WB Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Board's recent Brochure: Few Observations

Many might have got hold and glanced through the brochure of WB Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Board published (recently!) bilingually- in English and Bengali (?).

It is laudable that the brochure notes and re-emphasizes the history, culture and tradition of the Lepchas and the need and significance to preserve them.

However, it is critical for all the Indian Gorkhas, particularly Gorkhas of Darjeeling Hills, to note the first line of the second paragraph that directly blames the Gorkhas for Lepchas’ current state of affairs. To quote the brochure ‘Their (Lepchas’) way of life has been compromised by the rising tide of Nepali immigration so that they are now a minority in their own land.’

This is a very serious and communal allegation by the Lepcha Board that will have far reaching implications on the societal fabric of Darjeeling-Sikkim hills in the days to come! I demand, the board to withdraw the statement with immediate effect and tender unconditional apology to the Indian Gorkhas for releasing such communal line of thinking.

As a member of Gorkha Community, I have few concerns and observations to be made. The Lepcha board or the representatives may react to them if they deem relevant.

1. The demography of Darjeeling district comprises of several social groups and Gorkhas/Nepali speakers comprise not more than 40 % of the entire population. Please explain how have the Gorkhas of Darjeeling hills forced you to compromise your way of life. What about the Bhutias, Bengalis, Biharis, Marwaris, Muslims and other groups that reside in the region? Have they not impacted your ways of life?

2. Please look into the history of how Lepchas converted themselves into Christian for social and economic benefits of the group and the long-term consequences on the socio-culture and traditional ways of life of the Lepchas. And now you blame us for your compromised ways of life?

3. Both the Governments of India and West Bengal have granted innumerable privileges (including the ST status) to the Lepchas for the last several decades while the Gorkhas are one of the poor, oppressed and suppressed social groups within the Indian federation. However, the role of Indian Gorkhas in the national building process, including the national security, has been historic and far-reaching.

4. Gorkhas are sincere and hardworking souls. The achievements Indian Gorkhas have realized so far in various sectors/faculties are purely based on the merit and their hard work and not because of any special privileges and reservations.

5. One of my friends reacts to the note this way and I agree to it “ We aren’t feudal lords who made them servants. There was no sanction or statute passed like in Nepal that certain tribes would be relegated to certain work and profiles that would curb their development. They willingly became Christians, if they have to blame anybody; it’s the Christians converters who were their nemesis. Why are they blaming us in print? They gobble up Christian funds and now they’re gobbling up development funds. All they want is a victim card”

6. Lepchas are the first settlers of Sikkim-Darjeeling region. They are the autochthonous. There is no debate on that. But that does not mean that they are the only original and rest of the social groups, including Gorkhas, are duplicate. We are deep into the 21st century and such nonsense is irrelevant and shall not be tolerated. Please come out of such communal hangover and contribute to the growth and development of the country.

7. We should remember and acknowledge that the present day sedentary agriculture practice in the entire Sikkim-Darjeeling and southern Bhutan was brought about and consolidated by the Nepali speakers. The entire Darjeeling tea and quinine industries were founded and built on the sweat of the Gorkhas. The sweat of the Gorkhas that were drawn while building the Hill Cart Road and NH10 still smells when you travel through these roads.

8. Therefore, every nook and corner; devi and deorali; lekh and aoul; dara and kara; khola and nala; pakha and pandera, dews and dusts acknowledge and embrace the Gorkhas as the primary stake holders of the Darjeeling region at the present point of time. This message has to be loud and clear to all.

9. Such an irresponsible statement of the Lepcha Board will do more bad than good and eventually harm the social fabric of the region. After so much of contribution to the region as well as nation building process, it deeply hurts when a brochure of a particular group blames the Gorkhas in such a way!