Gorkha civil society again faces challenge on the ongoing hundred days plus Darjeeling bandh. A word about the challenge; it brings a new set of opportunities thus Gorkha civil society needs to accept this with both hands. The West Bengal government took two arbitrary decisions, the first regarding restriction on immersion of Durga idol as it believes in appeasement of minorities and policy of divide and rule. This has been suitably lifted by Calcutta High Court.
The second decision was regarding forming of the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA-2), under Binay Tamang. It clearly brings to fore the divisive policy followed by the West Bengal government in the hills. Initially it was with the formation of community based development boards like Lepcha development board etc, and now it is aiming to split the major Gorkha hill party which is spearheading the bandh. The GTA was formed as a result of tripartite talks, between the centre, state and GJM which was leading the movement.
The hills have a total of at least thirty political parties. Thus summarily declaring GTA 2 without tripartite talks or elections is open to legal scrutiny. The GTA 2 with a nine member board headed by Binay Tamang has met opposition all over. There is nationally a leadership vacuum as far as Gorkha leadership is concerned. However, in the hills Bimal Gurung has emerged as the tallest leader. With cases after cases slapped, Bimal Gurung has gone into hiding. This is being used by Mamata Govt to split the party.
They have tried to foist Binay Tamang, who is facing stiff resistance. The people in the hills are suffering due to lack of economic activity; a favourable solution is the only answer. Unfortunately, Gorkhaland is not about political party, but peoples’ will, it’s a state of mind not a vote enchasing slogan. The political class needs to understand that this movement is a genuine people driven movement, an aspiration of a proud, loyal, obedient and fearless people, who are being dealt with a strong arm tactics by the state. The more the state arm twists them, the more resentment will build up. The movement is essentially democratic and within the ambit of the Indian Constitution.
Gorkhaland, as mentioned earlier, is a state of mind to which the average Gorkha connects nationally and internationally. Gorkhaland is less of a law and order problem, although that is what it is commonly portrayed as, but more about Gorkha identity. Identity is the key, it’s about self-respect, dignity and how does an individual see himself? And getting the confidence, how do others see him.
Thus Gorkhas who are mistaken as Chinese/Chinky or also commonly referred to as Nepali or commonly referred to as migrant in a lot of literature are all connected to this call of Gorkhaland. Its about not being discriminated in India, the country of their birth and origin.
The long agitation is an open festering wound, intentionally left unattended, and hoping it would run out of steam. Internet continues to be banned, shops are shut, there is food shortage, yet the nation does not seem concerned. It’s been given a spin of lawlessness while it’s the state that has imposed all the draconian laws and used its might.
Not attending to an open wound needs an answer from the Centre. This area borders Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and China. Who would not like to fish in troubled waters? With such a long agitation and a lot of hardships to the local people, there will be doubts and different opinions, in a leadership free environment, and thus the aim is to encash on dividing society by making it feel helpless. Add to it vested interests and it is a cocktail ready for disaster.
Around two months ago the average TV commentator or the intelligentsia used to say that in a few days’ time this issue will die down. Well the issue still remains but what needs to be understood is that the hopes and aspirations of 1.50 crore people for more than a 107 years have been hinged on this one hope (Gorkhaland). This hope may not be politically expedient for those who feel politics is not about people and their self-pride but about votes.
Thus today the average politician sees it as a political issue a turf war with Darjeeling being the centre of the rich uranium atom and Gorkha civil society spread thin nationally as electrons rotating around this nucleus. Ask any Gorkha what he feels about Gorkhaland the answer will be positive, some may say the ways and means to achieve it may be different, the end state remains the same.
There is an old saying for soldiers “advance and the bullet will miss you, retreat and it will get you.” The Gorkha political class sounded the clarion call in a most unprepared manner, rather than go about it systematically they gave the final call first. Instead of a graduated response the end state was the first port of call. That was a fundamental error, but now that this is the third time since 1986, with 1200 martyrs of 1986 and eleven already it’s going to be difficult to step back.
(The writer is an Indian Army veteran who has authored books Gorkha: In Search Of Identity and Gorkha: Society and Politics)