Election Talks by Sudarshan Limbu

गाँउभरी भोटको चर्चा छ। चुनावको तातो हावा चल्दैछ। हिजआज साँईला भने निकै घोरिएर बस्छ। खै त्यस्को दिमागमा के चल्दैछ कुन्नी। सिधा काममा जान्छ। सिधै घर फर्किन्छ। सधैं गाँउै चार्दै बल्ल रिमरिम भएपछि घर पस्ने मान्छे। तर अचेल कसैसंग बोल्दैन।

दिन नबिराईकन नेताहरू उसको घरमा आँउछन्। कोहि बेला कुन् पार्टीको। कोहि बेला कुन् पार्टीको। नेताहरूलाई नी हिजआज थाहा भैसकेछ क्यारे! एक कान दुई कान हुँदै गाँउभरीनै साँईलाले, “म त यसपाली कसैलाई भोट हाल्दिन। मेरो सन्तानलाई नी हाल्नु दिन्न!” भनेको कुरा।

साँईला अलिक अब्डेरो र अप्ठ्यारो मान्छे छ भन्ने कुरो गाँउलाई थाहा छ। त्यति मात्रै कहाँ हो र! वारि र पारिको गाँउहरू समेत साँईला भने पछि थर्कमान छ। साँईलाको लेँडे ढिप्पी। हो त हो। हैन त हैन। तर साँईला त्यस्तै भए नी अलिक लजिकको कुरामा लेँडे ढिप्पी गर्ने मान्छे। सत्य कुरामा एक कदम पछी नहट्ने मान्छे।

धेरै दिन देखिको साँईलाको बद्लिएको भाव-ब्यवहार बारे सुनेर म पनि छक्क परेको छु।

“के चै भयो त्यस्लाई? कस्तो भुइचालो आयो त्यस्को मनमा?” भनेर जान्ने ईच्छा र कौतुहलताले म पनि पिरिएको छु। तर खै त्यस्कोमा जानु पनि कसैले सोधेको कुराको जवाब दिँदैन भन्ने सुनेको त्यसैको आमाको मुखबाट। के बहाना बनाएर त्यसलाई भेट्न जाम भनी सोंची बस्छु।

आखिरकार हिम्मत जुटाएँ। त्यस्को घरमा पुगे साँझ पख। भर्खरै आएर चिया पिउँदै रहेछ। मलाई देखेर त अनुहार अलि उज्यालो भयो त्यस्को।

“ए दाज्यु पो रैछ! यसपाली त निकै दिन बाद पो आउनु भो त! ठिकै हुनु हुन्छ?“
एकै सासमा सबै प्रश्नहरू सोध्दै बहिनी चैलाई आवाज दियो, “ओई बैनी याँ दाज्युलाई पनि च्या ल्याईदे त!”

“अँ आमा साह्रै बिसञ्चो भैबस्छ। अब सिलगडीतिरै लैजानु पर्यो भनेर आको हौ साँईला । उतै हर थोकको सुविधा पनि छ।” त्यस्लाई उत्तर दिएँ।

“हजुर दाज्यु बडी त साह्रै बिसञ्चो भईबस्छ अचेल। मानी भने त उतै लानुहोस् दाज्यु। यहाँ त कताको हस्पिटल! कताको डक्टर! बाटोघाटो नी त्यस्तै छ। खै के भन्नु। भनेर साध्य छ र!” साँईलाले नाक खुम्च्याउँदै हाम्रो पहाडको प्रशासनलाई औंलायो।

“अन्त तँ चै किन आज ढिलो पो पसेछस् त घरमा। गाँउघरतिर पनि जानै छाडिस् रे भनेको सुन्छु त!” कुराको सन्दर्भ पैलाउन मैले नी सोधी हाले।

“हैन दाज्यु आज एसो बारीतिर घुमेर आको नी। निकै बिगार गरेछ बँदेल र दुम्सीले। खै अन्त यो जँगली जनावरहरूले केई त हुनु दिदैन बारीमा दाज्यु!“
साँईला बँदेल र दुम्सी माथि मान्छेलाई झैं झोक्कियो । अनि टक्क अडियो। अँध्यारो मुख बनायो। मेरो दोस्रो प्रश्नले होला सायद।

कोठामा नीरवता छायो।

“हैन दाज्यु म त गाँउघरको मान्छेसंग नी वाक्कै भए!” साँईलाको एक्कासी निक्लेको असन्तुष्टिले कोठाको सुन्यतालाई चिर्यो।

“कुरै बुझ्दैन हौ दाज्यु हाम्रो मान्छेले!“

मलाई पक्का लाग्यो अब साँईलाले मनको भडाँस् सब उकेल्छ भनेर।

“हन के भो र त्यस्तो?” मैले शान्त स्वरमा सोधे।

साँईलाले लामो सास फेर्यो। अनि त त्यस्को मनको बाँध फुट्यो। म सुनीरहे… सुनीरहे… सुनीरहे!

वर्तमान राजनीतिक उथलपुथलको कुरा । गोर्खा जातिको धस्किन्दो धरातल। एकतामा ह्रास आएको। हिजआज त गाँउ-गाँउमा गुटबाजी चल्छ। कोहि कुन खेमामा। कोहि अर्कै खेमामा। जनता भ्रमित भएका छन्। कुन नेताको कुरा पत्याउनु। कुन नेताको नपत्याउनु। टुक्रा टुक्रा भएका राजनीतिक दलहरूको टुक्रिएको जनता। बाँडिएको जनता । विधमान राजनीतिक दलहरूभित्रको कलह अनि असमझदारीले जनताको मूलभूत मुद्धा बिर्सेर व्यक्तिगत एजेन्डालाई प्राथमिकता दिएको स्पष्ट झल्किएको पाईन्छ ।

ईर्ष्या, डाह अनि व्यक्तिगत स्वर्थको राजनितीको उपज अनेक खेमा अनि अनेक भोटमा उठेका प्रत्याशीहरूले कुन मुद्धालाई सम्बोधन गर्ने त? अनेक मुद्धामा निहित वास्तवमा जनताको एउटै आकांक्षा त छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्याण्ड हो । अनि किन जनताको भावनासंग खेलेका हुन् नेताहरूले? किन भ्रमित पारेका हुन् जनतालाई? गोर्खाल्याण्डको नाममा राजनीति गर्ने धोकेबाज नेताहरू जसले ब्यक्तिगत स्वर्थससित जनताको साझा मुद्धालाई सट्टापट्टा गरे।

स्वतन्त्र भारतमा बंगालको उपनिवेशवादको बन्धनबाट गोर्खाहरू कहिले स्वतन्त्र हुने? बंगालको गोर्खाहरू प्रतिको भेदभाव अनि शोषण, दमन अनि अत्याचारको कोर्राको मार कहिलेसम्म सहने? जुन निरंकुश सरकारले गोर्खा दाज्यु-भाईहरूको निर्मम हत्या गरे उनै सरकारको चाटुकारी गरेर नेताहरूले शहिदहरूको अनादर गरेका होइन? के शहिदहरूको सपना त्यही दागोपाप अनि जीटीए जस्ता अस्थायी ब्यवस्था हो र? यस्तै अस्थायी ब्यवस्था थाप्दै अनि समय-समयमा गोर्खाल्याण्डको नाममा आन्दोलन चर्काउने नेताहरूले सोझा जनताको रगतको बली कहिले सम्म चडाउने? यदि नेताहरू इमानदार हुन् त किन सबै एकजुट भएर मूलमुद्धा- स्थायी राजनीतिक समाधानको निम्ति लड्दैनन् त?

