12 mths on, 12-hour respite for Hills on I-Day

TNN |  Aug 15, 2017, DARJEELING: Seventy years ago, it wasn't an Indian flag, but a Pakistani one that was hoisted at the Town Hall in Darjeeling. After fierce opposition by the Congress and Gorkha League, it was brought down and the Tricolour was hoisted on August 18 that year.

On Tuesday, when the Tricolour will be hoisted in Darjeeling, the town which has already witnessed a 62-day strike — the longest since Independence — will remain gripped by a sense of restiveness and anxiety. This isn't without reason. Ten days ago, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) president Bimal Gurung issued a statement saying "Bengal — Darjeeling Chhoro (Bengal — quit Darjeeling)". This will be the main slogan of the people of the Hills on Independence Day.

As Darjeeling started preparing for the I-Day celebrations, national flags were being sold all across Chowk Bazaar. On Monday morning, several makeshift shops were set up on the road leading to Chowrasta. Tricolour bandanas and badges were also on sale. "We have already decided to make a huge celebration on Independence Day. A cultural programme will be organized on Tuesday morning," said Binita Roka, GJM spokesperson.

The Morcha has also announced there will not be any picketing on August 15 from 6am to 6pm. "While the bandh will continue, there will not be any movement restriction. People can even travel in their cars without passes," said a GJM leader. For residents who have found the relaxation a refreshing move, even if for 12 hours, it was being felt Gorkhaland supporters have started preparing an ambience to start talks.

Old-timers went back to August 14, 1947, when Pakistan's national flag was hoisted at the Town Hall. "I was a kid then when India got Independence. But some memories are still not blurred. Muslim League had a good presence in Darjeeling and they hoisted Pakistan's flag," recounted noted poet and Linguist Nanda Hangkim, a recipient of Sahitya Akademi award in 2012.

According to locals, a lot of turmoil followed the political situation of the Hills town after that. Pakistan's flag was hoisted at a few places in Kalimpong and Kurseong too. While a section of the residents thought Darjeeling might become part of East Pakistan, nationalist leaders opposed the idea. "On August 15, 1947, nationalist leaders celebrated Independence Day in Darjeeling. But Pakistan's flag kept fluttering at the Town Hall," said novelist Barun Roy.

"Nationalist sentiments were always deep-rooted in Darjeeling. Bal Bahadur Giri was an active Congress leader then. When he found the Muslim League has masterminded a plan, he got in touch with Gorkha League leaders to unsettle the scheme," Hangkim commented.

Gurung, in his earlier statement, had said: "Just as the British exploited us and tortured us, the Bengal government is also doing the same with the people of the Hills, Terai and Dooars. Therefore, when we participate in I-Day celebrations, we will not only be celebrating our glorious freedom struggle but also be protesting against the Bengal's colonial rule."

The schools, however, are facing an uphill task to keep functioning and have indicated they will have a sedate Independence Day celebration. For them, the urgent factor is to restore normalcy. Some of the schools like St Joseph's School, North Point in Darjeeling and Himali Boarding School in Kurseong that have been conducting classes in towns like Siliguri were hopeful the situation would look up from Tuesday. "I have been asking them to allow us to conduct classes on the school campus. So far, they have not responded," said Father Sajuman, principal of St Joseph's School. "When the talks were on, we were hopeful schools could go back to normal routine. We are taking classes in Siliguri, but that means a lot of expenses. Education sector should have been given some relaxation," felt Robindra Subba, director of Himali Boarding School.