Department of Political Science, University of North Bengal

EDITORIAL

We are happy to bring out this thirteenth volume of the Departmental journal, Journal of Political Studies. We apologise for the delay in bringing out this volume but hope to have wider readership nevertheless. The diversity of the themes is a distinctive aspect of this volume, so is the coming together of scholars and researchers.

We are not satisfied with the copy editing however as the publication could not be delayed any further.

Hope this issue will reflect the current state of interdisciplinary research.

Dr. Soumitra De
Editor

ARTICLES

BOOK REVIEW

EDITORIAL

Welcome to the combined issue of our Journal-of Political Studies, March-October, 2016. We are sorry to be behind the schedule and hence this combined publication of March and October issues. Nothing in defense of the delay except that we have been waiting for contributions that might interest our readers and we chose not to be timely with hackneyed themes. We have in this issue ten research papers and two book reviews. They range from field based accounts to analytical studies, from studies . on political parties through cultural studies to citizenship issues. We sincerely hope there is something for everyone interested in politics. With fraternal regards.

Dr. Soumitra De
Editor

ARTICLES

EDITORIAL

The present issue of the Journal of Political Studies contains eleven articles in addition to one review article and two book reviews. The articles can be grouped in three baskets; we have two articles on political thinkers, five on different general aspects of India’s politics and four on some aspects of regional politics. Themewise the authors have approached issues of contemporary relevance and we sincerely hope that our readers will enjoy reading them. With Regards,

Dr. M. Yasin
Editor

ARTICLES

BOOK REVIEW

EDITORIAL

This time unfortunately the publication of this volume of the journal has been delayed because of a number of reasons beyond our control. We must therefore start with a word of apology to our valued contributors and readers who are patiently waiting for the volume. The brighter side is that majority of contributors to this volume belongs to the generation of young scholars and teachers from different regions of the country; and this gives the journal a national orientation. The effort these young scholars have made, indeed, is commendable. About this issue, the first thing that needs mention is that the present volume is like a salad bowl which contains altogether ten articles on diverse themes and regions/ countries, ranging from consequences of globalization to populist politics in West Bengal, Khap Panchayats, tensions in Assam etc. The volume also includes two articles which focus on developments in neighbouring Pakistan and Nigeria. The article by Sarabjit Kaur explores the issue of social foundations of fundamentalist political & military mobilization in Nigeria. The article though focuses on the Boko Haram in Nigeria may be of much relevance to recent developments in other parts Afro – Asia. The domination of military and bureaucracy over representatives of civil society is the concern of M.V. Georgekutty’s contribution on Pakistan. This volume includes two articles on India’s North- eastern region, of which Rubul Patgiri approaches ethnic assertion in Assam from the perspective of ethnicity as a reaction to exclusionary nation – building project in India. The other contribution on North – east by Tapan Das, interestingly re- examines the context of introduction of inner- line permit system there and its present utility. This article legitimately raises a few questions about inner-line system. Esita Sur’s article on muslim question in neo- liberal India delves with the issues emerging out of exchanges between economic reforms and Community consciousness. Another contribution that focuses on consequences of neo- liberal economic reforms in the effort by Paromita Chakrabarty who addresses the politically sensitive issue of foreign direct investment in retail trade and public response in host country. N. Sukumar and Kamalakanta Roul in their article on Khap Panchayats address the on- going conflict between liberal – democratic values and practices of a traditional society in the political context of vote bank. Sumit Howaldar’s attempt at understanding style of functioning of Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal is an effort to conceptualize the nature of populist politics. The last article of this volume by Tirthankar Chakraborty, explores the relationship between human rights and development discourse. In addition, the volume also includes two interesting book reviews by Dhritiman Chakraborty and Sana Salim. I take this opportunity to thank all contributors of this volume for their effort and patience. I also thank my colleagues of the Department and the member of University Press without whom it would have been more difficult to publish this volume. I sincerely hope that our readers will find this volume of the journal worth waiting.

Thank you.

Dr. Dyutish Chakrabarti
Editor

ARTICLES

BOOK REVIEW

EDITORIAL

As the editor of the ‘Journal of POLITICAL STUDIES’ it is a matter of great pleasure to me to place before the readers the eighth issue of the journal which is now published bi-annually from the financial year 2013-2014 by the Department of Political Science, University of North Bengal. Contribution for the volumes was invited through advertisements in the ‘Economic and Political Weekly’ and the ‘Mainstream’. All together 33 articles were received in response to the advertisements out of which 7 articles were selected for publication in the March 2013 issue of the Journal and 7 for the October 2013 issue.

