University Library, University of North Bengal

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

This time unfortunately the publication of this volume of the journal has been delayed because of a number of reasons beyond our control. We must therefore start with a word of apology to our valued contributors and readers who are patiently waiting for the volume. The brighter side is that majority of contributors to this volume belongs to the generation of young scholars and teachers from different regions of the country; and this gives the journal a national orientation. The effort these young scholars have made, indeed, is commendable. About this issue, the first thing that needs mention is that the present volume is like a salad bowl which contains altogether ten articles on diverse themes and regions/ countries, ranging from consequences of globalization to populist politics in West Bengal, Khap Panchayats, tensions in Assam etc. The volume also includes two articles which focus on developments in neighbouring Pakistan and Nigeria. The article by Sarabjit Kaur explores the issue of social foundations of fundamentalist political & military mobilization in Nigeria. The article though focuses on the Boko Haram in Nigeria may be of much relevance to recent developments in other parts Afro – Asia. The domination of military and bureaucracy over representatives of civil society is the concern of M.V. Georgekutty’s contribution on Pakistan. This volume includes two articles on India’s North- eastern region, of which Rubul Patgiri approaches ethnic assertion in Assam from the perspective of ethnicity as a reaction to exclusionary nation – building project in India. The other contribution on North – east by Tapan Das, interestingly re- examines the context of introduction of inner- line permit system there and its present utility. This article legitimately raises a few questions about inner-line system. Esita Sur’s article on muslim question in neo- liberal India delves with the issues emerging out of exchanges between economic reforms and Community consciousness. Another contribution that focuses on consequences of neo- liberal economic reforms in the effort by Paromita Chakrabarty who addresses the politically sensitive issue of foreign direct investment in retail trade and public response in host country. N. Sukumar and Kamalakanta Roul in their article on Khap Panchayats address the on- going conflict between liberal – democratic values and practices of a traditional society in the political context of vote bank. Sumit Howaldar’s attempt at understanding style of functioning of Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal is an effort to conceptualize the nature of populist politics. The last article of this volume by Tirthankar Chakraborty, explores the relationship between human rights and development discourse. In addition, the volume also includes two interesting book reviews by Dhritiman Chakraborty and Sana Salim. I take this opportunity to thank all contributors of this volume for their effort and patience. I also thank my colleagues of the Department and the member of University Press without whom it would have been more difficult to publish this volume. I sincerely hope that our readers will find this volume of the journal worth waiting.

Dyutish Chakrabarti
Editor