ROY’S MUSINGS: Indefinite strikes are destructive and counter productive

THE HIMALAYAN BEACON [BEACON ONLINE] EXCLUSIVE

BY BARUN ROY

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s declaration of indefinite strike from 13th of July has left Darjeeling Hills and Dooars Terai in great turmoil. Tourists have once again been forced to leave in the midst of their vacations. Those who had intended to stay have also left wondering whether they would ever want to return back again. Hotels are facing cancellations and transportation services have begun to feel the pang of yet another closure. Parents whose children study in Darjeeling Hills have  begun to debate whether they should at all, send back their wards to study in Darjeeling Hills. In short, Darjeeling Hills’ entire economy has been laid down under the guillotine. True, the police may have excessively used violence against Gorkha Janmukti Morcha cadres and injured the party Vice President. True, the West Bengal Government and local administration may be giving covert and overt support to the remnants of Gorkha National Liberation Front and to an extent even trying to revitalize it by offering financial and logistic support, still it does not deserve a call for an indefinite strike.

Indefinite strikes are not just primitive instruments of political agitation but destructive and often counter-productive. Darjeeling Hills today stand on the verge of economic collapse. The tea and tourism industry depends on a peaceful environment. Darjeeling Hills receives tourists from not just all the states of the nation but also from different parts of the world. These tourists can be Gorkhaland’s best ambassadors. However, by harassing or forcing them to leave, we are probably antagonizing the few people who could champion our cause. The entrapment of Sikkim and the virtual detachment of the state from the rest of the country have begun to antagonize Sikkimese people who are losing valuable business at the peak of their tourist season. The constant detachment of its borders with the rest of the nation has further jeopardized its industrial functioning. Sikkim is the only state in the nation which openly supports the formation of the state of Gorkhaland – harassing it constantly may only lead to a loss of a friend and an ardent supporter to the cause.

The first flush was not particularly good this year. The weak monsoon has further hampered the second flush. Workers employed by tea industry survive on a meagre Rs. 65 paid on a daily basis. Their employment being guaranteed only during the tea season. if at all Darjeeling Hills is to fall under the purview of an indefinite strike, these workers would be forced to forfeit their employment and as such find job elsewhere leading to mass migration and disenchantment. This is exclusive of the disaster that would hit the tea industry having a catastrophic ripple effect on the economy of the hills and Dooars Terai. Major tea companies are already looking for tea estates in South India and Kenya disillusioned by the civil unrest in Darjeeling Hills, Assam and the entire North East.

Darjeeling alone accounts for 750 registered hotels both big and small. These hotels depend on seasonal tourists. Though most of these hotels are owned and operated by people outside Darjeeling Hills, these hotels offer both direct and indirect employment to more than 50,000 people. Further, the notion of Darjeeling being a tourist destination filled with renowned educational institutions attracts students from all over the nation and indeed a few neighbouring countries. A dedicated vision and work towards the same could convert Darjeeling Hills into an educational haven for North East and indeed the entire nation. However, the frequent call for indefinite closures has led to many questioning the advancement of education in the hills. As such it might not be long for towns like Darjeeling and Kurseong to lose massively from the pullout of students from the rest of the nation. Town like Kurseong, whose economy is in great part based on the educational institutions would have great to lose. These loses would further take a long time and a hard work to redeem.

It is high time then that all political parties come out with a progressive and a clear vision towards Gorkhaland. Indefinite strike must for once and all be disowned as primitive, counter-productive and destructive means of agitation. Everyone favours the right to self determination as enshrined in our Constitution. And the demand for Gorkhaland surely stands for that right to self determination. However, the means and ways employed by our leaders to strive towards that cherished goal leaves much to be desired. I cannot say how the movement should be led forward. All I request is that it be progressive, affirmative, transparent and all inclusive.  Indefinite strikes would only break our bones – destroy years of our hard work. Force manyto severe plight and personal tragedy.

I resent the Goverment acting hastily and unleashing violence upon its own citizens. I also reasent that the leaders and the cadres being injured. My prayers are with their families. I will strive to do what I can to come to their aid. I am deeply concerned by the politics of divide and rule being employed by certain leaders in power both at Kolkata and Siliguri. They have been trying to divide the people by giving overt and covert support to Gorkha National Liberation Front. However, I would like to question all concerned that if they strive to champion the cause of the people at large why is there such a bad breathe amongst them – if Communist Party of India Marxist led Government in Bengal feels for the people of Darjeeling Hills – Gorkhas and non Gorkhas alike, they should let Darjeeling Hills go and allow the formation of Gorkhaland. At the same instance, leaders and political parties in Darjeeling Hills and Dooars Terai, whoever and whichever they might be, if they stand for the betterment of the people of the Hills and Dooars Terai, they should probably work towards it. Gorkhaland can be achieved by educating leaders and people all over the nation – the nation at a whole must be made to understand that smaller and more effective states are the future of the nation. All people must let go of their racial, religious or regional egos and come together to work as a unified and a progressive people. Only then will the ideals enshrined in the Constitution of our nation be fulfilled. All man and woman must be given equal opportunity to progress – no one whether the Government at the New Delhi, state Capital or any party at local level must be allowed to infringe upon this Right!

God, our Lord be with us all. Let there be clarity in our vision, transperancy in a our dealings, honesty in our desires and faith in our heart.