गुटबाजी गर्दै टुक्रा टुक्रा दलहरूले जाति र जनताको हितमा कि ब्यक्तिगत हितमा राजनीति गरेका हुन्?

“भारतीय हौं” भनेर गर्व गर्ने भारतभरी छरिएर बसेका गोर्खा जातिको पहिचान र अस्तित्व पहाडमै मात्र किन सिमित छ? के राष्ट्रले हामीलाई संविधानको प्रावधान अनुरूप आत्मानिर्धारणको अधिकार प्रदान गर्नु पर्ने होइन र? बंगालसंग पृथक भौगोलिक, जातिय, भाषिक, सांस्कृतिक अनि रिति रिवाज भएका गोर्खा जातिलाई बंगालको अभिन्न अंग भनेर पाखण्डपूर्ण दावी गर्ने बंगाललाई अनि नेताहरूलाई कसले हाम्रो इतिहास बुझाउने?

जातिको ठूलो हित अनि उत्थानको निम्ति लड्नु हो भने, आफ्नो छुट्टै पहिचान बनाउनु हो भने अनि राष्ट्रभित्र एउटा सम्पन्न गोर्खाल्याण्ड राज्यको मानचित्र कोर्नु हो भने, गरीब दुखी, चिया श्रमिकहरूको जीवन स्तरको उत्थान गर्नु हो भने, पर्जा पट्टा अनि न्यूनतम ज्याला जस्ता मौलिक अधिकारको मुद्धालाई उठान गर्नु हो भने, गोर्खा जातिलाई एक ईमान्दार नेताको अगुवाईको नितान्त अावश्यकता छ न की संकुचित भावना बोकेर इमान बेच्दै जातिलाई टुक्राउँदा “हँ मा हैंसे” थप्ने स्वर्थी नेताहरूको।

साँइलाको मनको फुटेको बाँधलाई सम्हाल्नु मलाई हम्मे हम्मे पर्यो। तर वर्षा यामको उर्लन्दो बाढले जस्तै त्यस्को मनभित्र थुप्रिएको रिस, आवेग, असन्तुष्टि अनि नैराश्यको थुप्रोहरूलाई बगाएर त्यस्को मन र मस्तिष्क बिचको बाटोलाई खुल्ला बनाएको मैले अनुभूति गरें।

“ल ल तेरो कुरा सबै बुझे मैले। तर भोट नै हाल्दिन चै किन भनेको तैँले?” साँईलाको अविरल बगेको भावनाको वेगलाई बाँध हाल्ने चेष्टा गरें।

“अन्त दाज्यु तेस्तो नेताहरूलाई किन भोट हाल्नु हौ जो भोटको बेला दारा निचाउदै हात जोडेर भोट मांग्छ अनि जितेपछि खोलामा हानेको ढुंगा जस्तै कता हराउँछ। त्यत्रो आन्दोलनमा खटियो, पुलिसको गोलीबाट बाँच्नलाई भाग्दा खुट्टा भाँचियो। के पाए दाज्यु? न ढंगको काम पाईयो न केही। उल्टा जीन्दगी लङ्गडो भयो। काम त छोड्दिम् न तर खै जुन सरकारले हाम्रो दाज्यु भाईहरूको क्रूर राक्षसले जस्तो रगत खायो, त्यसैको पार्टीलाई भोट हाल्नु? म बौलाहा हो र दाज्यु? नेताहरूले त स्वर्थको लागि सम्झौता गर्यो, हन हाम्रो मान्छे पो के भाको दाज्यु?” साँईलाको रिस मरेकै छैन।

“ल ल शान्त हु अब! तँ पढेकै केटा होस्। बुझकी छस्। तेरो मनभित्रको गाँठो खोलिस्। मैले सुने पनि। त्यस्तो चेतना तँ मा छ रैछ। म छक्कै परे।”
साँईलालाई थमथमाएँ।

“तर सुन् केटा! यदि तैँले भोट नहालेर तेरो मनलाई शान्ति त होला कि “मैले फलाना पार्टी र नेतालाई बदला लिए भोट नदिएर” सोंचेर तर तैँले यो चै किन नसोंचेको कि तँ भोटद्वारा पनि त त्यो काम गर्न सक्छस्। हैन र?”

“हेर् ! तँ जुन पार्टीलाई हारेको देख्न चाहान्छस् भोट नदिएर त्यै पार्टी बिजयी भएको देख्छस् यदि तैँले बिजयी भएको देख्न चाहाने पार्टीलाई भोट हालीनस् भने। अन्त कसरी तैँले बदला लिन्छस् भन् त?” साँईलालाई लजिक सिकाउने चेष्टा गरे।

साँईला मुस्कुराउँदै, “हैट् दाज्यु! यो भाईलाई त्यति मूर्ख पनि नसम्झनु होस् न हौ!” त्यस्ले मलाई अलि खिसी गर्यो।

“हेर्नुहोस् दाज्यु! बंगाललाई मात्र होइन हाम्रो समाज, जाति, क्षेत्रलाई पनि अब परिवर्तनको खाँचो छ। सत्तासिन बंगाल सरकारको दश वर्षको रिपोर्ट कार्ड हेर्नु हो भने, हिंसा, हत्या, लुटमार, घोटाला, तुष्टिकरणको राजनीति मात्र पाउँछौं। सत्ता जोगाउनुलाई लोकतन्त्रको पनि हत्या गरेका छन् यिनीहरूले। हाम्रो क्षेत्रलाई हेर्नुहोस् आप्पाको पालादेखि कुनै परिवर्तन छ? क्षेत्रिय पार्टीहरूले के नाप्यो? जनता प्रति धोकाधढी, बैमानी मात्र गरेको छ। शहिदहरूको आहूतीलाई अनादर गरेको छ। अन्त त्यै दागोपाप पछी जीटीए थापेर जनतालाई लट्टाई रहेको छ। त्यस्मै पनि कुक्कुरहरू जस्तो लडीराको छ। नपाउनेले केरा पायो बोक्रैसित खायो भन्छ नी।” साँईला खित्का छोडेर हाँस्यो कोठै थर्किने गरी।

तर त्यस्को हँसाईले मलाई शान्ति मिलीरहेको थियो। दस मनको भारी बिसाएको अनुभूति भैरहेको थियो । त्यस्ले “अ” भन्दा मैले अलांकार बुझीरहेको थिएँ।

“हो साँच्चै हाम्रो जातिलाई, हाम्रो समाजलाई पनि परिवर्तनको नितान्त खाँचो छ। एउटा नयाँ परिवर्तन जसले हाम्रो आकांक्षा बोकेर ल्याएर दिएको होस्। जसले गरीब दुखी चिया बगान श्रमिकहरूको रगत पसिनाको हक र अधिकार -न्यूनतम ज्याला प्रदान गरेको होस्। पिता पुर्खादेखि बस्दै आएको घर जमिनमा मालिकाना हक र अधिकार- पर्जा पट्टा दिलाएको होस्। त्यो परिवर्तन जसले गोर्खाहरूको शताब्दी पुरानो मांग अनि आकांक्षा ” स्थायी राजनीतिक समाधान” ल्याएको होस्। कल कारखाना , संरचना, रोजगार ,शिक्षा आदि कुराहरूले बिकासको नयाँ आयाम तयार पारेको होस्। त्यो नयाँ परिवर्तन जसले गोर्खा जातिलाई पनि राष्ट्रको हरेक छेत्रमा अनि स्तरमा प्रतिनिधित्व र प्रतिस्पर्धा गर्ने मौका दिएको होस्। त्यो परिवर्तन जसले गोर्खाहरूको दूर्भाग्य र द्वेष मेटाई दिएको होस्। त्यो परिवर्तन जसले हामी गर्वसित भन्न सकौं कि हामी आप्रवासी होइनौं- हामी भारतीय हौं। त्यो परिवर्तन जसले हाम्रो शिर खडा गरीदिएको होस्। त्यो नयाँ परिवर्तनको नयाँ बिहानीको न्यानो घाम गोर्खा जगतमा उदाएको होस्।”

