Sonaram R. Sangma and the Garo Movement: A Struggle for Identity, Land, and Autonomy

The Garo Movement, led by Sonaram R. Sangma (1914-1991), represents a significant struggle for cultural identity, land rights, and political autonomy in Northeast India. Emerging from systemic exploitation such as land alienation under the zamindari system, forced labor (begar), and heavy taxation the movement gained momentum through Sangma’s Gandhian-inspired leadership. His strategies included mass mobilization, civil disobedience, and political advocacy, culminating in key events like the 1954 Tura Rally and the eventual formation of Meghalaya in 1972. While the movement achieved land reforms, political empowerment, and cultural revival, its legacy remains incomplete, with unresolved land disputes in Garo-inhabited areas like Goalpara. This study employs a multi-method approach, analyzing historical records, government reports, and comparative tribal leadership frameworks to evaluate Sangma’s non-violent resistance against contemporaries like Jaipal Singh Munda (institutional lobbying) and Rani Gaidinliu (armed rebellion). The findings highlight Sangma’s unique blend of grassroots activism and constitutional advocacy, which secured tribal autonomy under India’s Sixth Schedule but fell short of full self-determination. Institutional neglect from colonial-era land laws to post-1947 partial accommodations underscored the movement’s challenges. Sangma’s enduring influence is evident in Meghalaya’s political landscape and cultural revival efforts like the A·chik Theatre Festival. Yet, his vision of equitable self-rule remains unrealized, reflecting broader tensions between symbolic statehood and substantive tribal sovereignty. The study underscores the Garo Movement’s role in shaping tribal rights discourse in Northeast India while advocating for deeper engagement with indigenous perspectives in postcolonial policymaking.