The Emergence of Meetei Nationalism

This book traces the emergence of Meetei nationalism through a scientific and systematic study of two movements among the Meeteis. The study makes an attempt to : grasp the feeling of discontent and dissatisfaction among the Meeteis; analyze why after 56 years of Manipur's merger into Indian Union, some sections of people are still demanding to be separated from mainland India; examine the ongoing Meetei movement in the light of the past movement; emphasize that the seeds of "secessionism" now in vogue in the state were sown in the pre-merger days; and contend that Meetei movement can not be and should not be reduced to a mono-causal explanation. Manipur is burning In fact this "little paradise on earth" has been burning since the late seventies. Nobody bothers. This book explains, in no uncertain terms, not only what is happening in Manipur but, more importantly, why it is happening.

Rajendra Kshetri (b.1959 in Imphal), did his Masters degrees in Sociology from Bombay University in 1982. He was a Doctoral Fellow of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi at the Centre for Social Studies, Surat, during his doctoral days (1984-87). He joined Manipur University in 1989 as a Research Associate at the Centre for Tribal Studies. He joined Nagaland University in 1997 as a Visiting Fellow at the Department of Sociology. He was the Head of Sociology Department, Nagaland University, Lumami, for three years (2001-2004). Now serving as Reader in the same Department, he is actively engaged in research and teaching activities. He was Expert Consultant to the Ministry of Municipal Administration, Housing and Urban Development (MAHUD), Government of Manipur, for preparation of a strategy report on Imphal City (2000). He has to his credit several occasional papers, completed projects including the recently submitted Maram Primitive Tribe project, sponsored by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govermment of India, New-Delhi (2002) and research articles published in reputed national journals. He was also a founding member of Nagaland State Human Rights Committee.