In our first episode on citizenship, we focused on the definition of citizenship being discussed within the Assembly. While the Constituent Assembly was still drafting the clauses on citizenship, it tasked BN Rau, the constitutional advisor and the Constituent Assembly Secretariat, a non-political, administrative body with creating India’s electoral roll. But there was a pertinent question that needed to be answered: Who would be on the roll? 

Then, as now, Assam emerged as a hotbed where citizenship and identity battles were fought. 

Joining us in this episode is Makepeace Sitlhou, an independent journalist covering India's Northeast for several national and international publications. Makepeace takes us through Assam’s complicated journey with identity and citizenship including the role of the influential Assam Students Union, a 1979 electoral exercise that stirred xenophobia in the state, and the flawed structure/incentives underlying the foreigner tribunals in the state. 

You can also catch Makepeace on Suno India’s podcast Cyber Democracy. 

References: 
The Foreigner, Makepeace Sitlhou
Strangers in their own land, Makepeace Sitlhou
How India Became Democratic, Ornit Sahni (Book) 
The Spoils of Partition, Joya Chatterji (Book)  
Constituent Assembly Debates
The journey from “migration certificate” to “citizenship card”, Anindita Ghoshal 

In our first episode on citizenship, we focused on the definition of citizenship being discussed within the Assembly. While the Constituent Assembly was still drafting the clauses on citizenship, it tasked BN Rau, the constitutional advisor and the Constituent Assembly Secretariat, a non-political, administrative body with creating India’s electoral roll. But there was a pertinent question that needed to be answered: Who would be on the roll? 
Then, as now, Assam emerged as a hotbed where citizenship and identity battles were fought. 
Joining us in this episode is Makepeace Sitlhou, an independent journalist covering India's Northeast for several national and international publications. Makepeace takes us through Assam’s complicated journey with identity and citizenship including the role of the influential Assam Students Union, a 1979 electoral exercise that stirred xenophobia in the state, and the flawed structure/incentives underlying the foreigner tribunals in the state. 
You can also catch Makepeace on Suno India’s podcast<a href="https://www.sunoindia.in/cyber-democracy"> Cyber Democracy</a>. 
References: 
<ol>
<li><a href="https://fiftytwo.in/story/the-foreigner/">The Foreigner</a>, Makepeace Sitlhou</li>
<li><a href="https://thebaffler.com/salvos/strangers-in-their-own-land-sitlhou">Strangers in their own land</a>, Makepeace Sitlhou</li>
<li>How India Became Democratic, Ornit Sahni (Book) </li>
<li>The Spoils of Partition, Joya Chatterji (Book)  </li>
<li><a href="https://www.constitutionofindia.net/constitution_assembly_debates">Constituent Assembly Debates</a></li>
<li><a href="https://journals.openedition.org/diasporas/5609">The journey from “migration certificate” to “citizenship card”</a>, Anindita Ghoshal </li>
</ol>

On the occasion of the 75th year of Independence, Suno India and The Equals Project are proud to release  Contested Nation, a podcast on the raging Constituent Assembly debates and the Constitution. Contested Nation explores both, the questions of identity that were being discussed in the Assembly, and the Union that was being forged outside its hallowed halls. Each episode will explore one issue that was crucial to the Constitution and the creation of India, and discuss its continued importance today.

Join us as we explore India’s founding moment!

On the occasion of the 75th year of Independence, Suno India and The Equals Project are proud to release  Contested Nation, a podcast on the raging Constituent Assembly debates and the Constitution. Contested Nation explores both, the questions of identity that were being discussed in the Assembly, and the Union that was being forged outside its hallowed halls. Each episode will explore one issue that was crucial to the Constitution and the creation of India, and discuss its continued importance today. Join us as we explore India’s founding moment!

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