“We have not really experienced the promise or the transformative power of the constitution. Rather we have been at the receiving end of its militaristic powers.”

What it means to India’s northeast when we speak of “protecting” the constitution.

Over the last few days, I’ve found myself repeatedly on the defensive—from accusations flying around about the xenophobic Northeast, that people there “just want to kick everybody out”. Other “mainlanders” confess they are torn, wanting to understand and extend support but struggling to because they can’t align the protest there with their fight against anti-secularism.