The Wounded Soldier

TNN | Aug 21, 2013: It is in Darjeeling that I smoked my first cigarette, wrote my first love letter, got ditched by my first girl and drank my first bottle of beer, told my first lie, fought my first fight, tasted blood in my mouth for the first time... It is there that I heard my first 

Elvis Presley, saw my first James Dean, first dabbled in Jack London... It is there that I learnt certain basic values like courage, loyalty, honesty, humility and love. And it was not just my boarding school teachers up in Jalapahar who taught me all these. But the Gorkha ponywallah at the Chowrasta, the average Gorkha shopkeeper who scolded me for swearing, the Gorkha Landrover driver who refused a light when I wanted to smoke at 14, the Gorkha coolies who carried enormous heavy loads and steadily climbed up steep stairs, who continuously gave me my values... And I returned to Kolkata, my roots, to become what I have become. But through the years, every time I went up there, I saw those same people of my childhood get poorer and more ignored...

In the mid '80s, when I was either away in Berlin or acting in films of Mrinal Sen and others, trying desperately to etch my career, I heard of unrest and violence in the Hills. The long history of exploitation and subjugation had taken its toll and clear voices were being raised for freedom and Gorkhaland. I heard and read about people fighting, dying, bloodshed, chaos... followed by the inevitable compromise, peace and ruthlessness of political diplomacy. Order was restored. Bengalis again kept rushing up to their favorite holiday destination. The nation never cared to take stock. The state powers put on their shades...

But as a successful adult, when I went up there every year, my Darjeeling seemed like a wounded soldier whose wounds were far from healing. To most of you, it's your toy train, the Kanchenjunga, your fragrance of Darjeeling tea on the Keventers rooftop, your quick, cheap getaway from the heat of Kolkata. To me, it has been all that and the sad faces getting sadder.

The handsome house boy, who served my morning tea every time I went there to write my film scripts, hid his hurt and anger with a smile. But the torn vest peeping from behind his uniform, the dirt on his torn shoes, the blisters in his hands could never lie. Every time I rolled my camera for my TV or feature films, the apparently beautiful, blue hills looked more and more devastated with poverty and degradation. Even the richer hotels, which I and my wife could afford now, served food that did not taste better than the cheaper ones we stayed in during our honeymoon. Everyone blamed it on the political unrest and government's nonchalance, but very rarely I found my own community addressing the issue in its true light. What had gone wrong? When? How?

It all dates back to the early 19th century when the British colonized the Hills. The region was annexed by Sikkim from Nepal. With the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816, Darjeeling was handed over by Nepal to the British. With the Treaty of Titalia a year later, it was handed back to Sikkim. But the East India Company found it a great sanatorium for relaxation and forcibly demanded it from Sikkim and the Raja leased it to the British with a Grant of Deed in 1835. Other surrounding parts were annexed from Bhutan. When Dr Campbell founded the first tea plantation in 1850, the British encountered tribes whom they called the Gorkhas (with sub-groups called Lepchas and certain other tribes, Adivasis and Rajbanshis).

With the tea plantation the British concentrated on these tribes for cheap labour. The British found the Gorkhas primarily docile, loyal, very tough, fearless and recruited them as fighters for the British Army. This race of "natural born warriors" was ideal for the British in their foreign wars too. Thus, the Gorkha Regiment. This docile yet fearless race was continuously dominated and exploited by the British. This subjugation continued even after Independence. As I recently read in a student's journal in JNU, Field Marshall Manekshaw once said: "If a man says he is not afraid to die, he is either lying or a Gorkha." From this quotation, thanks to some Gorkha students of JNU Delhi, it is clearly evident that the history of the Gorkhas has always been a history of dehumanization. Dehumanization that inevitably reaches the crises of Identity.

This identity crisis has not been looked into, nor addressed, nor ever given respect by our government. The state never wanted to understand why their holiday destination cried out for freedom. The rest of the nation, least interested. Perhaps because the ballot in the Hills was never crucial when it came to winning elections, this voice has always been ignored, subjugated, suppressed and finally bribed whenever it cried out. A time has come when this voice of the loyal, dutiful, fearless Gorkha cannot be suppressed any more because it has reached more than its limits of suppression. Telangana or not, this voice would have cried out anyway. The wounds have not healed and the soldier, according to Sam Manekshaw, is too tough to withdraw from the battle...

