Politics of Emotions: A Requisite in Darjeeling Hills

Politics of Emotions: A Requisite in Darjeeling Hills

There is a video clip making round in WhatsApp, since a few days, which proclaims that the people of Darjeeling has been afflicted with politics which is not just wrong but also crude and dominating. It further urges the people of the hills to show their angst and defiance to such politics and assemble at Mela Ground, Kalimpong, on the 27th of January. It sustains its vitriolic attack on the politics of Darjeeling by pronouncing that we should stand up and support the politics propounded by the so called 'bidwans' (intellectuals) and give up the politics of emotions.

Yes, the basis of our political solidarity has been the politics of emotion. The politics in Darjeeling will become devoid of any substance and essence if this content of emotion is substituted by any other agenda. One of the leaders of this 'bidwan' group, Dr. H B Chettri recently reiterated that we should not be reacting to those who ask if we are going to Kakarivitta?. But let me remind him, will he be able to remain in inertia when he will be asked to go to Nepal because that is his home and country, which has been done time and again to many Gorkha, by some anti social and anti national elements belonging to different groups of the plains. The leaders of this group as well as those who are following this line of politics is in a state of false consciousness. They have a long way to understand the reality and the concerns of the people. If such is the case then in corollary it follows that their politics will not be of any benefit for the people of Darjeeling and its periphery. And there is no need to validate this statement as it is already there for everyone to perceive and experience. However, let me substantiate with some examples. He 'demanded'  (or was it a reward for his loyalty) for the district of Kalimpong in lieu of Gorkhaland, when the entire Gorkha population of the country is waiting for the creation of Gorkhaland to solve the numerous problems confronted everyday due to the issue of identity. Will Kalimpong as a district solve our identity problem? Will it help all those Gorkha living in minority in many parts of the country? It will definitely not. The able leader says that we should not indulge in politics of emotions and Gorkhaland is not the solution to our problems. Then let me ask him what is the solution to the concerns and problems we have or will Kalimpong as a district solve all the problems of Gorkhas? Gorkhaland is pertinent to all the Gorkhas, irrespective of their residence in any part of India. These leaders and their followers have understood the demand for Gorkhaland and the politics of GJM from very narrow spectrum. Gorkhaland means the well being of all the Gorkha in India.  

Secondly, the leader has been, lately, a vocal proponent of the policies advocated by the Government of West Bengal, and particularly by Ms Mamata Banerjee. Since the early 19th century we have raised the issue of being different from those of West Bengal on account of distinct linguistic and cultural heritage. Now, because his personal motives are being fulfilled, which the Bhutan Refugees issue could not do, does he want us to forget the historical legacy of our movement and support him, or should I say Mamata Banerjee. How can this be possible? Can the rational thinking people of the hills overturn the centuries of discrimination and exploitation faced at the hands of the successive governments of West Bengal and support such leaders who are literates but insensitive towards the wants and desires of the people. For once that the subsequent political parties have failed to fulfil the aspiration of the people but they did not give up the issue of Gorkhaland. This is where the support of the masses evolve from and if they understand this the earlier the better.

Let me question these makers of the video chip who are these 'bidwans'? Calling such opportunists  a 'bidwan' is a regressive way of looking and doing things and also it shows apathy on the part of these people towards the progress the community has made. There are many doctorate degree holders in our society, along with Professors and other professionals in the society. Please look around and you will find plenty of such people around you. Therefore the question of being bidwan or being led by bidwan does not arise. What is required is sincerity to uphold our century old movement and struggle. It is a different issue whether or not we achieve our goal, some earning and some not earning, but to completely give up the issue is to betray the people and the place. Do we want ourselves to be led by such people who have let us down?

If we want to be led by 'bidwans' then why would we chose such 'bidwans' who have not contributed in the advancement of knowledge, through which a bidwan is known, be it social, scientific, political or any form of knowledge. If you have to follow a 'bidwan' then i urge the people to follow other parties which have greater 'bidwans' than these unsuccessful people who are only trying to make use of the situation and fool us more. The adage goes aim for the stars and you will land in the trees.    So the people, those who want to be led by 'bidwans' and not by the demand for Gorkhaland should look up to parties like the Congress and BJP who are full of 'bidwans' and not up to those 'bidwan leaders' of the hills who have in regular intervals let the common people down due to their selfish motives.

It has become clearer that these 'bidwans' and their platoon wanted the people to be present at Mela Ground to witness a birth of a political party, a B-team of 'Team Mamata', the Jan Andolan Party. Jan Andolan translates into public revolution, so the question is why do you need a separate revolution when there is one already going on. And if we are not to do the politics of emotion, then why do the peace loving people of the hills need a revolution. The people of the hills are sober, honest, loyal and peace loving, therefore we do not need a revolution to fulfil external design of the Bengal Government through the newly formed Jan Andolan Party. But since the leaders are hand in glove with the West Bengal government and in conflict with the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha, do the leaders of this party demand us to be in a revolutionary mood with our own people. Further the video, doing the round, may be is hinting on the lack of education the present leader of the movement, Mr Bimal Gurung has, but it is apparent to all the people that he has at least, if not anything else, kept the issue of Gorkhaland alive, therefore we prefer him to the leaders of this newly formed party which is asking us to fight amongst ourselves, for their benefit and at the larger level the advantages of Mamata Banerjee and her legions. Thank you very much for your intellectualism and the call to join you.

Let us come out of this state of false consciousness and support our demand of Gorkhaland. This is the only issue which have been able to pull us together amidst the polarising politics of West Bengal. If this issue is diffused then we have no existence. The existence we have is already being threatened by the creation of development boards. The politics of development boards is to divide us and the only thread that has been able to bind us together is the demand for Gorkhaland. Therefore it becomes our moral duty to sabotage all the efforts of these vested interests to weaken our solidarity and demand for Gorkhaland.