The 7th Report of the Second ARC, titled “Capacity Building for Conflict Resolution – Friction to Fusion,” addresses the various forms of internal conflicts in India and provides comprehensive strategies to mitigate and resolve them. The report examines conflicts stemming from ethnic, communal, regional, socio-economic, and insurgency-related issues and recommends solutions for better governance and conflict resolution.
1. Ethnic and Communal Conflicts
Key Issue:
Ethnic and communal conflicts in India are often driven by deep-seated historical, cultural, and religious differences. These conflicts destabilise society and pose serious challenges to national integration. Events such as riots, violent confrontations, and communal tensions disrupt peace and development in various regions.
- Communalism and Identity Politics: The report highlights that communalism often arises from political manipulation of religious and ethnic identities. Political groups sometimes exploit religious sentiments for electoral gains, fostering divisions between communities.
- Historical Precedents: Incidents like the Gujarat Riots (2002) and the Babri Masjid Demolition (1992) are used as case studies to illustrate how communal conflicts can spiral out of control, leading to widespread violence and social unrest.
- Role of Civil Society: The report stresses the need for civil society, including religious leaders, NGOs, and the media, to actively work toward promoting tolerance, secularism, and dialogue between different communities.
Recommendations:
- Strengthen inter-community dialogue and promote education on tolerance and secularism.
- Improve early warning systems to detect rising tensions and prevent communal violence.
- Foster the use of Peace Committees at the local level to mediate during periods of communal tensions.
2. Regionalism and Secessionist Movements
Key Issue:
Regional disparities and perceived neglect by central and state authorities have contributed to regionalism and demands for autonomy. This is particularly evident in regions such as the North-East and Jammu & Kashmir, where issues of identity, ethnicity, and perceived injustice fuel secessionist movements.
- North-East India: The report identifies the long-standing insurgencies in the North-East as being driven by ethnic identities, lack of economic development, and political marginalisation. The Naga Insurgency and the Assam Conflict are cited as examples of how political grievances have led to armed rebellion.
- Jammu & Kashmir: The report also highlights the Kashmir conflict, rooted in issues of political autonomy and identity. This has been exacerbated by external factors such as cross-border terrorism and internal factors like the lack of economic opportunities and political representation.
- Alienation and Governance: In both cases, the failure of effective governance has contributed to a sense of alienation among local populations, making it difficult to integrate these regions into the national mainstream.
Recommendations:
- Empower local governance institutions like the Autonomous District Councils in the North-East to promote self-governance and address local grievances.
- Focus on economic development in conflict-prone regions to bridge disparities and create opportunities for the youth.
- Promote cultural integration through educational exchanges and media to foster a sense of national unity without undermining local identities.
3. Insurgency and Naxalism
Key Issue:
Insurgency and Naxalism, particularly in central and eastern India, are largely driven by socio-economic factors such as land disputes, poverty, and exploitation of tribal populations. The lack of governance and basic services in these areas has fuelled the Naxalite movement, leading to a violent conflict between the state and insurgents.
- Naxalite Movement: The Naxalite insurgency, often referred to as India’s “biggest internal security challenge,” is concentrated in states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha. The report identifies that tribal populations in these regions face displacement due to industrial projects, mining, and land acquisition without adequate compensation or rehabilitation.
- Failure of Governance: The report suggests that the Naxalite problem is exacerbated by the state’s failure to provide basic services like healthcare, education, and employment in these areas. The governance vacuum has allowed insurgent groups to fill the gap and gain local support.
- Security-Development Nexus: While security forces are deployed to counter insurgencies, the report stresses the importance of balancing security measures with development initiatives. The over-reliance on military solutions, without addressing the root causes of economic deprivation, often leads to further alienation of the local population.
Recommendations:
- Create a multi-pronged approach combining security operations with development programmes to address socio-economic grievances.
- Implement land reforms and ensure the protection of tribal land rights to prevent further alienation of indigenous populations.
- Establish Special Development Zones in Naxal-affected regions to prioritise infrastructure, education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities.