This issue contains a commentary, review essay and 5 research articles. The articles in the volume are the most interesting one and form the bulk of the reading. Most of the articles come from young Indian scholars. In future I am sure that the scholars will contribute more to the journal. The articles are on diverse political issues. Mukunds Giri in his article entitled ‘Maoists of Nepal: Their use of Nationalism’ analyses how the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) used nationalism to mobilise the masses. Reyaz Ahmad Ganaie in an interesting article ‘Peace and Reconciliation in Afghanistan: The Way Forward’ looks at the possibility of lasting peace in the country after the withdrawal of foreign forces. Sarmistha Pattanaik & Amrita Sen’s commentary on ‘Current Rehabilitation Status over the Issues of Displacement at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai: Some Observations’ is on the basis of a survey conducted during March-May 2013 in Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Mumbai is a comment on a official report published, which intends to state that the proposed stages of rehabilitation are truly derisory and insufficient.

In the article ’The Escalating Chinese Dominance in Nepal: A By product of India’s Diplomatic Failure? Saurav Bhaumik makes a critical analysis of India’s foreign policy in Nepal. The paper presents a comprehensive forecast of the impending strategic threats which India might confront from China in the long-run. Trijita Gonsalves and Sushmita Gonsalves’ article ‘Behind Closed Doors: Is The ‘Personal’ Political?’ argues that the Indian State has dismally failed to protect women - female foeticide and marital rape. They constitute two of the most intimate concerns of a married woman’s life, through which a husband assumes power over the most private part of her life – her body and it becomes a site of violence. They conclude by arguing that laws in themselves are not enough and women must fight their own battle.

Tabesum Begam & Tirthankar Chakraborty in their joint article ‘The Role of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in Reconstruction and Inclusion of National Education in India’ argue that education is a potent force of systematized change. To them education actually in turn, transforms humans into human resource. In the present paper he provides an analytical overview of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s role in reconstruction and inclusion of national education in India, in a way where every citizen of the country ‘finding their way of life’. In a review essay entitled ‘Changing Scenario of Common Property Resources and the Role of Community in the Management of Common Property Resource’ Rajni Bala presents an overview of the present condition of common property resources in India and the role of the community in the management of these resources.

I am sure that given the quality of the articles the volume will provide some interesting and thoughtful reading.

Dr. Arun K. Jana
Editor

ARTICLES

NOTES AND COMMENTS

BOOK REVIEW

EDITORIAL

As the editor of the ‘Journal of POLITICAL STUDIES’ it is a matter of great pleasure to me to place before the readers the seventh issue of the journal which is published annually by the Department of Political Science, University of North Bengal. Contribution for the volume was invited through advertisements in the ‘Economic and Political Weekly’ and the ‘Mainstream’. All together 33 articles were received in response to the advertisements out of which 7 articles were selected for publication in the current (March 2013) issue of the Journal and 6 for the October 2013 issue. It has been resolved by the Department Committee to make the journal a biannual one, from the financial year 2013-2014. Hence the next issue Volume 7 that will be published shortly will be the October 2013 issue.

This issue contains a commentary and 6 research articles. There are no book reviews in the issue. The articles in the volume are the most interesting one and form the bulk of the reading. The articles are on diverse issues like Ethno-Regional Movements at the Sub-State Level, Caste Marginalization and Resistance, the socio economic profile of a depressed Community in Darjeeling Hills, the emerging leadership of Rural Women In new Panchayats, Liberal State and Multiculturalism, Development, Induced Displacement and rehabilitation etc. Most of the articles come from young Indian scholars. It is also a pleasure to state that out of the seven articles that are being published in the issue four belong to research scholars of the Department. In future I am sure that the scholars will contribute more. I am sure that given the quality of the articles the volume will provide some interesting and thoughtful reading.

Dr. Arun K. Jana
Editor

ARTICLES

EDITORIAL

It is a great pleasure for me as the Head of the Department of Political Science and also as the editor of the volume to place before the readers the fifth issue of the ‘Journal of Political Studies’ which is published annually by the Department of Political Science, University of North Bengal. This volume like that of the previous issues contains commentaries on some critical issues, research articles and book reviews. The articles in the volume are the most interesting one and form the bulk of the reading. The articles are on diverse issues on contemporary Indian and International politics ranging from politics of personal laws in India, India’s Look East Policy, Kashmir issue, Korea’s emergence as a power, the condition of Lepchas in Darjeeling and the demand for Separate Development Board etc. Most of the articles come from young Indian scholars who are energetic and enthusiastic, and the publication of their articles in the volume will contribute significantly to the building up of their academic moral. In future I am sure that the scholars will contribute more to the discipline by way of research publications. The books reviewed are books published very recently and not reviewed elsewhere by the author. I am sure that given the quality of the articles the volume will provide some interesting and thoughtful reading.

Dr. Arnn K. Jana
Editor

ARTICLES

BOOK REVIEW