Socio-Political Movements in North Bengal (A Sub-Himalayan Tract) Edited by Publish by Global Vision Publishing House Sukhbilas Barma

Uttar Banga Tapasili Jati O Adibashi Sangathan (UTJAS): A Dalit Student Movement

Naren Das

Pre-independence North Bengal was mainly farmers’ society in which there was no scope of employment in any sector except in agriculture and a few govt. establishments, tea gardens, business and rail and road transport systems. People were solely dependent on the land and land related works/ professions. The farmers’ economic condition was however, not too bad during the last part of regime of the Bengal Tenancy Act and the Tenancy Act. But as soon as the government introduced unscientific ceiling system with frequent privileged amendments in Land Ceiling Act and related Acts, the farmers were forced to leave their cultivable land as a result of which the farmers, especially the indigenous farmers began to live like endangered species. In the year 1947 after creation of India and Pakistan, the turmoil in connection with the exchange of people on the basis of religion gave birth to a new community known as refugee. Thousands of East Pakistan refugees came to this area and hundreds of indigenous people especially, the Muslims were bound to leave this area.

Naren Das: An advocate practising law in Jalpaiguri Court. He is associated with various social organizations of the Rajbanshis in North Bengal. 138 Socio-Political Movements in North Bengal

Unprecedented Population Pressure Practically the indigenous people had so long no feeling about the difference of religion/caste etc. They used to lead a peaceful life among the communities with the rarest example of communal harmony. People of this area were very simple, kind hearted and peaceful. Immediately after partition, the indigenous people cordially received the refugees of East Pakistan and settled them on their own lands appreciating their distressed conditions. For such cordial reception, a huge number of refugees settled themselves on the cultivable lands of North Bengal in different corners of remote villages. After a few decades, this process of regular settlement of refugees turned into a threat to the normal life and existence of the indigenous people of North Bengal. The pressure upon the cultivable land was tremendous and out of limit. The population of this area became double within a very short period. Variations in population between 1931-71 in two core districts of North Bengal, namely Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar given in Appendix B and C will give an idea about the problem. Out of total population of 10,19,806 of Cooch Behar in 1961 Census, 2,98,000 were born outside the district of which 2,52,000 born in East Pakistan. Similarly, out of population of 13,59,292 of Jalpaiguri in 1961 Census 4,54,177 were born outside the district of which 2,18,341 were born in East Pakistan. Naturally these events gradually generated discontent among the farmer class, especially among the indigenous farmers while they were losing their only source of livelihood. Gradually the condition of sons of the soil became pitiable and the introduction of unscientific amendments of Land Ceiling Act and related Acts completed the cycle of misery and destruction of the indigenous people. The farmers became surplus labour but the refugees who Uttar Banga Tapasili Jati O Adibashi Sangathan (UTJAS)... 139 have become land holders by this time, did not engage them on their cultivable lands.

South Bengal Leadership versus Indigenous People The indigenous people began to resist the infiltration from the foreign countries and demanded their employment in this area but the political leaders, social workers and intellectuals were not ready to listen to their problems. It may be mentioned that at the time of independence, most of the intellectuals, politicians and social workers were of South Bengal and they had no time and interest to look into the problems of native people. These outsiders were brought to this area by the British rulers as loyal servants for managing the rulers’ office establishment or as faithful Zaminders/ Talukders to control the subjects and to meet the purpose of the foreign rulers. Their business was to dominate over the wishes, hopes and aspirations of local people in the social, political and economic activities. Immediately after independence, they became self proclaimed intellectuals, political leaders and social workers of this zone. The people of this zone gradually came to realize that these immigrant people are not the friends of sons of the soil and began to think over the way out. As result of such thinking, the native people organized movements, one after another, to save themselves. History of this region indicates that this region did never have any connection with the southern part of Bengal, especially with the power centre of Kolkata. The power centre of Kolkata always tried to capture the area as a colony of southern Bengal and also to impose their culture, language and their economic and political system on North Bengal with the natural consequence of destruction of native language, culture, politics and economy. 140 Socio-Political Movements in North Bengal

Against this background of hatred and deprivation, whenever the people of this area started any movement, the same was looked upon with suspicion by the so called leaders. Naturally, there was rift in the mind of these indigenous people but they remained silent in the interest of communal harmony. A new way of life pervaded this region which could be termed as “the relation of peaceful co- existence and not of co-operation.” On the other hand, the infiltrated people with the help of corrupt administration captured almost all the government, semi government and non-government services. After losing the cultivable land, the small farmers, bargadars and other land dependant labours were forced to leave their birth place. The government and the politicians of this area (most of them from East Bengal having no knowledge of social structure of this zone) failed to consider the demographic change of this area and also failed to adopt steps for protecting the indigenous people from this crisis.