4. Ineffective Governance and Service Delivery
Key Issue:
The failure of governance, particularly in delivering basic public services, often contributes to disillusionment with the state. Corruption, inefficiency, and lack of transparency in government institutions further aggravate conflict situations by eroding public trust in the system.
- Corruption and Bureaucratic Inefficiency: The report discusses how corruption and inefficient governance structures lead to the misallocation of resources. In conflict-prone areas, bureaucratic inertia and corruption prevent the proper implementation of welfare schemes, resulting in widespread discontent.
- Lack of Accountability: The absence of clear accountability mechanisms in governance has allowed local power structures, such as landlords and contractors, to exploit vulnerable populations, especially in rural and tribal areas.
- Disenfranchisement of Marginalised Communities: The report highlights that in many cases, marginalised communities, such as Dalits and tribals, remain outside the ambit of government welfare schemes due to lack of access and awareness. This often leads to social unrest and violent protests.
Recommendations:
- Strengthen local governance institutions such as Panchayati Raj to improve service delivery at the grassroots level.
- Implement e-governance initiatives to reduce corruption and enhance transparency in government services.
- Ensure social audits of all welfare schemes to prevent leakages and ensure that benefits reach the targeted populations.
5. Socio-Economic Inequality
Key Issue:
The wide economic disparity between different regions and communities fuels conflict. Poverty, landlessness, unemployment, and caste-based discrimination are identified as major factors leading to violence and unrest. Addressing socio-economic inequalities is crucial for long-term peace and stability.
- Caste-Based Discrimination: The report highlights the role of caste-based discrimination, particularly against Dalits, as a major cause of social conflict. Incidents like the Khairlanji Massacre in Maharashtra illustrate how caste-related violence continues to plague rural India.
- Unequal Access to Resources: In areas like Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, the unequal distribution of resources such as land, water, and forest rights has resulted in violent clashes between local communities and external actors like corporations and the government.
- Urban-Rural Divide: The report also points to the growing urban-rural divide in India, where urban areas benefit from infrastructure development and job opportunities, while rural areas remain underdeveloped. This disparity creates a sense of relative deprivation among rural populations, leading to resentment.
Recommendations:
- Focus on inclusive economic growth by ensuring that development initiatives reach marginalised and underdeveloped areas.
- Implement land reforms to address issues of landlessness and provide access to land for the rural poor.
- Promote reservation policies and affirmative action to address caste-based inequalities in education, employment, and social services.
6. Legal and Institutional Framework for Conflict Resolution
Key Issue:
The report highlights that India’s legal and institutional frameworks for conflict resolution are inadequate. While various agencies are involved in conflict management, there is a lack of coordination and an overarching mechanism to prevent and resolve conflicts effectively.
- Slow Judicial Process: The judicial system’s slow pace in addressing cases related to communal violence, insurgency, and social unrest is a major impediment to justice. The 1984 anti-Sikh riots and Gujarat riots are cited as examples where delayed judicial proceedings exacerbated public anger and mistrust.
- Lack of Coordination Between Agencies: The report notes that the various law enforcement, intelligence, and conflict management agencies often work in silos, without effective coordination. This results in poor conflict prevention and delayed response during crisis situations.
Recommendations:
- Establish fast-track courts in conflict-prone areas to expedite cases related to communal violence, insurgency, and human rights violations.
- Create a centralised conflict resolution body that coordinates between various agencies, such as the police, paramilitary forces, and intelligence agencies, to ensure a holistic approach to conflict management.
- Strengthen the capacity of State Human Rights Commissions to address violations and ensure accountability in conflict situations.
Conclusion
The 7th Report of the Second ARC emphasises a comprehensive approach to conflict resolution, combining governance reforms, socio-economic development, and institutional capacity building. By addressing the root causes of conflict, improving service delivery, promoting dialogue, and fostering inclusivity, India can move from a state of friction to fusion, ensuring long-term peace and stability. The report provides a clear framework for transforming internal conflicts into opportunities for growth and reconciliation, highlighting the need for sustained efforts from both the government and civil society.