Gorkhaland: Need of the hour

Critics/Detractors/Enemies of the separate state of #Gorkhaland have following three major reasons to argue against the division of West Bengal:

1) Small Geographical Area and Population of Darjeeling Region

This is one of the very important factors often debated in mainstream policy and academic circles against the formation of Gorkhaland. However, this argument is unfounded and has little rationality. Take a look at the figures of two smallest states of India.

Sikkim
Geographical Area: 7096 Sq KM
Population: 6.5 Lakh (2011)
Arable area: 11%
81% of the total geographical area of Sikkim is under Forest Department.

Goa
Geographical Area: 3702 Sq KM
Population: 18 Lakh (2011)

Proposed Gorkhaland (Dists of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Bengal Dooars)
Geographical Area: 7217 Sq KM
Population: More than 40 Lakh (2011)
Arable land: over 50%

Are area and population, therefore, reason why #Gorkhaland should not be created?

2) Darjeeling is an integral part of West Bengal and there is no question of bifurcation

The Bengali politicians, journalists and even Bengali academics mostly throw this argument. Any conscious and informed citizen of India knows that Darjeeling along with its adjoining Dooars/Terai was never part of the larger political/administrative landscape of Bengal till mid 19th Century. Therefore, this theory has no relevance and can be challenged left, right and center!

3) Strategic location of Darjeeling Hills and National Security Concerns

This is the most important theory often put forth by the #Gorkhaland detractors both in New Delhi and Kolkata. However, this theory is also groundless and desperately propagated by the vested interests.

In fact, forcefully keeping Darjeeling-Dooars region with its unique history, socio-culture and economy within West Bengal posses serious national security threat to the country. The region is a melting pot of ethnic diversity. It is dynamic in nature and evolving with time. However, Bengal government in the last 60 years has systematically destroyed the dynamic socio-cultural, economic and political fabrics of the region by 1) resettling the Bangladeshi refugees in the region and 2) by massively encouraging illegal Bangladeshi migrants in North Bengal particularly in the Darjeeling-Dooars region.

The Report of Darjeeling Terai Settlement (1891) by Sasi Bhusan Dutt clearly highlights that there was not a single Bengali soul on the soil of Darjeeling Terai during the period.

Resettlement of Bangladeshi refugees and massive illegal migration in the strategically located Darjeeling-Dooars region in the last 60 years has seriously compromised the security of the nation as well as human security of the region.

Contrariwise, therefore, it is only after the separation from Bengal and formation of a separate state of #Gorkhaland that the security of the nation and the region can be truly ensured!

Mamata Banerjee, Narendra Modi PMO India : Now you say, why should there be no separate state of #GORKHALAND comprising of Darjeeling and Dooars region? What stops you from fulfilling the century long demands of the #Gorkhas of #Darjeeling and their brothers/sisters in #Dooars?