India, often touted as the world’s largest democracy, in reality operates under a federal structure deeply marred by ethnic, linguistic, and religious biases. The central government’s discriminatory behaviour towards its states and the rigid grip of Hindutva ideology have eroded the foundations of true democracy. Presently, over 67 separatist movements are active across India, 17 major and 50 minor movements, which are not mere outcomes of “terrorism” or “foreign interference,” but a direct response to the failures of India’s internal governance, systemic discrimination, and continued violation of regional rights by the central government.
Since the BJP came to power, Hindu nationalism has taken on an aggressive and more exclusionary form. In recent years, communal violence has increased by 30%. Coordinated attacks on Muslims and Christians, assaults on churches, and a rise in hate speech have become normalized under the umbrella of Hindutva ideology. As Indian author Arundhati Roy puts it, “Bigotry is not just killing Muslims… it’s denying them jobs, housing, and dignity.”
The separatist movements across India are not simply manifestations of rebellion or militancy, they reflect deep-seated social, linguistic, cultural, and political wounds. These movements are rooted in state-sponsored injustice, the oppression of majoritarian Hindutva ideology, and the structural failure of India’s federal system.
Key Separatist Movements in India
1. Assam: ULFA and the Struggle for National Identity
The United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) emerged as a response to federal neglect, pressure on Assam’s cultural identity, language, and sustained economic exploitation. The centre’s efforts to assimilate Assamese identity into a broader “Hindu Indian” identity have fuelled this political alienation.
2. Chhattisgarh: Naxalism: Caste, Land, and Resistance
The Naxalite movement represents a long-standing struggle against state exploitation. Land grabbing, denial of forest rights, and brutality against indigenous Adivasi communities have sparked rebellion. Hindutva’s narrative brands these tribal communities as “undeveloped” and “outside the national mainstream,” stripping them of basic rights.
3. Manipur: UNLF and the Fight for Ethnic Survival
In Manipur, movements like the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) represent the resentment generated by Delhi’s discriminatory policies. Communities like the Meitei, Naga, and Kuki are engaged in a fight for identity and survival under the shadow of the Hindutva-dominated narrative.
4. Nagaland: NSCN-IM: Nationalism vs. Hindutva
The Naga nation has always emphasized its distinct identity and sovereignty. The NSCN-IM asserts that Nagas were never part of India and were forcibly annexed through military power. Delhi’s “Akhand Bharat” (Undivided India) vision, now seen as “One Nation, One Religion,” is unacceptable to the Nagas.
5. Meghalaya: HNLC and the Struggle of Religious & Ethnic Minorities
The Khasi people of Meghalaya, predominantly Christian, feel increasingly threatened by Hindu majoritarianism. The Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) symbolizes the alienation caused by Delhi’s cultural marginalization and systemic neglect.
6. Arunachal Pradesh: Tani Army and the Quest for Identity
Emerging movements like the Tani Army in Arunachal Pradesh represent peaceful resistance against developmental inequality, cultural erasure, and political neglect by the central government. Though not yet armed, the slogans point squarely at federal injustice.
7. Barak Valley (Assam): BDF and the Demand for Cultural Autonomy
The Barak Democratic Front (BDF) campaigns for the linguistic and cultural autonomy of the Bengali-speaking population. The dual standards of the central and Assam state governments toward the Bengali identity give this movement moral and political legitimacy.
8. Odisha – Kosal Movement: A Struggle for Equal Development
The Kosal Kranti Dal represents the people of Odisha’s underdeveloped western regions. It is a response to the uneven distribution of power between Delhi and Bhubaneswar. Lingual discrimination, lack of employment, and unequal development have triggered political mobilisation.
9. Punjab – Khalistan Movement: A Reaction to Religious Suppression and State Violence
The Khalistan movement, which intensified in the 1980s, is not merely separatist in nature but a demand for religious freedom, cultural preservation, and political justice. The 1984 attack on the Golden Temple and subsequent massacres of Sikhs across India revealed the Indian state’s systematic targeting of Sikhs as “national enemies.”
Even today, young Sikhs who express pride in their religious or national identity are often labeled as “separatists” or “terrorists” and silenced. Khalistan represents a reaction to state oppression that treats a distinct religious group as second-class citizens.
A Common Thread: Federal Failure and Cultural Suppression
Whether it is the struggles of Adivasi communities, the ethnic nationalism of the Northeast, or the political demands in Punjab and Assam—all point to a single truth: India’s federal system has effectively become a vehicle for Hindutva majoritarian domination. Cultural identity, religious freedom, political autonomy, and equitable resource distribution have all been undermined—fuelling these movements.
These are not rebellions, they are reactions. Reactions to systemic discrimination, centralisation of power, and majoritarian ideology. Many of these movements have taken up arms and are now actively engaged in attacks across various parts of India. In recent years, there has been a notable surge in militant activity.
