Non-Tribal boards – A wake up call

Paul Rai, KalimNews, Kalimpong, 23 September 2015:  “The Mangars want a development board, so do the Rais and the Limbus. I have given it to the Mangars’ - Mamata Banerjee announced on 16^th Sept 2015, keeping the option open for ‘Rais’ for Non-Tribal Development Board. Following the announcement, it seems that non-Mangar groups started dancing, rejoicing on the announcement of another breed of Non Tribal Development Board (NTDB). This statement garnered much controversy which eventually paved the way for another political turmoil in the hills.

 It looks confusing when a number of hill communities are recommended for Schedule Tribe status based on the commissions set up for the state of Sikkim and the efforts made by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) in recent days while Banerjee is busy setting up non-tribal development boards. As we read people’s reactions on Social Medias, many are not happy with the constant formation of development boards, especially the non-tribal one.

As per the Roy Burman commission (CREPS) report in Sikkim the left-out (communities who are in the process) communities are recommended for the Tribal status. As soon as they are recognised as Tribal in the state of Sikkim same will be applied to the district of Darjeeling.  In the similar line when Tamang and Limbo communities were recognised as tribal in the state of Sikkim same applied to the district of Darjeeling and this is the burning example.

The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) recommended 10 hill communities for tribal status vig: Bhujel, Gurung, Mangar, Newar, Jogi, Khas, Rai, Sunwar, Thami and Dewan . The GJM had numerous on and off-line talks with the Centre on this issue which they have made public. However, we are only aware of the talks but not of its progress. In August 2015 Bimal Gurung had an official meet with Sikkim’s Chief Minister Pawan Kr Chamling for the support of Tribal Status for these hill communities. After the meeting Gurung immediately made for Delhi to meet the Union leaders, and later he said the meeting was fruitful.

Within a month –Mamata Banerjee comes into picture and declares a new set of arrangement for Mangars by forming a Non-Tribal development board. Further, she mentioned Rais also want a Non-Tribal development board in her speech (as per the media report). In retaliation the GJM protested the very act of CM as divide and rule in the hills. But how effective will be the GJM’s protest, will it work? Moreover, it sounds like a plan, ‘mo kuteko jasto garchu timi ruyeko jasto gara...’ In fact, we need more Tribal status and Tribal Development Boards but not the Non-Tribal ones. Something is not right because non-tribal boards are in pipeline that too for the communities who are already listed for the Tribal status. In Darjeeling district Rais and Mangars were tribal as per the census of 1931, unfortunately they were de-tribe along with other hill tribes in the census of 1941.

It is through the constant efforts made by the aspiring ST entities and political outfits that the recommendations have reached various state and national committees at a great expense. In layman’s term the word ‘Non-Tribal’ would simply mean - beside tribal communities. So how come the communities who are always up front in demanding Tribal status ready for a ‘Non Tribal’ arrangement? It looks like the home-grown poison coming via Kolkatta. It’s all politics, tomorrow there can be situations where they will make an offer which our people cannot refuse. When there will be a flow of package with less scrutiny - all commitments will go in vanity, as what happened when DGHC was signed in lieu of Gorkhaland/UT. These are all tactics against emerging ST communities. Since we know our status is Tribal, technically there should be no other status/arrangement apart from ST.  We should not fall in these snares to forfeit our right to become Schedule Tribe. Accepting Non-Tribal development board is like playing house without the foundation - let’s not build our home without it.