Scheduled Tribe Re-Inclusion Will Be Jeopardized

Scheduled Tribe re-inclusion for the 11 Gorkha sub-tribes has remained a prominent issue in our Darjeeling region for decades. This is not only about ensuring historic justice, but it is also important to save the Gorkha jaati-ko-kipat – Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars from demographic changes that are being gradually forced upon our region.

In the midst of a very sensitive negotiations in Delhi, our entire region is about to explode into a communal strife – jat-jat-ko-ladai. I fear, the powers that be are deliberately setting this game up to derail the Gorkha ST movement.

Here’s why…

An absolute nobody, who claims to be a “chef” – comes out from nowhere and starts writing multiple articles on critical issues – from politics to society, one after the other. His articles, some of which were outright inflammatory, misleading and stupid, were however given platform by prominent online portals in both Darjeeling and Sikkim. He even joins a political party and quits.

As the name recognition of this individual grows, he makes a highly derogatory comment against the Gorkha sub-tribe – Bahuns.

It takes a while for the outrage to begin, but the outrage begins from Sikkim and then Darjeeling follows. The Sikkim Police pursues that ‘chef’ and brings him back.

Once back, he gives a bizarre interview, which is being used by politicians to their benefit. But from what I hear, jat-jat-ko-organisations are also being riled up and instigated to react to that statement- through demonstrations. What’sApp groups are being formed, facebook and Insta reels are being uploaded.

This, I fear is a set up to derail the Gorkha ST demands, and once again people are falling for it. Just like how 2017 Andolan was instigated to replace Bimal Gurung by instigating people through Bengali language impositiong drama, this entire episode is being instigated to derail re-inclusion of 11 Gorkha sub-tribes.

In Manipur, the initial outrage against Manipur HC order to initiate ST Status for Meities was mostly peaceful. But for some reason, it became violent with no intervention from the Central Government. After hundreds of lives have been lost, now the Central Govt has intervened in the form of a President’s Rule and violence is ebbing.

But amidst all this, what is truly and spectacularly dead is the Meiti community demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

If there is communal strife in our region, it will, in all likelihood, give the Central Government an additional excuse to deny the remaining sub-tribes ST status, as Center will show “law and order problem” due to the demand.

I am therefore requesting all sub-tribes, please don’t get involved in this manufactured tensions and strife. The chances that those instigating you are working for the powers that be, or for money to foster communal strife and tension is very high.

We are one people, we share one history, one heritage and one geography. We intermarry, we live together and eat together – this is our culture and this is who we are. Hate is foreign to us, don’t let this foreign entity destroy our unity.

No matter how angry you are, don’t play into the hands that are deliberately trying to rock the boat. Instead use them to hold the sail steady, stay united and ignore agent provocateurs – let law take its course. Don’t react to provocations, no matter how tempted you are. Your public display of outrage will be used against you to deny Gorkhas justice.

Don’t let them use our anger to justify their inaction.