Race, Space and City: Being Gorkhali in a Mizo Society

Abstract

Gorkhalis are a part of Mizoram ever since the colonial days of the British Raj. They have adopted the Mizo language and traditions and are very accustomed to the land, terrain and weather of Mizoram. This study approaches the question of Race, Space and the establishment of modern city in post-colonial Aizawl. Gorkhalis are considered to be minorities in Mizoram. Hence the question of rights, privileges and racial discrimination comes into discussion.  This study also provides data on how the Gorkhalis have assimilated into the Mizo society and how they blend in in the Aizawl city. It also aims to study the experience of the Gorkhalis in Aizawl and how they hold on to their identity, the pressures they may face and how they cope with the cultural gap. It addresses the question of race and space in the city and how that is defined by the Gorkha people. This study aimed to explore how the Gorkhalis use their domestic space, social space, media space and political space in Aizawl.   Qualitative method is adopted in the study.  Focus group discussion and Case Study were used for data collection in the study. This study resulted in a significant understanding that the Gorkhalis who describe Aizawl or Mizoram their home are treated as third class citizens or Micro-minorities of the state. Racial discrimination and inequality are felt as a whole community rather than personal violation. The Gorkhalis use the media space as a platform to unite themselves and raise awareness amongst themselves as a community. In general we can find that most of them are discontent by the way the Government denies them of the OBC rights being the minorities. As a result of this discontentment the study finds out that most of the Gorkhalis are concerned about the future of the community and their status in the society.