Gorkhaland call unites communities in Hills

Jaideep Mazumdar, TNN | Aug 11, 2013, DARJEELING: Subhamoy Chatterjee's relatives in Siliguri and Kolkata have shut their doors on him and his family. All because Chatterjee, the vice-president of the Darjeeling town committee ofGorkha Janmukti Morcha, is an ardent advocate ofGorkhaland.

Chatterjee, who was elected to Darjeeling municipality on a Morcha ticket, has become the face and voice of the Hills party in Bengali news channels, angering his relatives even more. "My relatives in Kolkata and Darjeeling no longer talk to me and I am no longer welcome to visit them. But that's a price I am happy to pay for my political views," Chatterjee told TOI.

He is not alone in facing ostracism from his relatives in the plains. Saibal Chakraborty, secretary of the 123-year-old Nriperndra Narayan Bengali Hindu Hall, tells TOI that every time he visits his relatives in Jalpaiguri and Kolkata, the discussions veer towards Gorkhaland and heated debates follow. "Since I support Gorkhaland, my relatives have grown cold towards me. They feel I am a traitor. So I avoid visiting them nowadays," he said.

Only about 150 Bengalis remain in Darjeeling, and the Hindu Hall is the cultural hub. Homeopathy practitioner Pratapaditya Guha, whose grandfather Atul Chandra Guha was the civil surgeon at Victoria Hospital here during the British rule, feels that his advocacy of Gorkhaland has earned him the wrath of many relatives in Siliguri and other parts of Bengal. "Relations between us are no longer as warm as they used to be," he tells TOI. Government stationery supplier Raju Biswas, assistant secretary of the Hall, takes part in all processions and rallies for Gorkhaland. "I am a fourth-generation resident here and like all other residents of the Hills, I too support Gorkhaland. My relatives in the plains are uncomfortable with this, but I do not bother. I avoid visiting them," he says.

The Bengalis of Darjeeling are not the only ethnic group to openly support Gorkhaland. An interesting feature in the daily rallies is the participation of all ethnic groups. In Darjeeling, the associations of all communities - Lepchas, Bhutias, Marwaris, Bhojpuris, Sindhis, Dukpas, Roman Catholics, Protestants, Muslims and the Harijan Samaj, Mochi Samaj, Rajak Samaj, to name a few - have pledged their support in writing for Gorkhaland.

Himanshu Garg, president of the Marwari Samaj here and acting president of the GJM Minority Front, told TOI: "All Marwaris here support Gorkhaland. We have responded to the GJM's call and kept our business establishments closed voluntarily for the greater cause of Gorkhaland." J P Gupta, an insurance employee and president of Bhojpuri Samaj, says that Bhojpuris, too, want Gorkhaland. "There'll be development in the Hills, more business and employment opportunities. Twill be greater education opportunities for our children and we will benefit from a new state," he explained.

What's notable is the regular and enthusiastic participation of large number of Lepchas in the ongoing movement. "Gorkhaland is a common demand for all communities, including the Lepchas. The Bengal government wanted to create a divide between Lepchas and Gorkhas, but the participation of thousands from our community in the rallies proves that the sinister 'divide and rule' policy of Mamata Banerjee will not succeed," said Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) Sabha member Dawa Lepcha. Former chairman of Kalimpong Municipality Norden Lama told TOI that the Darjeeling Hills Scheduled Castes & Tribes Association is firmly behind the GJM in its struggle for statehood.

"The impression that only Gorkhas want a separate state is totally wrong. The current statehood stir has seen voluntary and enthusiastic participation of all communities without any exception," said Mahendra P Lama, pro-vice-chancellor of Indira Gandhi National Open University.