Bodo Identity and Electoral Politics: Analysing Press Coverage of BTR during the 2021 Assam Assembly Election

By : Debashis Pratim Sarma

Page No: 71-96

Abstract
The paper attempts to analyse the relevance of Bodo sub-nationalism in the politics of Assam and its assertion in the print media. Bodo movement has been the loudest voice among all the ethnic movements for separation (both state and statehood). Two renowned newspapers of the region, namely ‘The Assam Tribune’ (English newspaper) and ‘Asomiya Pratidin’ (Assamese newspaper), are utilised to analyse the coverage given to the politics of Bodoland during the Assam Assembly Election, 2021. The study finds that the politics of Bodoland remain volatile and conflict ridden. The study indicates that the print media gave greater emphasis to BPF compared to UPPL. Moreover, it suggests that the print media prioritised verbal conflicts among political leaders, political alliances, peace, development, and the recently signed Bodo Peace Accord for publication.

Author
Debashis Pratim Sarma : Research Scholar, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Tezpur University, Assam.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/SEAR.2025.50.4