“Restoring Democracy” is what the ruling party in power claims they did for Darjeeling, but the reality is entirely opposite of that argues Bicky
On the 2nd of May, an activist from Darjeeling – Sudhan Gurung, was brutally attacked by some men right in the heart of the town. The attack caused grievous injuries to Sudhan, deep cuts on his head and massive blood loss. Fortunately, he could be rushed to the hospital immediately, and was pulled out of danger.
Sudhan has been actively speaking against irregularities in teachers’ appointments in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration region, and has been involved in the ongoing court case in the same matter. Sudhan has been championing the cause of qualified teachers who have so far been denied positions, despite clearing government exams. While his activism bas been appreciated by most, it has also earned him enemies from some quarters associated with the case.
Sudhan mostly speaks out against the ruling party and its members for having created and promoted the irregularity fiasco in the hills, which would get him lock-horned with the party representatives in heated exchanges and arguments – mostly online. So much so, that a core member of the ruling dispensation in the hills had once threatened Sudhan of violent consequences at the hands of the affected teachers or their well-wishers in a public rally, interestingly at the same spot where Sudhan was attacked – near old super market.
The teachers whose appointments stand challenged in the court have also maintained a firm animosity towards Sudhan, as they have come to realise that he is the one of the few persons who is putting their stability and security in jeopardy. It is evident from the frequent comments and press releases on social media from some of the representatives in the group.
While my take on the teachers’ recruitment process in the hills has always remained firm and strong, aligning to the sentiments of injustice and subjugation, I shall not talk about it here, as the matter remains sub-judice and I believe that the honorable courts will serve justice in the matter. I would rather focus on how the brutal attack on Sudhan, yet again, exposes the hollow state of democracy in the hills.
The claims of “Restoration of Democracy in the Hill” has been one of the key terms used by the regional ruling party in their quest to earn popular votes. So, much so that they have the term in the name of their party as well – “prajatantrik”. They have always preached “shanti ko rajniti”, and time and again preached that “we can only achieve development if we acted inside the bounds of democracy and peace”. And yet, common people have found it difficult, more often than most, to voice their opinions against them.
It is interesting to note how right after the attack on Sudhan, the ruling party’s media toolkit got activated – with some semi-literate and redundant individuals trying to defend the party in the wake of the attack, instead of asking for an investigation and immediate arrest of the associated culprits. The party supremo himself didn’t utter a word about the incident until a massive rally was taken out demanding justice. Though the assault was public and right in front of the old super market, in a close proximity to the police station – the arrest of the suspects could only happen yesterday.
The situation reminds me of when Voltaire said – “I may not agree to what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it” – the kind of democracy we should expect our leaders to aspire for. But in our form of democracy, an activist can be attacked or killed for merely speaking against the powers that be. In our form of democracy, we are expected to sit and watch the appointments to government jobs being distributed like shopping coupons. In our form of democracy, we are expected to get arrested for not aligning to the administration and its policies.
The intention here is not to blame anyone for the attack on Sudhan – the job is for the keepers of the law to deal with. The intention is to raise some pertinent questions. Questions about how an individual can get so brutally attacked in the middle of the town. Questions on how the ruling party starts defending itself in situations as such, instead to asking for proper investigation and actions. Questions on how it becomes a crime to speak against the ruling party and administration. Questions on why such a mockery has been made out of democracy and the spirit of free speech at this age and time.
Speak out, question the powers that be. We cannot and should not allow return of “6-inchi ghatai dinchu” kind of politics in our hills again. Speak out today, for tomorrow may be too late.
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