“हन दाज्यु के सोंचेको हौ त्यस्तो?” साँईलाको चर्को स्वरले झसङ्ग भएँ।

“लु खाना खाँऊ दाज्यु बैनीले ल्याईदेछ। जीउ दुखेर हौ साह्रो। त्यसैले अघि बारीबाट आउनुसाथ भाले ढालेको थिए कि । बैनीले कस्तो पकायो कुन्नि!” साँईलाले कमेजको बाहुला सुर्काउँदै इशाराले मलाई अतिथि सत्कार जनायो।

The post Election Talks – साँईलाको सीधी बात नो बकवास appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

यो प्रश्नले शायदै भारतीय गोरखाहरूलाई पिरोलेका छन् जत्तिको मलाई पिरोलेका थिए जब रोजगारको शिलशिलामा विदेशको नौलो ठाँउमा शुरूका दिनहरूमा जागिर खाई रहेको थिए म । आज सम्म नै यो प्रश्नले मेरो मन मथिंगलमा भूँइचालो ल्याउँने गर्दछ ।

दिमागको रीसको पाराले त पराकाष्ठ नाघिसकेको हुन्थ्यो तर त्यो अज्ञानी सोध्ने व्यक्तिको पनि के गल्ती हो र भनेर आफूलाई थमथमाउँन बाहेक कुनै विकल्प हुन्थेन।

विश्वको सबै महादेशहरूका थरि थरिका व्यक्तिहरूसित कामको बखत वार्तालाप औ बातचितको शिलशिलामा यस्ता आफू होचिने समस्याहरूको सामना गर्नु पर्ने स्थिति दिनहूँ चल्दथ्यो र अझै पनि जारी नै छ तर अब त बानी परेर होला रिस चै उठ्दैन तर मन अमिलो चै पक्कै हुने गर्दछ ।

” नो,आई एम फ्रम इण्डिया ” मेरो स्वभाविक र तथ्य उत्तरमा उनीहरू दंग पर्थे र फेरि प्रश्नहरू तेर्साउन शुरू गर्दथे ।

“इण्डिया व्हिच प्लेस?”

“दार्जिलिंग”

वाऊ ! दार्जिलिंग ? व्यूटिफूल प्लेस…दार्जिलिंग टी , ट्वाई ट्रेन, कोल्ड व्हेदर राईट ?”

म खुशीले फुरूंग्ग हुन्थे र मन्द मुस्कानले स्वीकृति जनाउँथे । विश्व मानचित्रमा एउटा कोदोंको दाना जत्रो दार्जिलिंग यी कुराहरूले प्रख्यात भएको सुन्दा गर्व महसुश गर्थे र नाक फुलिन्थ्यो ।

तर सबै मानिस एकै नासे त पक्कै हुँदैनन् । कोहि त “किन झुठो बोल्छस् ?” पनि भन्थे । झोक चलेर पासपोर्ट मुखैमा पो फ्याकदिम् जस्तो पनि लाग्ने । गर्वको साथ “आई एम एन इण्डियन” भन्दा शंकाको दृष्टिले हेर्दा मनमा अनेक प्रश्नहरू उब्जन्थे । आफैलाई सोद्धथे ” के विविधतामा एकताको देश भारतमा विभिन्न जात -जातिहरू मध्ये एउटा मंगोलियन अनुहार भएको भारतीय गोरखा जाति हुन सक्दैनन् र? के चिम्से आँखा भएको मानिस नेपाल, चिन, कोरियाबाट मात्र हुन्छन् ?

विडम्वना, “म भारतीय हूँ ” भनेर गर्व गर्ने अधिकार पनि खोसेको तितो महसुश हुनु त स्वभाविकै हो । तर मुटुमा नै कसैले सियोले च्वाँस्स घोचेको भान हुन्थ्यो र हुन्छ ।

विश्वभरी प्रख्यात दार्जिलिंग चिया, विश्व धरोहर दार्जिलिंगको ट्वाई ट्रेन र यहाँको सुखद मौसमसित चिरपरिचित विश्व समुदाय भारतको पश्चिम वंगाल राज्य अन्तर्गत एउटा सानो पहाड़ र तराई सम्मिलित जिल्लामा भारतीय गोरखा जातिको बसोबास छ भन्ने कुरोमा अनभिज्ञ रहेको देख्दा ती प्रश्न सोध्नेहरूलाई भन्दा आफूलाई धेरै प्रश्न तेर्साउन मन लाग्दथ्यो । फुर्सदको समयमा निम्न प्रश्नहरू मेरो मनमा उब्जन्थे –

1. भारतभरि छरिएर बसेका गोरखाहरूको भारतीय पहिचानमा सधैं किन प्रश्न चिन्ह खड़ा हुन्छ?
2. भारतीय संविधानको प्रावधान अनुरूप जातिय सांस्कृतिक औ भाषिक आधारमा गठित राज्यहरू मध्ये गोरखाहरूको अलग “गोरखा” राज्य किन गठन भएको छैन?
3. के राष्ट्रको सुरक्षा हेतु गोरखाको योगदान र बलिदानको उल्लेख्य मुल्यांकन अझै भएको छैन?
4. के राष्ट्र निर्माणमा गोरखाहरूको योगदान र बलिदानको राष्ट्रीय अभिलेखको अझैसम्म अंश औ मापदण्ड पुरा भएको छैन ।
5. के गोरखाहरूले राष्ट्रको हितमा भातृत्व,भाईचारा औ राष्ट्रीय अखंडता कायम गरेका छैनन्?
6. के गोरखा समुदायबाट कुनै एक दक्ष व्यक्ति छैन जसले राष्ट्रीय स्तरमा गोरखाको प्रतिनिधित्व गर्न सक्दछ औ कुनै राष्ट्रीय पार्टीको प्रतिनिधित्व गर्न सक्दछ?
7. के गोरखा समुदायमा बौधिक्ताको कमी अझै खट्किरहेको छ?
8. के गोरखा समुदायले व्यवस्थापन र प्रशासनमा अझै दक्षता हासिल गरेका छैनन्?
9. के गोरखा समुदायमा अझैसम्म एक कुशल, दक्ष र ईमान्दार नेताको जन्म भएको छैन औ भएर पनि पाखण्डतालाई शिरपेच बनाएका हुन्?
10. के गोरखा समुदायमा साक्षरता दरको विकाश भएको छैन ?
11. के हाम्रो शिक्षण प्रणाली व्यवहारिक छैन ?
12. के हामीमा राजनीतिक ज्ञानको कमी भएको हो औ आधारभूत अधिकारको समेत ज्ञान नभएको हो?
13. सदैव “बीर गोरखाको” गुथी मात्र पहिरिएर हिँड़ने कि बुद्धिमताको पनि?
14. के हामी सांच्चै भोलीवादी प्रथाले ग्रसित छौं?
15. के हाम्रा युवा पीढ़ी निष्क्रिय र शिथिल छन्? कि तिनीहरूलाई प्रेरणा र हौसलाको स्रोतको कमी भएको हो?
16. युवा पलायनको कारणहरू के के हुन् त?
17. के ग्रामीण क्षेत्र औ चिया कमानको जीवन स्तर सधैं सोचनिय अवस्थामा नै रहने हुन् त? दीर्घकालीन उपाय र समाधानहरू छैनन् त?
18. चिया कमानका श्रमिक औ तिनीहरूका परिवार कहिले सम्म गरिबी र कुपोषणको शिकार हुने हो?
19. कहिले सम्म हाम्रा गरिब श्रमिक र दिदी बहिनीहरू कमानको घण्टा नबज्दै रूझीभिझी चियाको बुटा समाउँन पुग्न पर्ने त?

