Hindu Recolonization and Muslim Marginalization: Unraveling Xanmiholi and the Contested Geographies of Assamese Identity

Abstract

This paper examines the systematic dismantling of xanmiholi – the centuries-old ethos of mutual belonging and collective identity in Assam – through the intricate mechanisms of Hindutva politics that produce a dual transformation: the marginalization of Muslims as “Mughals,” “invaders,” and “illegal immigrants” and the simultaneous recolonization of Assamese Hindus. By analyzing historical and contemporary institutional frameworks, the study exposes how legal mechanisms, media propaganda, and political strategies systematically divide Muslims into “insider” (khilongia) and “outsider” (Miya/Bangladeshi) categories, effectively fracturing the region’s long-standing tradition of pluralistic heritage and restructures both Muslim and Hindu subjectivities. Drawing on Bikhu Parekh’s vision of plurinational democracy, the analysis explores strategies of resistance and reparative justice, offering insights into the transformation of Muslim identities and the evolving character of the Indian state. By excavating the complex genealogies of anti-Muslim violence, the study ultimately seeks to reimagine an inclusive democratic future that honors Assam’s historically diverse social fabric of xanmiholi. The broader theoretical contributions extend beyond the specific context of Assam. The analysis provides insights into the global rise of exclusionary nationalism, the transformation of postcolonial states, and the ongoing challenges of constructing inclusive democratic futures.