Now, what does this soldier want? A separation from Bengal? Well, he was never historically a part of Bengal's culture, its history, its language, its tradition, its food habits, its looks, its everything. Does he want to break Bengal? Another partition? No way. He just wants his own Identity and his own place in India, as a true dedicated Indian citizen. Is he anti-Bengali? Never. The man who composed the tune of Subhas Chandra Bose's "Kadam Kadam Baraye Ja" was from the Gorkha Regiment. The Gorkhas and Nepalis of Darjeeling have always cared and respected the Bengalis and the relationship can be far healthier if the soldier is given his due. The demand for Gorkhaland is a demand for his Identity. And, no matter what we say or feel, any form of economic growth comes from one's own identity. Given their identity, your tourism and holidays will not only remain intact but become healthier and more productive.

Now if you conveniently bypass your holidaying spirit and raise questions about whether the soldier can take care of his own territory economically, then ask yourself one simple question. Which state in this country is free of corruption, political instability? Given the chance and time, the newborn will steer through all problems with support from neighboring states. Remember, he is a born soldier. Our nation has survived so much divide for almost 60 years. Our democracy has withstood so many religious, ethnic, cultural clashes from within and from outside... We are still intact. We still raise our Tricolor every year with pride. We have the generosity to open our doors to the Dalai Lama and cross swords with China. How can Gorkhaland make any difference to that pride?

We are true Indians because this democracy has given us our space to enjoy our own ethnic freedom as Punjabi, Maharashtrian, Madrasi, Bengali, Mizo, Naga, Bihari, Kashmiri, Manipuri.... all others. We will just have one more brother in the clan. A true fighter in the gang. Why deny this courageous, tough brother his identity?

I truly, honestly am not educated enough in politics. But this I know that when an entire region peacefully and democratically demands their true identity for several years, it is no longer just a political debate for elected candidates of our nation to ponder upon. It is a social cause. It needs your support and understanding as individuals who care and value your identity. It's your voice that will also finally matter, whether you are a Gorkha or not.

I write this with the belief that you may understand what is happening in a tiny part of your own country. Right now about 15 battalions of CRPF are deployed on the streets of Darjeeling, fearing violence. The locals have not shown any signs of violence till now. Thousands of locals from all walks of life are democratically rallying while coping with devastating storms, trying their best to tell you the truth... The pent-up agony is brewing. The dark skies and gloomy streets are sending you desperate warnings... If things get worse, I only pray my leadership or someone in the corridors of power sees the truth and makes a difference. As for me, the best I can do is to go up there and write some more articles, perhaps another song. But when will you see the truth? When will you, as a socially concerned Bengali or Indian, understand that it's high time you cannot misconceive that which is democratic?

I am sure my favorite house boy will no longer be there to give me my morning tea when I'm there. He will be standing in some rally with his torn shoes but with his head held high. But I am - and will forever be - proud of him. Because I know that, unlike me, he is a soldier. A soldier, who like his forefathers, is never afraid of battles. Only this time, he is fighting for himself and not others.

- The writer is a well known musician and filmmaker

( KalimNews: The writer is none other than Anjan Dutt a well known musician and filmmaker. Singer and songwriter Anjan Dutt born on January 19, 1953 was raised in the mountains of North Bengal. He had his schooling from the esteemed St. Paul's School located in Darjeeling. He did not get much opportunity to listen to traditional Bengali songs (like Rabindra Sangeet and Nazrul Geeti) but became well acquainted with western folk and country music around that time. Initially, he had no plans to make career for himself as a singer. 

Anjan Dutt is a popular artist of the 1990s Bengali music scene defined by anyodharar gaan (alternative songs). Anjan Dutta's style of music is different from the others in the sense that it has simple tunes, one that is reminiscent of western folk music. His lyrics are simple and more natural. Anjan's music is somewhat influenced by blues, bluegrass, folk and country music. He is the first Bengali artist to depend more on the saxophone. He is an admitted fan of Bob Dylan and his Bengali contemporary Suman Chatterjee.

It is well known that Anjan Dutt's songs are influenced by classical music, and especially country music and blues. Initially, he composed more upbeat, comparatively light-hearted compositions like Calcium, Haripada, Ranjana among others. These songs were influenced by numbers like Cecilia, Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard or the Beatles' track Nowhere Man. But gradually he moved on to more serious lyrics inspired by the ballads of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen and soon developed a unique style of his own, that was truly Bengali in its core, although universal in its appeal. The style is more reminiscent of the jazz, blues and rock and roll. Dutt was also inspired by eminent western singers like Don McLean,Donovan, John Denver and Paul Simon.