आदि ईत्यादि…

लहरा तान्दा पहरा गर्जन्छ भने जस्तै प्रश्नहरू माथि प्रश्न थपिएला तर अन्त भने पक्कै हुने छैनन् प्रश्नहरूको लहर।

१९०७ देखि छुट्टै राज्य गोरखास्थान औ गोरखाल्याण्डको मांग गर्दै आएका गोरखाहरूका अवस्था शताब्दी बित्दा सम्म “ओरोको सिन्का पर” सम्म नभएको बिडाम्वनात्मक कुरो देखेर संसारले “कठैबरी !” मात्र भनीरहेका छन् ।

भारतीय राजनितीको कयौं उतार चड़ाऊ देखे होलान् तर गोरखाहरूको अवस्थामा न उतार आयो न चड़ाऊ नै मेरो व्यक्तिगत अनुभवमा । बदलन्दो समयको अनुसरण गर्दै गोरखाहरूको जीवन शैलीमा परिवर्तन आयो होला तर अरूको हैकमवादी हुकुममा टाऊको निहुराएर “हजुर हुन्छ” भन्ने मानसिकता भने जहींको तहीं छ । आफ्नो जातियता, विविधता र संस्कृति हामी आफैसित मात्र सिमित छन् । कसैले सरहना र गुणगान गरिएको राष्ट्रको पाठशाला र बिध्यालयको पाठ्यक्रममा पढ़न त परै जाओस कसैले सम्मिलित गर्ने जमर्को सम्म गरिएको पाईएको छैन । तर विविधतामा एकताको देश औ विश्वकै विशाल लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र देश भारतमा अरू जातिको भाषा-भेषभूषा, संस्कृति ,सांस्कृतिक खाना र जीवनशैलीको बखान पाठ्यपुस्तकमा प्रशस्तै पढ़न पाईन्छ ।

आफ्नो जातियता र संस्कृतिको गर्व गर्दै शिर ठाड़ो गरेर हिड़ने त्यो उज्यालो बिहानीको पर्खाईमा गोरखाहरूको कति पीढ़ी बितेर गए तर कसैलाई चिलाई न कनाई छ । “ए भैहाल्छ जीन्दगी चलीरहेको छ ” भन्ने मानसिकतामा कुंजिएका हामी पिंजड़ा भित्रको सुंगा सरह बिवस जीन्दगी जिउँदैछौं भन्ने समेत आभास भएको छैन । चेतनाको त कुरै नगरौं ।

तत्कालिन भारतीय शासक ब्रिटिश र नेपाल माझको सन् १८१६ को सुगौली सन्धि हुन अगावै भारतमा अधिकतम संख्यामा गोरखाहरूको बसोबास थियो अर्थात गोरखाहरू माटोसंगैको भारतीय रैथाने हुन् भन्ने एतिहासिक तस्तावेजहरूको प्रस्तुतीकरण पनि नभएको होइन तर भारतीय सरकार औ भारतीय नागरिकहरूको बुझ पचाईको पाखण्डता जगजाहेर छन् औ कानमा तेल हालेर बसेका छन् जो तितो सत्य हो।

हालैमा अधिकारिक दार्जीलिंग भ्रमणमा आएका रेलवे मंन्त्री श्री सुरेश प्रभुको बयान कत्तिको विवादास्पद रूपमा लिए हाम्रा मानिसले र पत्रपत्रिका र पत्रकारहरूको कति ध्यान आकर्षण गर्यो थाहा लागेन तर अन्य ठाँऊ र जाति प्रति यस्तो पाखण्डपूर्ण,मिथ्यात्मक औ ढोंगपूर्ण बयान दिएको भए कति हंगामा मच्चिने थियो होला । कोलकताबाट प्रकाशित प्रख्यात दैनिकी “टेलीग्राफले” ट्यूटर मार्फत दार्जीलिंगको एक चिया कमानको तस्बीर साँझ्दै मकैबारी नेपाल लेखेर गोरखाहरूको घाऊमा नुन छर्किने दूर्भावपूर्ण भनौं या दूेषपूर्ण कार्य गरे तर हाम्रा मानिसले शिष्टाचारपूर्ण प्रतिरोध पनि गर्न भ्याए कि भ्याएनन् ।

छिमेकी देश नेपालसंग भारतीय गोरखाहरूको जातियता, संस्कृति ,भाषा औ जीवन शैलीको समानतालाई आधार बनाएर भारतीय गोरखाहरू नेपालबाट पलायन भएका अप्रवासि भारतीय हुन् भन्न कुन मुखले दिएको होला जब कि देशको मूल नागरिकको पहिचान औ हक अधिकारको रूपमा सरकारले नै भोटर आई कार्ड, राशनकार्ड ,आधार कार्ड, प्यान कार्ड औ पासपोर्ट जस्ता आधारभूत आवश्यक कागज पत्र औ प्रमाण पत्र हामीलाई थम्याई दिएको छ ।

के यी कागज पत्र र प्रमाण पत्रहरूले प्रमाणित गर्दैनन् कि हामी भारतीय मूल नागरिक हौं भनेर? कि यी प्रमाण पत्रहरू सरकारको राजनीतिक स्वर्थपूर्तिको निम्ति प्रयोगमा ल्याईने भोट ब्यांकका आधारहरू मात्र हुन्? जुन भोट हाल्ने अधिकार हामीलाई प्राप्त छन् त्यसैले पनि हामीलाई देशको नागरिक हुनमाु पनि अधिकार प्राप्त गराउँदछ । तर फेरि स्वभाविक प्रश्न -के भोट हालेर मात्र हाम्रो पहिचान हुँदछ?

कदापि हुँदैनन् । हुने भए त किन हाम्रा गोरखा दाज्यु दिदी भाईहरू जातिय भेदभावको शिकार बन्दछन्? किन चिम्से आँखा भएका चाईनिस भनेर खिसीटिउरीको पात्र बन्दछन्? किन हाम्रा चेली बेटी लाञ्छनाको शिकार बन्दछन् ? के यी विभिन्न शहरमा आफ्नो कर्मथलो बनाएका गोरखालीहरूकोमा आफ्नो देशको नागरिकताको प्रमाण पत्रहरू छैनन् होला?

