I hope many of you watched the The Stream debate last night (12/07/17). I have two concerns to share:
First, the anchor read the note of @MahuaMitra on behalf of TMC (Mamata Banerjee), West Bengal, which, as expected, reiterated that Darjeeling-Duars is integral part of WB and therefore, cannot be divided at any cost. Upendra Pradhan, rightly, countered the statement by declaring the statement as unconstitutional. There is provision in the Constitution of India to divide or unite a province/state based on relevant factors.
Moreover, it is important for the larger public to understand that Darjeeling-Duars was merged into West Bengal with secret works of the persons like BC Roy. The region was merged into West Bengal without any consultation with the Gorkhas, Adibasis and other people living in the area during early 1950s and against the will of the larger population residing in the region. You can read this whole political drama in the State Reorganisation Report (i guess it is online). Absorbed Area Act (1954) also sheds light on this. There was also a very strong lobby to form a state called 'Uttarakhand' consisting of Sikkim, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Cooch-behar that eventually did not fructify.
Therefore, the very idea that Darjeeling-Duars is an integral part of West Bengal has no teeth. It is unfounded, illogical and just an emotional 'rethoric' as rightly highlighted by Swaraj Thapa in the debate yesterday. Therefore, where is the question of division of West Bengal? BC Roy and his team deceitfully merged the region into West Bengal without consulting the vulnerable, gullible, peace loving Gorkhas and Adibasis in the 1950s. Now we want to de-merge it from Bengal and have our own governance. It is as simple as that!
Secondly, my friend, Satya Brat, who also contributed to the debate said, among other things, 'the region is rich in bio-resources' but eventually suggested for 'Feasibility Study'. Now, we are not working so hard to undertake Railway, Hydro-Power or High Way projects that we shall undertake feasibility study.
One should understand, Darjeeling District alone roughly contributes over INR 2000 crore per annum to the state exchequer. We are yet to workout the revenue generated by Duars. Unlike Goa (the smallest state of India) that depends solely on tourism, the proposed Gorkhaland has diverse resource bases including Tea, Tourism, Forest, Water, Aesthetic Beauty, Culture, heritage, Border Trade and many more. Therefore, there is no question of 'Feasibility Study'. Once the Centre agrees (we are not concerned with the state), we will have referendum in disputed areas like Siliguri Terai and Jalpaiguri Duars and straightaway carve a new state!
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