Nationalism and Feminization of Land: Assam and the Politics of Motherhood

Abstract

In the quest for nationhood, nationalists often weave together language, religion, and a shared territory to forge a united identity among people within a defined region. Within this framework, the terrtorialization of memories and the cultivation of collective attachment have become increasingly significant in nationalist discourse. In Assam, the land is frequently personified as a mother, referred to as “Asomi Aai” (Mother Assam), and the slogan “Joi Aai Asom” (Glory to Mother Assam) has often been used by nationalist and student organizations during times of crisis, particularly observed during the movements of 1960, 1972, and the Assam Movement. However, this led to a challenge for Assam’s multifaceted identity landscape as Assamese nationalist organizations often promoted a chauvinistic attitude which alienating non-Assamese/tribal people. In this backdrop, article raises the question: Has the appeal to the common people under the banner of “Joi Aai Asom” been successful in protecting the demands of Assam, or has it led to fragmentation within the very fabric of their aspirations? The article also investigates whether the Hindutva has appropriated the concept of “Joi Aai Asom” and instrumentalized gender, particularly in the name of women’s welfare, within broader nationalist discourses.