जब सम्म हामी बंगाल देखि अलग एक पृथक संस्कृति भाषा,भेषभूषा, खानपान र जीवनशैली भएका गोरखा जातिको संवैधानिक प्रावधान अनुरूप छुट्टै राज्य गोरखाल्याण्ड गठन हुँदैन तबसम्म यी प्रमाण पत्रहरूको पनि कुनै औचित्य रहने छैन भन्दा अत्युक्ति नहोला ।

अर्को बिडम्वनाको कुरो हाम्रा केहि पहाड़े “थिकट्याँक” औ महाबुद्धिमानी नेताहरूले पहिचान संकट (Identity Crisis) र बिकाश (Developement) मा फरक छैनन् भन्छन् । पहाड़को बिकाश भए जातिय पहिचान भैहाल्छ भन्ने मुर्ख कुरो गर्छन् । त्यसैले पनि होला हाम्रा बुद्धिमानी नेताहरूको बुद्धिमानी कुराले बिश्वस्त जनता बंगाल सरकारले दिएको जातिय बिकाश बोर्ड थाप्न ब्यस्त छन्। राज्य सरकारलाई नै बिश्वास दिलाए की हाम्रा मानिसलाई पहिचान हैन बिकाश चाहिएका छन् भनेर । “के खोज्छस काना आँखा” भने जस्तो ममताले सबलाई विकाश बोर्ड भटाभट् दिन थाली ।

बंगाल भित्र मानिस कति जातिका र कति थर भएका होलान् ? ममताले किन सबैलाई बिकाश बोर्ड दिदैनन् त र किन पहाड़े मानिसलाई मात्र जातिय विभाजन गरेर बिकाश बोर्ड दिइन् त ? यो गहिरो प्रश्नको उत्तर शायद ममतासंग मात्र होला तर हाम्रा मानिसले एकपल्ट पनि आफैलाई गहिरिएर सोधेका छैनन् होला ।

जातिय बिकाश बोर्ड थमाएर गोरखाको साझा आकांक्षा गोरखाल्याण्डलाई पूर्ण विराम लगाउने चलखेलको शिकार हाम्रै मानिस भएको हाम्रा बुद्धिजीवीहरूलाई थाहा नभएको हैन तर स्वर्थ र पाखण्डको ताला मुखमा झुण्डाएर जातियता र पहिचानलाई कुल्चिएर हिँड़ी रहेका छन् । जात-जातको संस्कृतिको जगेरना गर्नु आफ्नै ठाँऊमा छ तर के हाम्रा विविन्न जातिय उत्थानको निम्ति गाँऊको बाटो, कमिनिटी हल औ अन्य सिमित बिकाशको निम्ति बंगाल सरकारद्वारा सिमित रूपको आर्थिक कोष भावी पीढ़ी सम्मको निम्ति पर्याप्त छ?

यसको सट्टा रोजगारको द्वार खुला गरी युवा पलायनको रोकथाम गर्न उचित हैन र? युवा नै देशको कर्णधार भन्छन् तर हाम्रा समुदाय र समाजका युवाहरूको बढ़दो पलायनले मेरूदण्ड भाँचिएको विकलांग समाज भएको आभास कसैलाई भएको जस्तो लाग्दैन ।

त्यसर्थ, एक शताब्दी भन्दा पुरानो हाम्रो पुर्खाहरूले गोरखा जातिको अलग राज्य गोरखाल्याण्ड हुनु पर्छ भन्ने पहिचानको मांगलाई सानोतिनो बिकाश औ विकाश बोर्डहरूसित सम्झौता गर्यौं भने म जस्ता कयौं अरू भारतीय गोरखाहरू विदेशमा मात्र नभएर आफ्नै देशमा पनि त्यही प्रश्न “आर यू फ्रम नेपाल?” सुनेर सदैव तर्सिनु पर्नेछ र आफ्नो अस्तित्व र पहिचानबाट वंञ्चित संसारको अगाड़ी होंचिनु बाध्य भई गोरखा जाति हुनुमा आफ्नो अभिश्राप र दूर्भाग्य भएको ठान्नु बाहेक अरू कुनै उयाय रहने छैन र अरूको हेलचेक्र्याई र द्वेशको चोटको आँशु बोकेर आँउदो भावी पीढ़ीलाई गोरखाको अस्तित्व र पहिचानको दुखदायी कथा दोहोर्याउँन बाहेक कुनै विकल्प रहने छैन ।

The post गोरखाको हराएको चिनारी : दूर्भाग्य कि द्वेष? appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Zimba who is also a lawyer by profession has been an active spokesperson of the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), and has time and again publicly proclaimed late Subash Ghising as his ‘icon – Appa,’ as someone he wants to emulate. Like his Appa, he claims to emulate ideology of love for our community and soil, and has always been declamatory in advocating the same anywhere he gives his eloquent speeches.

After getting elected as an MLA from Darjeeling Constituency he has undoubtedly been successful in exalting the dignity of Gorkhas by taking oath in Nepali language in Vidhan Sabha.

As a result he received accolades and appreciation from all quarters – i.e Gorkhas across the globe.

Vidhan Sabha Blues

In recent days Mr MLA is in Kolkata, and being social media savy, he keeps on updating from his Twitter and Facebook handle about the weather of the city and his learning phase for the works entrusted on him by the public, as our a new MLA.

In a press release shared two days ago, he has credited himself for “raising some important issues and discussing some crucial matters of Panchayat, Municipality and especially disaster management”. He seems happy with the assurance given by West Bengal Disaster Management Minister – that “a high level committee will be set up in the Hills to curb disaster like landslides.”

Citing that as an example, seemingly enthusiastic Zimba said that “he will give his optimum to try and fulfill the duties, entrusted to him by people as their representative.”

Reminding people that our ultimate aspiration is Gorkhaland and that is the only reason of getting him elected as an MLA, he also put it on record that “Vidhan Sabha is not the right place to raise an issue of Gorkhaland.”

He also claimed that “Defeating imperialism of Bengal is not just another task for the Gorkhas but to fight for the ultimate goal of Gorkhaland.”

So he wrote, “we have elected our MP just for that, we all need to put pressure on him.”

His ignorance

A lawyer Zimba, whether out of his happiness being an MLA or out of enthusiasm of his work he is learning as a novice Member of the Legislative Assembly, or out of his extreme respect, paid tributes to Jyoti Basu former CM of Bengal at Bidhan Sabha Bhavan in Kolkata on his 106th Birth Anniversary. He posted his photo on Twitter paying his reverence,

Whether or not for the other people who took him otherwise but for me, “irony died a million deaths” seeing his narrative. It made me burst into a hearty laughter at first to see a Zimba claiming that his so called “tallest statesman had given up the post of Prime Minister for his ideology.”

How ignorant or rather an ardent follower (as he seems to be) could Zimba be about the real story behind his statesman giving up the Prime Minister post?

What our MLA is ignorant about is Jyoti Basu did want to rise to the power and was ambitious about becoming the powerful man of the largest democracy of the world, India. But his politburo associates had barred him from doing so,who later expressed his disappointment saying that it was a political blunder.

Forgetting roots and bloody Gorkhaland Movement of 1986

Let alone the recent bloody agitation of 2017, Gorkhas still recall the bloodiest massacre of Gorkhas in 1986 Gorkhaland Movement that was led by Subash Ghising. People still shed tears of blood recalling the mass killing of Gorkhas back in the days when Jyoti Basu was the Chief Minister who was the first to label us Gorkhas as “Secessionist.”

The blood soaked Gorkhaland agitation claimed more than 1200 Gorkha lives, for demanding our democratic rights for a separate state.

It was a constitutional demand then and it still is today.

The same Jyoti Basu who down played Zimba’s ideal Appa and handed him a mere lollipop in the form of Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, sans Siliguri sub-division.

The same Jyoti Basu who displaced many families and their happy lives, and lead to the ruining of once peaceful Darjeeling.

The murderer of thousands of Gorkhas can be the tallest statesman for some people who can compromise with their dignity, but not for those Gorkhas who are even today living a life of dignity. Not for those Gorkhas who revolted against the imperialist Jyoti Basu for our soil, and definitely not for those Gorkhas who fought with Mamata Banerjee for right to self-determination in 2011 and 2017, and not for those Gorkhas who gave a massive mandate to Mr MLA to oust Mamata’s TMC from our Hills.

Thus, paying tribute to the communist who died with blood in his hands of thousands of Gorkhas is a direct insult from our elected MLA to those brave martyrs who laid down their lives for the soil, for the democratic rights of Gorkhas that is enshrined in the Constitution of India, and for the legitimate demand of a separate state-Gorkhaland.

