Apolitical body criticises state govt
Posted by barunroy on May 14, 2008
SILIGURI, May 13: Jana Jagaran Mancha, a recently formed apolitical organisation principally consisting of noted academicians of the region, has strongly criticized the state administration for indulging for years massive infiltration from Nepal into several areas of Siliguri and adjoining Naxalbari and Bagdogra areas.
Prof Haren Ghosh, an eminent academician and a senior functionary of JJM alleged today that though since 1988 the state government was being warned of the development it had done nothing to control the infiltration. “Taking advantage of the 1950 Indo-Nepal friendship treaty the Nepali influx into Siliguri and its adjoining areas has been continuing unabated for years. Champasari, Hyderpara and Salugara are fast becoming Nepali majority areas and this development may prove ominous for the territorial unity of West Bengal in near future,” Mr Ghosh warned.
” A delegation of distinguished academicians from Siliguri met the then chief minister Mr Jyoti Basu in 1988 and appealed to him to look into the matter. Mr Basu seemed worried and assured them that he would take up the matter with the Centre. Yet, nothing has happened while the Nepali population keeps growing alarmingly in several areas of the city and its adjoining areas like Naxalbari and Bagdogra,” the noted academician lamented.
Mr Asoke Hore, the secretary of the Jana Jagaran Mancha said that a signature campaign was going on in Siliguri to ventilate the common people’s opposition to the state bifurcation demand being raised by the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha. “The campaign began yesterday and on the first day around 5000 people including some Nepalis spontaneously registered their signatures. We on behalf of our organisation would oppose any attempt to disturb the hoary harmony between the Hill and the plains”, Mr Hore asserted. [The Statesman]
May 14, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Haren Ghosh,it’s a pity when milkmen turn intellectuals they can’t balance their life between academics and politics and their love for their motherland …Bangladesh,you talk about Nepali infiltrators from Nepal,what about the Bangladeshis in India,they are a big nuisance to our country,look what you Bangladeshi did in Jaipur yesterday killing innocent people,you ungratefull people who stab people in the back the moment you get an opportunity,don’t you have shame to say Siliguri is being over run by Nepalis,Siliguri is ours and only ours,kindly stick to your teaching and stay away from politics you chicken hearted Bangladeshi,go back to where you all belong……Bangladesh,and Asoke Hore,the pronounciation of your last name is self explanatory.
May 14, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Prof Haren Ghosh,
I’m bewildered by your ideas of Siliguri and its adjoining areas being dominated by infiltrators from Nepal taking advantage of the Indo Nepal Treaty of 1950.
Please read a little bit of History of the Formation of the District of Darjeeling in Brief. “In 1835, Sikkim had its territories bordering Purnea in the South with River Mechi in the West and River Teesta in the East which included all of Siliguri. The Darjeeling Tract ( South of Great Rungeet River, East of Balasun, Kahail and Little Rungeet Rivers and West of Rungpo and Mahanuddi Rivers ) was ceded to the British on the 01st of February 1835 by the Raja of Sikkim. Then in 1846, the Sikkim Terai ( ruled by Nepal prior to the Treaty of Segowlee dated 04.03.1816 ) was annexed by the British and finally in 1850, the area bounded by the Rammam in the North, Rungeet and Teesta on the East, Mechi River in the West (Nepal Border) upto the British Districts of Purnea and Jalpaiguri was incorporated into the British Territory. The Treaty of Sinchula dated 11.11.1865 ceded the ‘ whole tract known as the Eighteen Duars bordering the Districts of Rungpoor, Cooch Behar and Assam together with the Talook of Ambaree Fallacottah ( annexed on 09.06.1864 ) and the Hill Territory on the left bank of the Teesta ‘ by the Bhutan Government to the British Government for ever. This was the manner in which the District of Darjeeling came into being”.
I do not know your academic background but having the title of Proffessor is not a small thing but your comment does not justify your carrying the Title. If you think that you deserve it by virtue of your studies, I have nothing to say but if you are a Scholar then I don’t expect a biased judgement from you.
If infiltration from Nepal concerns you in an area that once belonged to Nepal and subsequently Sikkim and later British India and Independent India which was dominated by the Hill Tribes, how do you explain the Demographic Changes that have taken place in about half a century? Population Statistics during British Rule does not mention even a single Bengali soul in this region - then wherefrom do you say that the Bengalis are being outnumbered? It is the Bengali Infiltrators ( Bangladeshi )who are imigrating from impoverished areas of Bangladesh who start life as ragpickers and with the help of the Powerful Brethren that rule today become Indian Citizens and crowd the once Nepali Dominated areas forcing the Original Inhabitants to oblivion. Did you not read the article in The Telegraph last month that all areas adjoining Bangladesh have been outnumbered by Muslims ( Bangladeshi again )? If you are unable to react to that then you yourself also must be from the other side of the fence - inviting all your folks to come to the Land of Plenty and Freedom.
