Northey implies Gorkha = ethnic Mongoloid groups.

Hillman The analyst, KalimNews, Kalimpong, 24 April 2015: Apropos Telegraph 14 April 2015 ‘Morcha tugs at GNLF name claim’ by Vivek Chhetri requires to be disposed in proper understanding of the term Gorkha (or Anglicanised Gurkha)which interpretation either way is not important. What is important is that Roshan Giri addressing the seminar in Darjeeling has misread the term out of context which is explained here for general clarification. That is to clarify that whether Gorkha or Gurkha term in context to Northey’s remarks (Chapter XX The Eastern Border) cited in context is indicated to mean a person of Mongoloid origin. This is conspicuous in the extract printed next to the same article referred above by Vivek Chhetri.

On the exact remark of Northery in reference to Gurkha (Gorkha) though the first part of the paragraph is circled in red including quote “… in Darjeeling there is what may be termed an Indian Gurkha-land” is even till recent times is supported by the fact that anyone (Indians as well as foreigners) visiting the Darjeeling hills and infact Sikkim in process (Sikkimese Darjeeling) invariably discover and comment on the ethnological difference of the people compared to those in the plains of India. The glaring difference is what Northey intended to display. That is, the Gurkhas are infact of Mongoloid extract quite unrelated to the Austric, Dravidian or Aryan or the exogamous mixture of these races of people. Taking this scientific and historical context into account Gukha (Gorkha) in relevancy to Northey means Mongoloid race of people.

This fact dates back to ancient times of the Mahabharata epics where these ancient races under the leader Baghadata seem to have supported the Kauravas against the Pandus in the battle of the ten kings in Hastinapur. On the other hand it is quite contrary to this belief the ‘Kings of Kashmira being a translation of the Sanskrita work Rajatarangini of Kahlana Pandita by Jogesh Chunder Dutt’ that Pandavas are described as eastern race of people, nay infact, Tibetan in origin accounting polyandry (common wife of brothers) akin to that in reference to Drapaudi wife of the five Pandava brothers. There is no dispute in the history of the referred epic that Kiratas and the Cinas took to battle on the Kauravas side. The historical issue if extended to present times in relation to Gorkhaland will in no way be contrary in context. Therefore in that sense Roshan Giri deserves accolades for bringing the issue to fore and placing the demand of Gorkhaland ethnology, which believe it or not is the basis of population undertaking in Census 2011. Taking this account into view Gorkhaland is the next possibility accruing from the said census.

In support of the term Gurkha (Gorkha), I.S.Chemjzong the author of the History and Culture of Kirat People interprets the term as a Mongolian word meaning King of Kings (Kha/Khan=king). It is believed the book was banned in Nepal during monarchy. This writer wishes to know whether the ban has been lifted or not would be a welcome news.

Interestingly following the lines of I.S.Chemjong it is of interest to note that the common name Bahadur is ‘Baturu’ meaning warrior a title given to the hordes of conquering tribes by Genghis Khan (pg.12 China by Demetrius Charles Boulger).

Furthering the above history to account to the 19th century the Census undertaking in 1931 based on ethnology did contain the seed from the kernel in determining the hill peoples of Darjeeling District and Sikkim (tabled in one report) as the Hill tribes of the Himalayas is in historical consonance. Rather it was the use of mother tongue thereafter in Census 1941-2001 that some of the indigenous people lost their original identity. Only after a gap of 57 years at least the Limbu (Subba) and Tamang hill communities seem to have been listed as Scheduled Tribes (Art. 342) as indigenous to Sikkim and Darjeeling District (as acceded area of Sikkim). It is the Sikkimese territorial space which afforded the two communities to be listed as Scheduled Tribes in West Bengal (Darjeeling District) in 2002/03.

Infact it is now palpable in understanding that the removal of the two communities of their special identity had larges political ramifications since Census 1941-2001 (linguistic base census undertaking) and the new census 2011 ethnology based, afforded the Limbus and Tamangs for listing as tribes/now STs only in 2002/03 is simply fait accompli. It is felt now that the hill tribes were marginalized of their original ethnicity more on basis of political implications in order to marginalize tribal populations to the minimum in Darjeeling District since 1935 to convert the acceded Sikkimese territory as a Partially Excluded Area in the reforms process and thereby to prevent them from having a major say in the affairs of their management. In simple sentence the ulterior motive of placing Darjeeling District as a PEA was to deprive the tribes of their inherent rights and convert the same to the effect creation of West Bengal Province in 1947 (Radcliffe Commission).Following the same roadmap after independence once again the application of the Fifth Schedule (Tribes Advisory Council) which constitutional guaranteed legal provision implied conversion of the legality in creating the state of West Bengal in 1956. Now that the Fifth schedule aspect is once again reimposed in West Bengal including the implementation of Tribes Advisory Council it is more or less now certain that this guarantee would lead to the creation of a state eventually, despite political adventurism. This is a certainty so keep your fingers crossed and open it to a V sign when the dream comes true.

It is felt had GJM taken the people into confidence then the political bigwig BJP, it is imagined that the dream would have come true earlier for the simple reason now the Gorkhaland issue has been a thorn for the national parties sustenance in West Bengal. Infact the Gorkhaland is a hot untouchable issue and a burning anathema to all state and national parties across the board. The explanation is simple no party wishes to touch it as diving West Bengal would be their death knell in the forthcoming elections 2016. The BJP is no exception to this rule. Now that most people are aware of this ground reality and the same will be further magnified in the times to come will GJM survive this ordeal and be able to face the forthcoming e2016 elections. This is to a question to be asked immediately and if direly possible to go for another bout of democratically engineered agitation demanding a state or at least pass the Bill pending before both houses of Parliament to save the role played till date. The coming elections will unfold many aspects which will be counterproductive to the present parties in power, the GJM and the BJP.

Karma T.Pempahishey is the columnist and writer Hillman-The Analyst