comparison with India, Maldives is not in a position to challenge or make security

threats towards India. Internal political instability, economic backwardness are all found in this

country. But India is worried about Maldives from a strategic point of view. Contemporary history

shows good bilateral relations as well as regional engagement of both the countries sharing the

common platform of SAARC. Beside all these positive aspects there are some factors responsible for

rethinking about Maldives. Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean is one of the main reasons

for it. On the contrary, Maldives needs help from the big powers among her neighbours. From a

nationalistic point of view the country has been seeking all types of security providers. In spite of her

political crisis the basic policy is to make balances between big powers.

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Problems of Terrorism in South Asian Region

Balwinder Singh

Terrorism has emerged as a giant problem in the South Asian region especially in the 21st century.

The 9/11 attack on the US has enhanced the Islamic fundamentalism in the South Asian region. The

terror has negatively affected all the South Asian Countries. The first sign of terror showed in the

Indian state of Punjab as Khalistan Liberation Movement in the early 1980s. Since the year 1989,

Pakistan has been spreading terror in India. At present, India is suffered from Islamic terror, which

is sponsoring from by India’s immediate neighbourhood. It shall not be wrong if we called Pakistan

the ‘Mother of Terrorism’ in South Asia. At present Pakistan is the ‘Headquarter’ of every type of

terror. Pakistan related terror outfits have been spread all across the world. Afghanistan has emerged

as a 'Home-town' of Taliban. Taliban is linked with Al-Qaeda. The Sri-Lanka based LTTE had spread

the voice of terror in the small Island country. The Sri-Lankan government had crushed-down the

LTTE movement in 2009. Bangladesh and Maldives are also suffered from Islamic terror. This study

tried to explore the reasons for and development of the terror problem in South Asia.

- 44 -

Foreign Relations of India and Afghanistan during 2001-2016

Gulab Mir Rahmany

In this research efforts have been made explicit the achievement and foreign relationship of India

and Afghanistan on base of Political and dimension Development. The incident of 11 September

opened new pages on the internal and external Afghan political system, the regional cooperation

agencies of the region, and Afghanistan entered a new political literature. The expansion and

prosperity of various countries in Afghanistan, especially India, was among the most promising for

Afghanistan's foreign policy. Diplomatic relations in various fields such as expansion, economic

growth, cultural, technical, capacity building, military and other needs of Afghanistan were at the

forefront of foreign policy in India. India is one of the countries that, after the September 11, 2001,

and Taliban leadership, managed to gain more opportunities for the people of Afghanistan. His non-

hostile contributions to the countries of the Middle East and the Middle East have created a special

place for the Afghan people. As Afghanistan is in the context of the geographic position of the

Atrium, it is in contact with Central Asian countries. The attention of different countries and the

world's economic multinationals has become self-evident and attracted by the wisdom of each

country in the world. However, India, after its independence in 1947, started its friendly relations

with Afghanistan two years later, up to now, the enthusiastic and dedicated have made their donations

to Afghanistan. The Afghan people in this regard have benefited from the Indian government's many

achievements, such as: the construction of the Salma Dam in Herat, construction of Delaram Road,

more than 700 scholarships for Afghan students human resources development, the repair Afghan

foreign minister complex, establishment of Afghanistan Parliament house. Opening the Port of

Chabahar in Afghanistan' as commercial and financial markets, Strengthening the equipment of

Afghan military forces and India's efforts to get Afghanistan's membership in regional cooperation

agencies such as SAARC, BRICS, Asia heart "Istanbul Process" and others points are discussed in

this article. Keyword: Indian and Afghanistan cooperation, Afghanistan's Foreign Policy towards

India, India and Afghanistan Friendship, Role of regional cooperation and 2001 and 2016.

- 45 -

Indo-Bangladesh Relations: Major Issues and Challenges

Nazmul Hussain Laskar

India played a vital role in Bangladesh freedom struggle. Liberation of Bangladesh had been possible

because of India’s political, economic, and military support. India was one of the major sources of

economic and financial assistance to Bangladesh. In fact, Seikh Mujibur Rahman assured India that

Bangladesh’s relationship with India would be eternal. The ideological proximity between Mujibur’s

Awami League and the Indian National Congress had left a lasting impact on the foreign policies of

India and Bangladesh. This bilateral relationship was strengthened through the Treaty of Friendship,

Peace and Cooperation signed between India and Bangladesh in 1992. But the Indo-Bangladesh

relations soon turned bitter as Bangladesh approached towards authoritarianism. The issue of water

sharing, trade imbalance between the two countries, refugee influx to India, illegal immigration from

Bangladesh to India and the growing illegal border trade between the two countries are the major

bones of contention between India and Bangladesh. In fact, it is essential for Bangladesh to neutralize

the adverse relations with India to the extent possible by drawing on schemes and policies that may

contain India. In this paper, a modest attempt is made to understand the major issues and challenges

that mar the relations between the two countries. The study is based mainly on secondary statistical

information collected from various published and unpublished sources.