Hence, to uphold his moral high ground Mr MLA must therefore tender his apology taking down his narrative which is a blatant blunder.

His obligation?

Out of 294 Assembly seats in Bengal, voices from Darjeeling region is hardly heard in the Vidhan Sabha. Many MLAs from Darjeeling represented the Hills and gone, but Mamata’s “Switzerland of Bengal” hasn’t yet seen the light of the day. Under such circumstances our MLA Zimba seems to have taken the old adage, “When in Rome, do as Romans do” to his heart.

He seems to be another traditional representative in line who must by default pay an allegiance to his master from Bengal. Hence, he seems to be under obligation to dance in the tune of his colonial masters.

However, the fact he must have borne in mind, I believe, is that he was elected by people whose only aspiration is the permanent political solution that is long pending demand of Gorkhaland.

Taking the onus upon his shoulder to work for the interest of the people Mr Zimba has a long way to go to prove his mettle and caliber as people’s representative.

Neeraj Zimba seems to forget that hailing a politician who was responsible for murder of over 1200 Gorkhas as the “one of tallest statesman and leader our nation has ever seen,” is akin to Jews hailing Hitler the same. Going forward, I hope Mr. MLA will curb his over-enthusiasm to play to the gallery and please his masters in rest of Bengal.

That said, this is just a beginning of his test. There is still 2-years in his hands to stand with dignity, and people who elected him with massive votes with high expectation are watching him closely.

The ball is in your court Mr MLA!

The post MLA Neeraj Zimba and His Historic Blunder appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Political resolution on the matter of Gorkhas

1.”We will recognise the 11 left out Indian Gorkha sub-tribes as Schedule Tribes. We are also committed to implement the reservation in the legislative assembly of Sikkim for Limboo and Tamang tribes.

2.”We are committed to work towards finding a permanent political solution to the issue of Darjeeling Hills, Siliguri Terai and Dooars region.”

No sooner had the Official BJP Election Manifesto got circulated in the media, it spread like a wildfire in social media circles here in Darjeeling as well.

The reactions came even faster, those with TMC started to decry the fact BJP Manifesto didn’t mention the word GORKHALAND in it.

Yes! That happened, TMC which is anti-Gorkhaland outraged against BJP not specifically mentioning the “G”word.

Here’s a fun game, if you want to know, which portals and newspapers are sympathetic to TMC (or being paid by them), it’s very easy, just check and see if they have uploaded something on these lines or not.

Reacting back, those supporting BJP question, “show me the GORKHA word, let alone Gorkhaland in TMC manifesto.”

Battle royale

It may be recalled that in the Hills, there is a tug of war between GJM Bimal faction and GJM Binay group. Perhaps it would rather be appropriate to call this a fight between TMC vs BJP. GJM (BT) representing TMC, as they have merged with TMC fielding former Darjeeling MLA Amar Singh Rai as TMC Lok Sabha candidate from Darjeeling Constituency, and GJM (BG) has fielded Raju Bista as BJP candidate in collaboration with GNLF and also CPRM.

The war is not just a tug-of-war but a fierce electoral battle going on, with both BJP and TMC desperately trying to win this strategically very important seat. While BJP wants to retain the seat after having their candidate represents Darjeeling for two consecutive terms, and TMC is desperate to complete their dominance of the hills by winning this ever-important election.

Until recently both the candidates of respective parties have left no stone unturned to assure the people here that they will fulfil their promises, and resolve the issues that Hills, Terai and Dooars people have time and again raised for many years.

Allegations and defense

Passing allegations and exchange of verbatim in defense is a natural phenomenon in politics.

Few days back in an all party meet in Mirik, BJP candidate Raju Bista was seen aggressive like never before in his campaigns. He asked his opponent Amar Rai as to “why he [Amar Rai] had failed to to address the Land Rights issue of Hills in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly while he was an MLA? How could he ask the same to PM Modi after being MP and why was he fooling the naive public when the Land Rights is in the jurisdiction of state not the centre?”

As his defense Amar Rai, though in mild tone, countered Raju Bista’s allegations by playing with his words. He defended himself to cover up his past lack of success and action by blaming Bimal Gurung and was seen repeating the same manifesto of 2016 Assembly Election. He spared time and space to laud the unauthentic and functionless (people are not happy to accept the Board) GTA President Binay Tamang praising his development works done so far.

Thing to note is TMC is in power in West Bengal for the last seven years and Mamata Banerjee has time and again shown her thumbs down when the issue of Land Rights and Gorkhaland is raised. She has also divided the Hills ethnic groups into 15 fragmented parts having their respective Development Boards.

Online democracy

Another important aspect of this electoral battle is people’s energetic participation.

Thanks to social media that from the layman to political observers, analysts, columnist and “keyboard warriors” are engaged and can be seen defending and siding with their respective parties and leaders in Facebook and Twitter. Some in Whatsapp groups exchange information and breaking news of the development on their side of the campaign. Who-said-what and who-is-losing in social media polls etc.

Also fumes of hot debate can be seen in the comment boxes of news portals and in some posts of personal views and opinion.

Memory of 2017 Gorkhaland movement

No matter who others may spin it, but the fact is people haven’t forgotten the blood soaked Gorkhaland movement of 2017 and up-rising that claimed 13-precious-lives two years back. The wound is still fresh. Hence, it wouldn’t be wrong to assert that this Lok Sabha Election is connected with people’s sentiments. The adversity and atrocities that people faced are reflected in their narratives and articulation they share on social media.

The movement that started with a flicker of fire of Linguistic Imperialism on the part of Imperialist Bengal government, was crushed violently and later transformed into a People’s movement.

The 105 days long shut down of Hills, internet ban and media clamp down and food supply blockade are still resurfacing in people’s mind till date.

Thus, people have this unhealed ache in hearts, even today when the blood drenched bodies of martyrs flash in their eyes, they say a silent prayer and wish for the end to TMC raj. The suffering, tear gas, and sound of gun shots are still traumatic to many.

However, despite having gone through the deadly ordeals of life some people have genuinely forgotten the bloodbath of yester years and chosen to side with draconian ruler, who has in an obvious political gimmick assured to resolve the identity crisis faced by the Gorkhas. I guess those who are swearing by her today, are not seeing the obvious joke in her statement. The same lady who labelled Gorkhas as terrorists. Irony is that some sections of the people are advocating and vouching for the same lady who unleashed a reign of terror in our hills.

People have already chosen their candidate

The hilarious jokes that went viral few days back in social media really brought smile in people’s sad face and some might have burst into a hearty laughter.

A fellow asked his friend which side he had decided to vote. His friend whispered into his ears, “From head to toe I am TMC, but only my thumb is BJP.”

The atmosphere of fear has clouded Hills and people are fear mongered in such a way that every one is reluctant to speak out in the open.

One more set of funny and viral joke doing the rounds is a silly mistake committed by a local news portal which is a testament to how messed up political scenario in the hills is. In their headlines they wrote, “Left Out Primary Volunteer Teachers Organization Extends Support To BJP Candidate-Amar Singh Rai.”

Even Amar Singh Rai must have laughed his lungs out or got raged with anger. Was that the sixth sense of a reporter in whose mind BJP’s name cropped up first? This shows that people have leaned towards BJP and its candidate might emerge victorious from Darjeeling.

War between morality and immorality

The day is so close for people to choose between morality and immorality. It’s on the 18th of April that people will make their choice, and this election is a war between morality and immorality.

The evils of Gorkhaland movement that traumatized people for two years, and the good that they want to see in tomorrow’s dawn with their self-respect intact and walking with their head held high without fear of intimidation is in one’s hand.

