Bodoland Launches Land Settlement Drive for Indigenes: A Step Towards Social Justice

Bodoland Launches Land Settlement Drive for Indigenes: A Step Towards Social Justice

Why in the News?

In a significant move that reflects the complexities of Indian politics and the ongoing push for social justice, the BJP-led Assam government has launched Mission Bwiswmuthi 2.0 to provide land rights to 47,000 landless indigenous families in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). This initiative, coming ahead of the upcoming Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections, represents a major governance and social reform effort aimed at addressing caste inequalities within the Indian caste system and promoting inclusive development. The move is particularly significant in the context of caste in Indian society, where land ownership has long been a marker of social status and economic power, as evidenced by the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC). This initiative also aims to bridge the digital divide impact often associated with land ownership disparities.

Target Beneficiaries and Implementation Mechanism

• Individual beneficiaries include:

○ Landless indigenous families

○ Special cultivators

○ Members of self-help groups, cooperative societies, and NGOs

• The focus is on converting various categories of occupied public lands into legally recognised holdings.
• The move aims to enhance social dignity, economic stability, and legal security for local residents, including Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), addressing the complex interplay of Hindu caste identities in the region. This initiative could potentially impact the emerging middle class in the area and various ethnoreligious groups.
• As part of the implementation process, the government will utilize OBC data and other demographic information from the 2011 census. This approach incorporates elements of caste-based enumeration and caste data collection, reflecting a growing trend in Indian governance to address caste-based disparities. The census definition and enumeration date are crucial for accurate data collection, including language data in census which provides insights into the region’s linguistic diversity. The methodology draws inspiration from the census in England, adapting best practices to the Indian context.

Political Context and Significance

• The BTC has 46 seats, including six nominated ones; elections are expected by October 2025.
• The initiative is viewed as a major electoral reform measure by BTC Chief Pramod Boro and the BJP government in Assam, potentially influencing state representation and the allocation of Lok Sabha seats in the future. This could lead to delimitation processes, affecting political boundaries and representation.
• It signals a shift toward inclusive governance and asserts the link between land ownership and human dignity, addressing long-standing reservation demands from various communities, including lower OBCs. This approach considers the list of castes in India to ensure comprehensive coverage, while also being mindful of potential anti-Muslim prejudice in policy implementation.
• The program is expected to have significant policy implications for the region, potentially influencing electoral politics and social dynamics in Bodoland and beyond. This initiative may lead to increased political mobilization among previously marginalized groups, reminiscent of the Mandal upsurge in the 1990s.
• This land rights initiative is part of a broader set of welfare programmes implemented by the BJP government in Assam, aimed at addressing historical injustices and promoting equitable development. It stands in contrast to approaches taken by the Congress party in previous administrations and may impact the north-south divide in development patterns. The initiative also reflects elements of Hindutva ideology in its approach to social reform.

Mission Bwiswmuthi 2.0: Objective and Scope:

• Launched by the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Mission Bwiswmuthi 2.0 aims to secure land rights for 47,000 indigenous landless families.
• The initiative addresses the long-pending demand for land ownership among marginalised communities in Assam’s BTR, reflecting the complex social reality of the region.
• Land rights will be granted to all bona fide citizens of BTR, regardless of caste, community, or socio-economic background, including both upper castes and disadvantaged groups.
• The scheme covers government land, professional grazing reserves, village grazing reserves, and land held by special cultivators.
• This initiative is an example of evidence-based policymaking, taking into account local needs and demographic shifts in the region. It draws on insights from caste sociology to understand the social implications of land ownership, with considerations dating back to the 1931 census, which was the last to collect comprehensive caste data.

By addressing land ownership issues, the Bodoland land settlement drive aims to tackle caste inequalities and promote social equity. The initiative recognizes the importance of land rights in shaping social and economic outcomes, as highlighted in the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC). As this program unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor its impact on local communities, economic development, and the broader landscape of Indian politics in the northeast region, especially in the context of the ongoing economic slowdown.

The success of this program could potentially influence similar initiatives across India, reshaping the relationship between land ownership, caste, and social mobility. Future data collection, such as the Census 2026-27, will be vital in assessing the long-term impact of this initiative. The reference date for such censuses will be crucial in capturing the changes brought about by this land settlement drive. As we look ahead, questions like “When is the census?” become increasingly relevant for policymakers and citizens alike, as they anticipate the next comprehensive population count that will shed light on the evolving socio-economic landscape of the region. The government is also focusing on improving census participation to ensure accurate data collection, which is essential for the success of such targeted welfare programs.