Gorkhaland – An Identity crises
You may have heard numerous times before that residents of some other states must deal with racism. However, are you aware that residents of the same state must struggle with racism there as well?
Well, the state of West Bengal is experiencing a long identity crisis, and the movement is known as the Gorkhaland movement. “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or he is Gorkha.” Field Marshal Sam Maneshaw’s statements summarise what makes a Gorkha,
But unfortunately, they do not reflect their satisfaction with how their own state government is being treated. It has a long record, so let’s start by talking about how the issue originated.
According to historical records, Gorkhas are Indian citizens who originated in Nepal. Gorkha had captured sections of Sikkim, including Darjeeling, from the Sikkim king in 1780, but during the Anglo-Gorkha/Nepali war of 1814–16, Gorkha had lost it and had signed the Treaty of Sugauli with the British(EIC). The governor-general was Francis Rawdon-Hastings
Later, the British signed the Treaty of Titalia with the King in 1817, taking the area away from the Gorkhas and giving it to Chogyal of Sikkim. But once more, the British took control of the Darjeeling Hills from the King of Sikkim in 1835 through a Deed of Grant. Later, the British added Kalimpong and Doora to the Darjeeling Hills through the Treaty of Sinchula on 1865.
The first Druk Gyalpo (King of Bhutan) and Sikkim Political Officer Charles Alfred Bell signed the Treaty of Punakha on January 8, 1910. Which maintained Bhutan’s independence and gave the Bhutanese Royal Government a higher stipend. Britain also assumed control of Bhutan’s diplomatic relations. In contrast to Kolkata, where Bengali is spoken by a majority of the population, Darjeeling and Siliguri is home to a majority Nepali-speaking population. Marriages, other events coming out of Nepal, and people moving from one place to another are all contributing to population growth of Gorkha on hills.
In 1907, the Himalayan Association of Darjeeling proposed that the Nepali-speaking population have their own administration and the same they demanded in 1917 to the British government. But nothing much has happened, and in 1947, CPI presented a memorandum to create a Gurkhasthan that includes parts of Sikkim and Darjeeling.
This developed as a result of the large number of Bengalis who moved to the hills and Gorkha, were worried about losing their identity.
In 1952,When nothing changed, the Akhil Bhartiya Gurkha League (ABGL) met Pundit Nehru and requested that they form their own independent state by breaking away from Bengal. The biggest problem was language, and being forced to speak bengali meant they were losing their identity.
The main issue began when Bangladeshis began moving to eastern Bengal and the Hills, and as a result, the population faced increased challenges.
Once more, nothing could be done, and a lot has happened in Indian politics as well.
So, because they were becoming characterised in their capital city of Kolkata, Pranta Parisadh of Darjeeling president Indra Bahadur Rai wrote to Mrs. Gandhi in 1980 requesting the creation of a new state called Darjeeling.
Again When nothing occurred, Subash Ghisingh created the Gorkha National Liberation Front in 1980, and demanded separate state Gorkhaland and 1200 people died fighting for the cause in 1986.
In terms of strategy, the Siliguri corridor, often known as the “chicken neck,” is crucial for us because, if there are ongoing issues there, barring that 20 to 22 km-wide section would allow the north-eastern region to be divided.
After some time, the GNLF and the Bengal government signed the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council Agreement in 1988. Jytoi Basu was the CM of Bengal.
And the government honoured the Indo Aryan language in 1992 and added it to the list of the 22 recognised languages in India.
After that, things improved a little, but, of course, racism and the need for employment caused some people to leave the hills. Despite this, they were taken seriously and managed to make ends meet.
But in 2017 The Mamta Banarjee government mandated Bengoli in schools syllabus, which they believed to be a threat to their language and identity. Gurkha Janmukti Morcha Founded by Bimal Gurung, who has spoken out more in favour of Gorkhaland. He is also accused of killing Madan Tamang, the head of the Gorkha league, in 2010, after Madan criticised Bimal’s methods.
People are frightened as a result of the army being deployed and the numerous clashes between protesters and police. People were frightened and terrified as fire spread throughout the Darjeeling Hills. Unlike Mamta Banarjee, GJM sought to speak with the central government.
On June 8, the day the state cabinet met there for the first time in 45 years, violence broke out in the centre of Darjeeling. Hundreds of GJM demonstrators went on the rampage, destroying police barriers, throwing rocks at officers, and torching a police outpost.
By dusk, it was necessary to mobilise the troops to stop the situation from getting out of hand. Bombs have gone off in Kalimpong and Darjeeling Later the things gets settled.
Because it is so crucial strategically and for the entire North East region, the conclusion needs to be discussed with the state. Such a situation is unaffordable for us, and China takes advantage of it.
State requirements may be complex, resulting in an economically autonomous commercial district with separation for bengol and tousism. However, there must be a solution, and occupations should be available everywhere and identities should not be restricted.
Government has long faced criticism for collecting taxes from the hills while developing other parts of West Bengal.
Because Darjeeling is the oldest hill station in British India and modern Indians like the hills and the entire Himalayan region.
We all enjoy visiting it together with Kalimpong, Siliguri, and other nearby hill stations.
Whatever the Gorkha want, they should be able to achieve it by negotiating and settling with the government, as we love and support them.
Peace