Every one has the right to vote the leader of their choice. It is a privilege given by the supreme law of our nation, and its time we use this right of ours to to defeat the power of bullet by the power of ballot.

Happy and peaceful voting!

The post BJP Election Manifesto – A Thunderbolt for Opposition in Darjeeling Hills? appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

I don’t think any Indian Gorkha has been as perturbed by this question as I had been, when I had just started my new job at a distant foreign land. Till today, this is a question that leaves me feeling agitated and restless.

Back in the day, my pressure would shoot up and I would become indignant. But then again, I would calm myself down, attributing the question to the lack of knowledge and ignorance of the one asking it.

Where I work, you will find people from all the continents across the globe, so naturally we would end up speaking to one another, and on a regular basis I would end up feeling humiliated with such questions, and even today, I feel the same. But these days, I guess, I am used to such questions and innuendoes; I have become immune to them. I don’t feel angry anymore, but the hurt remains.

“No, I am from India,’ my answer would often leave then astounded, flabbergasted even, and a series of questions would follow.

“India, which place?”

“Darjeeling”

“Wow!  Darjeeling? Beautiful place… Darjeeling Team Toy Train, Cold Weather… right?” they would gush.

I used to feel so proud when that happened. Darjeeling in geographical extent is tiny, perhaps a of a size of millet when you compare with the rest of the world, but the name recognition, and instant connect to the place that others felt, always left me feeling a little happy, and a lot proud.

But not all people are the same. Some would pounce at me with sharp hurtful questions, “why are you lying?” they would inquire. Whenever that happened, I used to feel tempted to shove my passport down their throat, till they digested the fact, I was an Indian. Whenever people looked at me with suspicion, when I proudly declared “I am an Indian”, thousand questions would rankle my mind, and I used to wonder, when will these ignorant lot realize that, in a country that takes pride in our “unity in diversity, can’t one of those diverse race of people be Gorkhalis? Should all people with squinty eyes always belong to Nepal, Korea, China, Japan?”

The irony of it all is that, more often than not when I said or say “I am an Indian,” those doubting me are from India. It always left and still leaves me feeling like someone has pierced my heart with a needle.

The Questions that rankle me

World famous Darjeeling tea, World Heritage Darjeeling Toy Train, and the pleasant weather, people knew all this, what they didn’t know was that in the Northern most part of West Bengal in India, was where the home for the Gorkhas. Their ignorance would leave me flummoxed. But more than questioning them, I would end up questioning myself –

1. Why do people always question the nationality of Gorkhas who are spread all across India?
2. Though states in India are formed on linguistic basis, why was a state for Gorkhas never formed?
3. Has the contributions and sacrifices made by Gorkha to protect mother India gone unacknowledged?
4. Has there been no account or acknowledgement of Gorkhas in nation building till date?
5. Have the Gorkhas not contributed towards unity, fraternity and national unanimity of mother India?
6. Are there no capable, educated, qualified Gorkhas who can represent our community at a national level and represent a national party?
7. Are Gorkhas still bereft of intellectualism, because of which we are still struggling?
8. Are Gorkhas still inept at organizing and governing ourselves?
9. Has our community not been able to produce a learned, capable and sincere leader? Or is it that despite having capable leaders we have always allowed hypocrites to take over?
10. Are we intellectually and educationally backward?
11. Is our educational system unpractical?
12. Are we lacking in basic political knowledge? Are we unaware of our basic rights and duties?
13. Will we continue being happy being labelled as ‘braves’, instead of being called wise?
14. Are our youths passive and unambitious? Or is it that they lack role models they can emulate?
15. What are the reasons for our youths migrating to bigger cities?
16. Will our people in rural areas, especially those in tea gardens, always have to continue living their lives in abject poverty? Are there no long-term solutions or remedies?
17. Till when will our families living in tea gardens continue to live a life of poverty and starvation?
18. Till when will our people have to rush to pluck tea leaves at the stroke of sunlight, irrespective of rain and snowfall?
19. Will the dreams and aspirations of our people ever get fulfilled?
20. Will our children ever get to live a life of equal, just and prosperous life like that of our fellow citizens?

So on and so forth, I am left with a million more questions, so many, that they may never get answered.

Century Old Aspirations

Since 1907 the demand for a homeland for the Gorkhas – “Gorkhaland” has remained unfulfilled for over a century, all that our fellow citizens have done is extend their sympathies, their support has always been lacking.

We have witnessed numerous ups and downs, highs and lows in our national politics, but the sorry condition of Gorkhas in India seems to have remained steady – uncared for and ignored. With changing times, our people may have changed their lifestyle but the mentality of our community to bow down to the “Masters” of the day, and doing their bidding has sadly remained unchanged. Our identity as a community, our diversity, and our culture remains more or less hidden from rest of our fellow citizens. You won’t find anything about our community in the school textbooks, I am not even sure if anyone has ever attempted to have our community, our culture, our geography, our food habits, or the leading lights of our society featured in school curriculums? In the world’s largest democracy India, which is also ethno-culturally the most diverse, however, we get to read about almost all other people, culture, their living style, their food habit and their proud ancestors, in plenty.

Generations of Gorkhas have awaited the day when we will all get to walk with our heads held high, but that’s all we have done – await. Our attitude has always been “ए भैहाल्छ जीन्दगी चलीरहेको छ – never mind, life is going on.” We do not even have the insight to reflect on the fact that our attitude has forced us to live life like that of a caged parrot. Let’s not even talk about ‘consciousness’- that’s foreign to our community, we don’t have one.

The Borders Crossed Us

The Gorkhas have been living in these lands centuries before the Sugauli Treaty of 1816 between the British and Nepal. The fact that we didn’t cross the border, but the border crossed us in known to one and all. Yet, those in power and rest of the nation have hypocritically time and again labelled us ‘immigrants’. They have turned deaf to all our sufferings.

I wonder what gives the politicians of all hue and colour to label us the way they please. A woman who is trying to win the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat labelled us as ‘terrorist’, yet today our people have turned out in large number to celebrate a candidate she sent. The audacity of a sitting MP who was elected on Gorkha votes calls our politicians, demanding a local candidate, as being from “Nepal”, leaves us numb with rage. Yes, our socio-cultural roots are in Nepal, and we share the same blood, but like I have said earlier, we didn’t cross the border, the border crossed us. We became Indian, no one bothered to ask us where we want to belong. We are as Indian as the Prime Minister of our great nation, but sadly, we are always seen through a lens clouded by racism, we are belittled and humiliated time and again. Come elections, everyone and their grandmother remember us, and seduce us to vote for them. Are we merely a vote bank?

Is our identity secured by our votes?

Never, had it been the case, our Gorkha brothers and sisters across India wouldn’t have to suffer racism in our nation. Our squinty eyes wouldn’t evoke the label of “Chinese”. Our daughters wouldn’t be perceived as ‘easy women’. We wouldn’t be questioned time and again if we are Indian or not?

As long as we remain a part of West Bengal, as long as our history, culture, language, and heritage remains suppressed, we will always continue to be questioned. I strongly feel that our identity as Indians will be cemented firmly only on the day when we have a state called ‘Gorkhaland’. Till then, all the documents that the government has provided us, as proof of our Indianness won’t have any significance.

‘Identity’ vs ‘Development’

Another thing, that has alarmed me is our Gorkha ‘Intellectuals’ and ‘Think Tanks’ say there is no difference between our ‘Identity Crisis’ and ‘Development’. They say if the hills develop, our community will gain ‘identity’ naturally. May be this is why, smart public, following the advice of smart intellectuals are busy accepting various ‘development boards’. Our intellectuals and politicians convinced Bengal what we need is ‘development’ and not securing our ‘identity,’ Bengal obliged happily, now every community has a development board of their own. Tragically, we have remained underdeveloped and we still suffer from ‘identity’ crisis.

