Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflict: A Search for Identity or an Identity Crisis? With Special Reference to Northeast India

Ethnic conflicts based on identity formation and crises have been part of human civilization. On the one hand, ethnicity has helped the communities to be united, and on the other hand, it has led to confusion and conflict. There have been a number of ethnic movements in the northeast in order to preserve ones' ethnic identity.  Therefore, there is a linkage between ethnic identity and ethnic conflict. Ethnic conflict mainly occurs when an ethnic group either looks for an identity or when they are in identity crisis. Identity is the birthright of an individual. Everyone is born into this world with an identity or with multiple identities. Identity is also formed in due course of time. Hence, identity is both inherited and acquired. Therefore, it is imperative to recognize people's identity and allow them to preserve their distinct ethnic identity. Thus, this paper would analyze some of the factors leading to identity crisis and propose suggestions to resolve identity crisis and ethnic conflicts.