Anjan is also an accomplished actor. He started his career as an actor in Bengali cinema. His first film was Chalachitro directed by Mrinal Sen, where he won the prize for the best newcomer actor, at the Venice Film Festival. He has also acted in Aparna Sen's film, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer. Anjan Dutta may be regarded as one of the best serious actors in the Indian serious cinema movement, that has seen the likes of Mrinal Sen's much-esteemed film "Bhuvan Som". Anjan Dutt has been regarded by some as being the 'angry young man' of serious cinema in contemporary India.

Anjan a writer also has directed films like Badadin (Hindi, 1997), The Bong Connection (English, 2007), Bow Barracks Forever (English, 2007), Chalo Let's Go (Bengali, 2008), Chowrasta: Crossroads of Love (Bengali, 2009), Madly Bangalee (Bengali, 2009), Byomkesh Bakshi (Bengali, 2010), Ranjana Ami Ar Asbona (Bengali, 2011), Abar Byomkesh (Bengali, 2012), Dutta Vs Dutta (Bengali, 2012), BBD (Bengali, 2013), Ganesh Talkies (Bengali, 2013)

His father was a solicitor, who he wanted his son to take up a career in law, young Anjan was more inclined to working in theaters and cinema. He earned an MA degree in English literature from the University of Calcutta, in India. His friends inspired him to consider taking acting seriously as a profession. During his university days, he started working in theaters with thespian Badal Sarkar.

In his face book he writes 

"There are a lot of misconceptions floating around giving way to certain very racist attitude towards the Gorkhaland movement, especially in Bengal. Historically speaking its not a partition, not a anti Bengal movement. Its a democratic movement for autonomy/statehood based on the issue of identity. 

This movement has a long history which most of us have been blind to because we never took Darjeeling seriously enough or tried to understand their crises. The movement will be fought politically for sure. The responsible party or Government concerned will deal with it politically. But the general people of our country have to address the issue in its proper light. Ideally no one wants to hold strikes, protest marches, rallys or blockades...but sometimes for the sake of a larger cause one has to. Its the only democratic method left in hand. If the majority of the people of a place decides to stay indoors for a few days how can you force them out of their houses? Its a decent, silent, peaceful way of saying things are not OK. 

Apart from a few very small stray incidents, this people's movement, post 80s, has never been violent. I am not the ideal person to actually shed true light on this movement. I am not qualified to. But the Media at large has to take a responsible stance now and show the true picture, instead of just reporting. The media can help you all get a better picture. There are NGOs, priests, professors, doctors, lawyers, students, housewives, shopkeepers...all telling you silently about their identity crises. 

When will we listen? Let us not take a colonialist stance anymore. The fight for Bangladesh was a fight for identity. And though the field was Bangladesh, the battle was not restricted to geographical borders. 

Even Ravi Shankar, George Harrison... gave their bit. The parallel is a bit "wacky" I know, but not completely out of context. Because...again, "I HEARD TEN THOUSAND WHISPERS AND NOBODY LISTENING"...Bob Dylan. Sorry for taking your time but I just had to write this again. Once again, I do not have any political agenda."

"Its time we join the folks at Darj and unanimously voice our support of the long historical issue of Gorkhaland. The issue of Identity. Its my appeal to all free citizens of our nation who value their identity, language, culture and history, to wake up the legitimate demands of the PEOPLE of Darj. Please understand that the issue of Gorkhaland is not about GJM or Bimal Gurung, but much much bigger than them.

Like any movement they are just giving leadership because they represent the majority. Most of us Bengalis have no idea of the situation in Darj and what the demand stands for. They have always regarded Darj as a quick, convenient getaway from the heat and don't want to let go because no logical reason but the vague issue of Balkanization. Balkanization has been our legacy since the British left, but we still have survived as a democratic republic and will survive. 

Please let us not prolong our confusion over a very legitimate issue and at least raise a public forum which, if not anything,will give some emotional strength to those cut off totally at Darj without TV, with fear, unrest in their minds, filled with cops...I am not a political person or a social activist. I will never be one. I do not belong to left or right. I am just a Darj boy who through a lot of pain found my true identity as a Bengali in Kolkata. I know what Identity is all about."

His opinion is supported by many of his friends of his circle.)

Source & Courtesy of the aticle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/The-Wounded-Soldier/articleshow/21945830.cms