Emerging identity consciousness among the Rajbanshis of eastern Nepal: a few observations

Identity consciousness among the Rajbanshis of eastern Nepal is a recent phenomenon. However, the factors attributing towards the emergence of identity consciousness among the community are not new and were prevalent in the society of Nepal. Economic deprivation, social inequality, political injustice, traditional caste distance and hierarchy maintained by the larger sections of the upper caste Hindus and so on are some of the notable factors which led to the emergence of identity consciousness among the community. Trans-border activity along with the Indian border-line is another factor that has been contributing towards the identity assertion. The emergence of identity movements in India particularly in Assam and West Bengal by the Rajbanshis of the two neighbouring states and the growing relations among the community across the borderline paves the way for exchange of information, views and motivation which ignite the Rajbanshis of Nepal to assert their identity. Besides, the Maoist movement in Nepal has played a crucial role in mobilizing the community. Considering all the factors, the paper is an attempt to study the growing sense of identity consciousness among the Rajbanshis of eastern Nepal.