With all dignity and respect, I urge you to maintain a balance in your views. Emotions should not sweep you to make wayward comments. Please read the History of Darjeeling, the Suffering of the Inhabitants there (Gorkhas as well as Non-Gorkhas), the Suppression and Oppression by various and successive Governments, the Exploitation of the Sentiments and their Weaknesses (Hospitality) and so on. Visit Darjeeling and her surrounding areas, meet the people there, share conversations with the residents (including Bengalis) and then you may come to an understanding of the Ground Reality.
Hope you will accept my suggestions.
Dinesh.
May 15, 2008 at 12:34 am
Yes all should get a fair chance.
Once ragpickers is ruling all this time
Now it time for CHOWKIDAARs to be rulers.
May 15, 2008 at 5:32 am
Himesh what category do you come under……..ragpickers or chowkidars?
May 15, 2008 at 9:16 am
*
May 15, 2008 at 9:53 am
Even if Nepalis call Hindu Bengalis Bangladeshis, it is not going to return Siliguri to Sikkim or Nepal or whatever or change the borders drawn up in 1947. Bengalis are ready to fight to the last man if Siliguri becomes part of Gorkhaland.
May 15, 2008 at 10:10 am
I propose Gorkhland name sud be changed with ####### LAND
May 15, 2008 at 10:37 am
Chowkidars will at least guard the country. What can you do?
May 15, 2008 at 11:59 am
So, CHOWKIDARs are guarding country!
So bad situation for India.
They will hurl sticks as missiles !!
May 15, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Hey! where’s the question of Gorkhaland being demanded for Nepal or Sikkim arise?? See don’t believe what your leaders say.. the point is that Siliguri will gain a lot by being part of Gorkhaland.. it’s not about Gorkhalis coming and taking away Siliguri adn throwing other people out.. It’s about the development and economic benefit of Darjeeling.. Siliguri and Doors as a whole… Once Siliguri becomes the part of Gorkhaland your earning opportunities wil improve much more than what’s there right now??? Maheshwar Bhai Tumi bolo.. Aamder Koto Jon Cheeley - Myei ra Chakri Paayei??? Bangal (aar Bangali noi..) aamar jonno ki korey chey?? 25 bacchorey Ashok Bandopadhyay Minister hoey ki Korechey Siligurir Jonno??? Ekta Over Bridge?? Bhai Ekhaney Kotha Bengali-Nepali’r nai.. ekhaney kotha hocchey Development vs stagnation… progress vs regression.. Bengali-Nepali Bhai-Bhai.. Aamra Saaboi Gorkhaland Chhai…
May 15, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Himesh.. there’s nothing in a name.. call a rose by any other name it smells equally good and looks equally fine… call whatever you will.. we want separation from Bengal and you all being from Siliguri should support it.. as you all will be gaining the most… please think and don’t be used by CPI(M) leaders who only look after themselves…
May 15, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Upendra Dada, apnar Ghising babu’o chance peyechilo. kuri bochor dhore loot-paat kore sob kheyenilo. Ekhon toh apnara Ghising babu ke bhulei jete chaichen - kintu eto ki shohoj? Nepali community te onek ghising acche..chance peleyi beriye aasbe.
Aar seperate state jodi chaichen sobar jonne, naam ta gorkhaland keno - like Nagaland?
May 15, 2008 at 3:42 pm
WELL SAID MAHESWAR
May 15, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Maheshwar do you have the guts to fight for Siliguri to the last?
May 15, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Hey You Guys ‘n’ Gals,
This is an open forum for discussion, not one for spilling your bitterness and anger. Come on Be A Sport. Discuss topics on an Intellectual Footing. Come out with Ideas and Facts not Whimsical things boiling with Emotions. The Demand for a Separate State of Gorkhaland is not for the Gorkhas alone - It is for All Communities including Bengalis, to begin Life sans Suppression and Oppression, a Life of New Opportunities and the Freedom to Dream without Blinkers.
It is Time for All to Come Together with Positive Ideas to Fight for Liberation. So Kindly Demonstrate that You Have the Potential to Lead A New Society that will be Secular, Progressive and Constructive with Immense Communal Harmony. Let us Show that we have the Capacity of Leading This Generation to New Heights of Development and Progress.
Dinesh