BEACON ONLINE REQUESTED TO RALLY INTERNATIONAL BENGALI COMMUNITY IN THE FAVOUR OF GORKHALAND

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By Barun Roy

Dr. Sudip Ghosh, Professor Emeritus, South Carolina, USA has called for all parties in West Bengal to refrain from converting the Gorkhaland Movement into a communal affair. Dr. Ghosh in an interaction with Beacon Online said, “Bengalese all over the world have had a soft corner for Darjeeling Hills and are essentially lovers of the land, people and culture. To portray the fact that Bengalese own Darjeeling Hills is absurd to say the least. It is high time that Gorkhas who predominate in the Hills be given the Right to Self Determination.” Asked about the steps taken by the CPIM lead West Bengal Government, he said, “Buddhadev Bhattacharya must initiate dialogue with the GJM leaders but before that he must give up his ‘Bengal owns Darjeeling Hills’ perspective. In modern day democracy, Colonial attitudes must be shed. CPIM has failed in Nandigram and its policies should not lead to another Nandigram in the tranquil hills of Darjeeling. What is happening in the Dooars Terai is sad. People of both races, Bengalese, Nepalese and Kamtapuris who have lived peacefully for years should not be pitched against each other in armed struggles. The Communist Government at Kolkata might feel that this will weaken the Gorkhaland Movement, yet in reality it will instead break the very fabric of Bengal and indeed the whole of North East. I request all involved including the GJM leadership to calm the people, resolve immediate animosity and concentrate on negotiating with the Union Government at New Delhi. I request Beacon Online to rally Bengalese nationally and internationally for the peaceful resolution of the issue of Gorkhaland. Bengal must learn to live without Darjeeling Hills. Darjeeling Hills can still be the crown of Bengal as Gorkhaland. I have always been in favour of smaller, more compact and manageable states; with the General Election coming, a unified national movement for smaller states should become a national issue for all parties, regionally and nationally.”

When asked about Municipal and Hills Affairs Minister, Asok Bhattacharya’s remark that Gorkhas should not be allowed to hold political meetings in the plains, he said, “It is absolutely absurd. How can a Minister make such a statement? Indian citizens whether Bengali, Punjabi, Tamil or Gorkhas, have Constitutional right to hold peaceful political meetings and rallies any where in the nation. They can do so in New Delhi, Chennai or Siliguri and if they want in the middle of the Thar Desert. Asok Bhattacharya’s statement is irresponsible and uncalled for. He is unnecessarily indulging in communalizing a peaceful movement. I am surprised that none of the Gorkhas challenged him in the Court of Law.” Asked about the way the Gorkhaland Movement should be conducted, he said, “I cannot exactly lay down the details but I can say this – GJM and Bimal Gurung must win sympathy for Gorkhaland from people nationally and internationally. And it cannot be done by throwing out the tourists. Remember the best ambassadors for Gorkhaland would be the tourists who return from Darjeeling Hills with sweet memory and sympathy for the people there. Everything that has thus far come out in the global media have been the hardships suffered by the tourists. This is not the right move. The CPIM Government in Kolkata which lead to politically inspired massacres in Nandigram will not be easily dislodged. A continuous unreeling international movement must be engaged upon, using the media as the tool. And this can only be achieved with the unification of all statehood movements in India. The Gorkhas must work closely with leaders like Chandrasekhar Rao in Hyderabad. A national level smaller states movement must be initiated and brought to its peak before the next General Elections. Gorkhaland, Telangana, Oudh, Cooch Behar, Kamtapur and the rest must be in the agenda of all national parties. That is the only way out.”

When inquired about the role of the media he said, “Sadly, media has been mostly negative though I really can’t point out why. Indian media have generally been sensational seeking business enterprises. National dailies have been known to attest to communal headlines sensationalizing its news – A Nepali Servant kills – where A Servant Kills would have suffice. A Bengali or Tamil Servant killing would never attract - ‘A Bengali Servant kills’ or ‘A Tamil Servant kills headline’ – this clearly shows the bias in the media. There has been uncalled for editorialized slanting in the news and headlines of all dailies including the major ones published from Kolkata and Siliguri – CPIM cadres have been declared locals while GJM supporters outsiders. I was informed by one Mr. Samuel Ghosh who was in Darjeeling during the turmoil that the GJM supporters and the local people assisted in his departure and offered him food and snacks all the while offering a Khada while he departed. A Gorkha gentleman in fact, is said to have walked towards him and apologized for the inconveniences. These things were never reported all the while we have witnessed photos of GJM supporters distributing biscuits and tea to travelers, as posted on your blog – and evidentially conspicuous, strange though that no other paper carried it. Media must not be biased on either side. This is vital in the preservation of democracy and civilization itself. I hope that common sense prevails amongst both the leaders of CPIM and GJM.”

Prof Sudip Ghosh is one of the most respected Indologist in the world. Associated with Universities like Santiniketan, Calcutta University, UCLA, WMU, Prof Ghosh has numerous publications to his name. He is a frequent visitor of Darjeeling Hills and lover of the native culture and people.