ST recognition- A paradigm shift

Paul Rai, KalimNews, Kalimpong, 18 November 2013: Already the GJMM has taken the issues like regularization of the GTA employees, quota-reservation for SCs/STs in GTA and release of the arrested GTA members/supporters in the list for next GTA talk. And the list of demands submitted to the President of India and the talk points of tripartite meet includes Schedule Tribe status for all the communities of Darjeeling hills and inclusion into North Eastern Council (NEC) are the two of the various demands which are likely to be the items for any future dialogue with the government. For the readers these may not be the new topics to deal with, however, as a statehood seeker knowing the factual sides of these demands would help us to focus ourselves in coming days.

NEC was created in the year 1971 by the act of Parliament. This was envisioned to have a common platform to cater to the widespread development with regard to economic and social planning by the Central government. It was formed with respect to govern these North Eastern (NE) states in harmony and to propagate the meaning of culturally united India. Having said that, the cultures of these states are somewhat common to each other and NEC has become instrumental in mitigating the differences and promoting a healthy environment.

The synchronization of GJMM’s overall demand has been perfected through two of its various demands submitted to the President of India and likely to be placed in tripartite meet i.e. recognizing the entire hill communities of Darjeeling hills as Schedule Tribes, followed by the inclusion of Darjeeling Hills in the NE council. NEC had seven states at its inception, as the time passed by Sikkim became the eight states in the same fraternity. The development packages in these areas are sponsored directly by the Centre on the basis of 90% grant and 10% Loan, as these areas are categorized as Special Category States, where in the tax is no burden for the subjects of these states. Even one of my neighbors a government official transferred to one of the NE states could save tax out of his income from all sources during his tenure in NE. One may call it small tax haven within the country, just like Bermuda and Cayman Island, with respect to international tax havens. The incorporation in NEC would benefit the entire communities at large, the government employees and businessmen should jump twice in the air for having their hard earned monies rescued.

It is the demand of all the communities of Darjeeling Hills to be recognized as Schedule Tribe, for which we have suffered for more than six decades after independence. In 1941census the major tribes of the hills were craftily de-tribe, which in turn these tribes suffered unknowingly for more than 60 years. Who will compensate the discrimination of these many years? Before I go further, let me park this question in the parking lot; what the intellectuals were doing all these years when the innocent Janata could not dig out or take in the factual stuff for which they were de-tribe-d? The injustice done then is the sole factor responsible for the poverty stricken conditions of the hill people as well as the overall under-development in terms of education, employment, rights and facilities in Darjeeling hills. I can only imagine what would have been the scene of Darjeeling today if all the major tribes were not de-listed from the tribal list.

For example: if Rai’s were not delisted from tribal list in the census of 1941, then this community would have enjoyed the facilities same as the other Schedule Tribes for 60 years. Without ST recognition there is very less scope in all the facilities that we get from the government which is our right. 60 years is a generation’s average life-span. This is just one of the examples I’ve quoted – no issues please! Prior to 1941 census all the communities of Darjeeling hills were Schedule Tribes. The whole NE and Darjeeling is a tribal belt that’s why we have cultural and ethnic resemblance to the people and culture of the other North East States (Tribal states). Apparently, Darjeeling has lived in the history with many administrative identities like ‘Backward Track’, ‘Schedule District’ which was in accordance with the fact that – this is the place where majority of tribal people lives, to understand in layman’s term.

Ultimately the identity of ‘Schedule District’ changed to ‘Partially Excluded Area’ for some specific administrative arrangement for Darjeeling and its inhabitants. Therefore, in the event of Darjeeling becoming a tribal area plus incorporation to NEC would justify the actual damage done to us for the last 60 years. If the damage is properly quantified in terms of the miseries that we have gone through, then government needs to address the demands of GJMM seriously and positively. The development of the overall communities depends on the tribal status – nobody would disagree, I suppose.

As one of our subdivisions Siliguri has stretched with the narrow width of 21 to 40 kilometers across international borders connecting all sides with roads, rails and air is the only corridor (hope) for entire NE India. It is a business hub and when it will be incorporated permanently into NEC than I believe it would be a center of spectacular development and commerce. On top of this the tax exemption criteria would be like another Midas touch. If this criterion is properly understood by the majority population of Siliguri than the movement would be equally vibrant in Siliguri for Gorkhaland as it is in the other sub-divisions. Siliguri is an important place, I find very less people who do not know Siliguri – it’s commonly known as a business city in rest of India.

If these demands are met than our statehood dream is not too far to become a reality. I am diligently praying to God to help us and our leaders in Darjeeling, as well as in the State and National levels to open the way for the formation of Gorkhaland, honestly speaking. We should always be positive and confess positive things even when circumstances look dim. Being positive there is another power which we need to explore by remaining united. My appeal to all is to remember this song “Hum Honge Kamyab … Ekh Din, Maan Mae Hai Biswas” with faith, if you get nothing to hold on – you cling unto this. ( Paul Rai is a freelancer and columnist)