Dhimals of Darjeeling are an impoverished lot. “Materially, morally and what not!” says Garjan Mallik, a representative of this endangered community, from Dhimal Bustee at Siliguri.
His main issue is, “In other cases the politicians at least come once in every five years showering promises but in our case even a promise is hard to come by.” Dhimals like the Totos are an endangered lot with their numbers shrinking fast.
The group has about 500 voters which is one reason perhaps why “the netas have left us to our fate.” Governments came and went but the fates of Dhimals remain unchanged for the past several decades.
According to a North Bengal University research report, the population of this tribe has shrunk to 1,001 out of which 487 are women.
“Even we are forced to marry our women in other communities so that our numbers can grow,” says Mallik, a leader of the Dhimal Jati Astitwa Kalyan Samiti, adding that the community has about 550 voters at Naxalbari, Kharibari and Matigara blocks where the general people have of late turned their allegiance from the left to the Trinamool Congress.
According to studies, Dhimals are haphazardly distributed in about eleven areas of Siliguri sub-division. There are 180 families with their average income below Rs 2,000 a month.The group has not been accorded Scheduled Caste status even after years of petitioning to the administration.
“Neither the left Government nor the Trinamool Congress did anything for them,” adds Mallik who has spent most part of his life in Delhi doing odd jobs.
He believes that the existence of the community is at stake and it may vanish soon if not developed. Do they know a thing about MPlAD or MlAlAD fundsIJ “No” comes the reply. “We do not get any fund and you can see how our dwelling places stink as we do not even have proper places to relieve ourselves.”
About their educational status another senior member of the community says despite hardships the social group has produced one post-graduate and five graduates who have still been looking for jobs.
“The Chief Minister can announce schemes for Tamangs, lepchas but can’t she give anything to usIJ” asks Khuku (name changed) a community member, adding a major portion of the community has decided to boycott votes this time round.
“What will happen by giving votesIJ What will we getIJ All who go to lanka become Ravanas” is their common refrain. Showing a couple of the BJP and TMC posters that flutter around, a community member says, “We have made up our mind. Gives us benefits and take our vote.”