There are hundreds of various tribes and sub-casts among Bengali community, Mamata has never bothered to give any development board to them. Why is she only forming these so called ‘development board’ for our hill people alone? The answer will be obvious to all. But have we ever bothered to question ourselves, or reflect on it?

Development Boards, GTA and other such bodies are all meant to bury the demand for Gorkhaland state, and everyone who run these development boards are aware of that, but their hypocrisy and greed doesn’t permit them to speak. They are walking on the ashes of our self-respect and our united ‘identity’ as Gorkhas. I agree, each sub-tribe should protect their culture, but building caste-specific community halls, and roads and jhora – will these funds provided by Bengal be enough to secure the future of our coming generations?

The Forgotten Youths

Shouldn’t our collective focus be on generating employment opportunities, so that our youths won’t have to leave our hills and migrate to bigger cities? Youths are the forbearers of the future of a community, yet due to massive youth migration, our community has its spine broken, we have become a disabled community that cannot stand on its two feet. Yet, no one – politicians, intellectuals, common folks have bothered to think about it.

With folded hands, I request one and all, please do not think that these semi-autonomous administrative bodies like GTA, or Development Boards are going to secure ‘The Lost Gorkha Identity’. Our identity will only be secured on the day our century old demand for a separate state called Gorkhaland is fulfilled.

A Scary Future

If we compromise today, thousands of Gorkha youths like me will be asked, not only in distant foreign lands, but also in our own country, “are you from Nepal”. They will always be looked upon with suspicion, and they will continue to be discriminated against.

Deprived of our existence and identity, our future generations will be forced to remain a second class citizen, who may fell cursed being born a Gorkha. They won’t have any option, other than internalize these humiliations, and we as their elders won’t have anything to bequest them, other than the sorry stories about how our people didn’t grow spine when we needed to, and how we sacrificed our ‘identity’ for a few pieces of silver.

It’s still not too late.

जाग!! Wake Up Gorkhas!!

The post The Lost Gorkha Identity – Misfortune or Malice? appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Talking about bumptious CMs, anyone visited Noida would not have failed (or failed) to notice the massive Dalit Park, sorry, Dalit Prerna Sthal along the Expressway. It has lots of statues of elephants and a large domed temple –like structure. Mayawati, during her tenure as CM of UP (2007-2012) had usurped this stretch of 80 odd acres prime land and built it quickly before she was out. Now the fun is, inside are statues of herself with her signature handbag, mentor Kansiram and also a bronze mural of her parents and siblings (they are six in number), all heralded by twenty-four 18-foot high statues of sandstone elephants! For this grand self-promotion she had gleefully dipped her hands into state funds allegedly spending Rs 2000 crores. Now why elephants? The pachyderm is her party symbol. Now ten years later, based on a PIL filed in 2009, the Supreme Court has asked her to refund the money. The bench observes “Madam Mayawati, reimbursement to the exchequer public money you spent on the elephants…. pay the public money from your pocket.” Mayawati has defended by saying that the park makes money as a tourist attraction, and, hold your breath; the trunks of the Park elephants go up while her party symbol elephant has its trunk down.  Trunk up or trunk down, does it make any sense?

Talking about elephants, it seems Didi B prides in having no less a memory. After being attacked by Congress and Left over the chit fund scam at the concluding day of the Lok Sabha winter session, she was very upset. Sonia Gandhi’s attempts to pacify her, was received with “I will remember”.

Meanwhile her paintings are still being discussed. Not for any brilliant brush strokes but as means to launder pots of money.

The Chowkidars are very annoyed. Rahul Gandhi’s crowd-rousing slogan of ‘Chowkidar Chor Hai, Chowkidar Chor Hai’’ at Lucknow, they say, has brought about a bad name to their profession. But Rahul being Rahul, on the contrary insists that Modiji has brought a bad name to Chowkidars.  All goes back to 2013, when Modi at a rally in Jhansi had said not to make him a Prime Minister but the Chowkidar of the nation. Many have forgotten this but Rahul Baba in a repeat loop continues with his ‘Gali gali main shor hai, Chowkidar chor hain’. Logorrhoea or Palilalia or compulsive OCD? Psychology students can help me this one.

Terrorism raised its head again on the afternoon of 14 February at Pulwama district, just about 30 odd km from Srinagar.  Forty-two of our CRPF jawans lost their lives, when the bus they were travelling in, was rammed in by a suicide bomber driving a Maruti Eeco packed with about 350 kg of explosives! The terrorism act considered to be the worst ever, has been claimed by the Jaish-e-Mohammed. This terrorist group was dealt with strongly by our Army with the 2016 Uri Surgical strike. But like a multi-headed Hydra, the JeM seems to have developed a new head again — this time using a local Kashmiri youth as their sacrificial lamb.  Just read into the psyche of the twenty-year suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar who delivered the dastardly attack. Videos reportedly released show him with a display of firearms against the JeM banner. In the recording he claims that by the time the videos reaches, he would be enjoying in heaven…asking his family and friends to celebrate his martyrdom for Islam…urging women to wear veils and boys not fall in love.

In the wake of the attack, several across the country have been arrested for posting anti-national comments on the social media. All you finger-happy key tappers, it is easy to post from outside and add fuel to the fire of terrorism. Kindly use your common sense against the propaganda of separatist anti-Indian security forces organisations such as the Hurriyat. Firstly and lastly, terrorism is not justified. While for Kashmiri Muslim students who have complaints of being harassed a helpline number has been provided. The last seventy-odd years has left deep emotional scars on the Kashmiri people and also heavy loss of Indian Security forces. Let us support them to bring peace and order in the state.

I close this week with a salute to Indian Army Major Chitresh Kumar Bisht who lost his life yesterday when a landline exploded along the Line of Control in J&K. Keep on our brave Army. We are with you.

The post “I Will Remember” – The Week that was appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

As for some peoples’ choice of Didi B as next Prime Minister, think again. Her Shonar Bengal has beaten all states to become national No 1. Before the Bengal chests puff with pride and start singing sonatas, read further. No, my dears, not in porivartan, but No 1 in child marriages of minor girls! Beating Rajasthan and Bihar, traditionally associated with this nefarious practice. As per the findings of the National Family Health Survey-4 (NHS4) District-level analysis, Murshidabad stood highest in the country at 39.9% child marriages! My heart bleeds for these teenagers forced into early adult life with early pregnancies and all. All you Kolkata-centric intellectuals please lend your mind and voice to Murshidabad. You are generally quick to wax eloquent on every topic under the sun outside, but mum about Bengal.

Chins up for Kangana Ranaut! She is fighting against all her opponents as Jhansi Ki Rani herself. If the film was a flop they would have said she had directed it. Now that it is a super hit many are trying to get publicity with all the media bytes that they can gather. Good she removed Sonu Sood when she did. He appears in every film as the villain with bulging biceps and triceps who gets beaten up royally by the hero in the end. With the film Simba running parallel in theatres, the character of Sadashiv Rao (which Sonu was to play) in JKR would have looked like the same half-naked fool Durwa Ranade of Simba. As for Mishti from Garia, Kolkata, dear girl, the mishti doi from Bengal is more famous than you are. Beware of sour curd, sorry sour grapes. Pooja Bhatt, if you remember her, also pitched into the fray saying this was not the industry she was born in. Nepotism is not in these days, Ms Bhatt and do not teach your little half-sister Alia all these bad things. It appears that Kangana took risky decisions and completed the film (as the director had gone back south), so she deserves to be number one in the credits.

The post Didi B Makes National Headlines appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.