In Manipur, A Case For Asymmetric Federalism

Context: Institutionally accommodating tribal and cultural distinctiveness as an enduring good will promote the State and national integrity.

Asymmetric federalism in India

• The idea: A normative idea and an institutional arrangement which supports the recognition and provision of an expansive ‘self-rule’ for territorially concentrated minority groups.
• Constitutional status:
  • Article 370 (Till 2019), giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Article 371 which, among others, gives expansive constitutional powers to Nagas over land and resources (Article 371A), and to Manipur’s Hill Areas Committee (Article 371C) over tribal identity, culture, development and local administration.

Arguments against asymmetric federalism

• Fosters centrifugal tendencies: Distinctive constitutional status to territorially concentrated minorities foster centrifugal tendencies which over time inhibit national/State integration, development, and peace.
  • This view is based on majoritarian idea of a monolith, homogenous nation.
• Marginalisation: Lead to fiscal and social marginalisation of minorities. Eg. Recent revelation by a tribal MLA in Manipur Assembly that the hill areas attracted barely Rs.419 crore (1.91%) out of the Rs.21,900 crore budgetary expenditure of Manipur from 2017-18 to 2020-21.
• Historical experiences: Unsuccessful experience of east European communist states to ‘hold together’ in the 1990s spawned deep suspicion about asymmetric federalism.
• Recent developments threatening asymmetric federalism:
  • Dissolution of Article 370 in 2019 which gave Jammu and Kashmir special constitutional status.
  • Intermittent attempts to dilute and dissolve Article 371 like attempts by Manipur’s government to
    • Stall the introduction and passage of the Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council (Amendment) Bill, 2021.
    • Induct nine Assembly members from the valley areas into the Hill Areas Committee.

Arguments in support of asymmetric federalism

• Essential element in Indian context: To accommodate the distinctive identity, culture and way of life of tribal groups in the Northeast by envisioning ‘self-rule’.
• Integrationist approach of the Constitution: Indian Constitution adopted integrationist approach over homogenization, by providing special status to Jammu and Kashmir (Till 2019) and northeast states.

Conclusion: Recognising and institutionally accommodating tribal/cultural distinctiveness not just as a matter of political convenience, but as a valuable and enduring good will be key to promote the State/national integrity, stability and peace in the long run.