Both the West Bengal regime and the GJM must calm down. Surely there’s a way out
The agitation in the West Bengal Hills has reached a boiling point — situations over there are similar to that in Kashmir valley. The State has, in fact, become a battleground — supporters of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) have called for an indefinite protest and been hurling stones and petrol bombs on the security forces to make their voice heard. The forces have, in turn, resorted to teargas shells, baton-charge etc, to control the agitating mobs. While the initial cause for the protest was the West Bengal Government's decision to make Bengali language compulsory in schools, matters have now snowballed, with the GJM making renewed demands for a separate Gorkhaland State. Before the situation spiral even more out of control, it is essential that both the West Bengal Government and the GJM come together and resolve the matter. More than anything else, it has now become a battle of egos for both, and this has been preventing everyone from arriving at a solution. While it is futile to put the blame on one person or the other, the fact remains that the West Bengal Government's decision to impose Bengali sparked protests that have now taken a violent turn. The demand for a separate Gorkhaland is not new, but it had been put to rest for a while. In fact, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had made a strong commitment to resolve the Gorkhaland issue with the creation of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) in 2011. But over the years, little was done. As agreed, no transfer of powers took place. It thus appears that Banerjee invited troubles for herself. Although her Government later withdrew the language decision, but by then the damage was already done. Surprisingly, all these developments have taken place at a time when Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) made significant gains in the Hills — last month, it won the Mirik municipality election and was gearing up to give a tough completion to the GJM in the GTA poll.
It is encouraging that Banerjee has tried to calm matters by saying that Bengali would be optional in the Hill district, but that has not been sufficient to assuage the agitating Gorkhas who do not want the Bengali language in the curriculum at all. It must be admitted that the mere introduction of the three-language formula in the Hills ought not have led to the confrontation, because Banerjee had already made concessions. The GJM on its part too added fuel to the fire by adopting a confrontationist attitude. The GJM will do well to refrain from violence. It will be in the interest of both the West Bengal Government and the GJM to comprehend the fact that the creation of a separate State cannot happen with the wave of a magic wand. It’s a demand that cannot be easily acceded to nor is it the right moment to discuss such matters. Surely, there has to be a middle path, but that will be found only when peace is restored.