Keywords: Relations, Border, Trade, Refugee, Infiltration, Cooperation.

- 46 -

Panel-III

(Ethnicity, Religion and Politics in South Asia)

- 47 -

SAARC, the Miniature of South Asian Reality: Possibility and Dilemma

Abhishek Mitra

A regional organization is a voluntary association of sovereign states having common interests in

area. The development or success of any regional organizations depends on the tolerance and

reciprocity of the members. Like EU, ASEAN, OAU and others SAARC is also a regional

organization, But in the matter of success of SAARC, it has some serious questions. From the First

Summit (1985,Dhaka,Bangladesh) to Nineteenth summit(2016, Islamabad, Pakistan) SAARC has

been suffering from Various Problems, For Example the last SAARC summit did not successful due

to non-presence of India including Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives, for

the reasons of Uri attack and Pakistan postponed the SAARC summit. Actually, no organizations

above its environment, if the environment is not suitable for cooperation then it will very difficult to

make a unity. It is true that South Asia is among the fastest growing economic regions in the world,

although the region also has forty percent of the world’s poor. Basically it is a region of diversities,

diversities between language, ethnicity, Religion and Culture. Now a day’s Terrorism and cross

border terrorism has the biggest challenge of SAARC, because in an atmosphere of terror there are

no fruitful negotiations. Beside all the limitations, SAARC has manage to create some forums and

institutions over the last few years, Exchanges in the areas of civil society and science become one

of the pillars of South Asian integration process. It is true that SAARC has a hazy history, but SAARC

is not a dead organization as far as a region concern South Asia is world’s most potential region.

- 48 -

Decoding the ‘Adivasi’ in the context of Nation-Building in India

Amitayu Chakravarty

The nation-state of India has been wrought with several problems of nation-building. Often those

problems are concerned with the mutually conflictual discourses of nationalism and ethnicity. This

paper is an attempt to explore the problem of nation-building in India that centres on the ‘adivasi’

question. The colonial, the middle-class anticolonial nationalist and the hegemonic post-colonial

discourses on the adivasis marginalize the heterogeneous population: they are always victims of an

essentialist, reductivist historiography. At the same time, their habitat and livelihood are exacerbated

to a great extent because of the pro-modernity measures taken by the state in both the pre-

independence and post-independence periods. Together, these discursive and material onslaughts

upon the adivasis, jeopardize the disenfranchised people. By highlighting the material and discursive

jeopardy of the adivasis, this paper offers an insight into the problem of nation-building in India and

presents a nuanced understanding of the apparent dichotomy between ethnicity and nationalism that

supposedly plagues the dominant nation-building project in the country.

- 49 -

Social Exclusion and Ethnic Problem in South Asia: Issues and Concerns

Shatarupa Pal

Social exclusion and inequalities in South Asia originates in the ethnic problem. Ethnic problem is

an obstacle to nation-building process. The nature of ethnic problems are different from each other

in South Asia. The region of South Asia which includes Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan in

presently faced with ethnic problem. In Sri Lanka, Tamil problem, Hindu-Muslim and Hindu-Sikh

problem apart from the other ethnic problem in India. Chakma problem persists in Bangladesh,

Mujahirs riots presents in Pakistan ----- these ethnic conflict have gained attentions in social

scientists, political scientists and policy makers South Asia. With the rapid communication and

uneven development, there is no country in South Asia can escape the fate of being a multi-religious,

multi-ethnic society. In such circumstances, the force of development and change generate pressure

leading to ethnic conflict. The nature of ethnic problems are different from each other in South Asia

such as 1) Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka , ethno –majoritarian states aligned themselves to a

cultural or religious majority, resulting in the exclusion of minorities 2) In Pakistan, deep-rooted

ethnic problem within the community despite the fact that Islam led state. 3) The breakdown of the

ethno-