Population Pressure further Intensified after 1971 In the mean while, the separation of Pakistan by creation of Bangladesh further fuelled the fire. Lakhs of Bangladesh refugees entered in these five districts of North Bengal, viz. Cooch Bihar, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, West Dinajpur, and MaIda in the year 1971. After 1971, only a few lakhs of people returned to their home land and the rest of the homeless and penniless people again settled themselves in this North Bengal. As a result the safety and security of indigenous people were at stake. Thousands of indigenous people left their mother land on constant torture of the government machinery and so called political and social leaders. In addition, the infiltrators of North Eastern states feeling insecure in those states due to the movements of Uttar Banga Tapasili Jati O Adibashi Sangathan (UTJAS)... 141 indigenous people there, began to shift themselves to North Bengal. Non stop infiltration of foreigners from the neighboring countries viz. Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet from the pre-independence days was the other disease of this area. As a result, in one decade i.e. 1971 to 1981, population reached from about 74 lakhs to about 92 lakhs. All these events forced the indigenous people of this area to think again about their survival. This has motivated the people of North Bengal to form a united force and Uttar Khanda movement, Uttar Banga Sanskritik Parishads movement, Hamar Sangh movement, Bharatiya Tapshil Mission movement etc. were the out come of these grievances. The new educated generation of indigenous people started movements like Uttar Khanda under Uttar Khanda Dal and cultural movement by Uttar Banga Sanskritik Parishad since 1966. In addition to these, there were some other movements of Rajbanshis, Bodos, Rabhas, Namasudras, Santhals, Oraon and other communities for their upliftment and protection. There was however, no integration among these communities on all the demands/ issues and simply for these reasons, the movements had failed to achieve their goal. But the discontentment of the indigenous people increased day by day.

Indigenous Students’ Movement in North Bengal University Side by side, the students of various educational institutions within this area working on the problems of dalit felt that the so called main stream upper class leadership of students was reluctant to look into their problems and as such they have to form a separate organization for highlighting and resolving their own problems. Taking clues from all the aforesaid movements and previous experiences, 142 Socio-Political Movements in North Bengal the dalit students formed an organization in North Bengal University in August 1976 with only 11 students including Ranjit Kumar Adhikary, Amal Sarker, Satyendra Nath Barman , Siddeswar Karjee and myself under the name ‘Uttar Banga Viswavidyalaya Tapashilee Jati O Adivasi Chhatra Sangathan’ to deal with the acute problems of admission, stipend and also misbehavior from the upper class students. In those days, the dalit students were microscopic in number in the University area and as such they were insulted now and then by the higher caste students. Incidentally on third or fourth day of the formation of Chhatra Sangathan, some of the students insulted one of the members at the dinning table of Vivekananda hall at the time of dinner. On receiving this information, all the members of the organization rushed to the dinning hall within a few minutes and the wrongdoers were bound to seek apology. In this incident a good number of other students, especially Muslim students extended support to us, and criticized the wrong doers. From that day, nobody dared to make any ill remarks on the students of dalit group. It was realized that the dalit students could assert themselves, if united.

A New Students’ Organisation Formed In early 1977, the necessity of a broad based student organization was felt very much. A new organization named as “Uttar Banga Tapashilee Jati 0 Adivasi Students’ Organization” came into picture. Bijoy Chandra Barman, Pradip Kumar Roy and myself, holding the post of Secretaries from time to time toured the remote villages of North Bengal and educated the students about their rights, facilities and duties to their brother students. The students launched movement through out North Bengal in various institutions to implement the government declared facilities for the dalit Uttar Banga Tapasili Jati O Adibashi Sangathan (UTJAS)... 143 students and uplift the economic conditions of the down trodden people. The period 1976 to 1980 was the prime period for the student movement in North Bengal and the government was compelled to implement the declared facilities in the educational institutions for the aforesaid reasons. The main issues of student movement were four fold as follows: (a) Organizing protest against the insult/assault upon any member of down trodden people and especially the students. (b) Keeping constant pressure on the heads of educational institutions and the administrative heads for regular payment of stipend, book grant and hostel-grant. (c) Keeping close watch on the point that the students selected according to general merit shall not be included in reserved quota. (d) Allowing the students to appear in examination and also to remain in hostel without payments of dues of the institution or hostel with the undertaking that they would pay the dues on receiving the payments of SC and ST stipend from the govern- ment authority. It is for such agitations that the institutions were compelled to regularize the payments of stipends, book- grants, hostel grants and to allow the non- paying poor students to stay in hostel and also to sit for examinations till the receipt of payments from the government authority. It may be mentioned that before 1976 there was no system of reservation of seats in North Bengal University and colleges under this University. After several meetings with the then Vice Chancellor Prof. Amlan Datta and the Executive 144 Socio-Political Movements in North Bengal

Council, the University authority was compelled to introduce reservation system in this University and in all colleges under it from the last part of 1977. In the meanwhile, the students had become successful in creating some awareness among the general people. A delegation of three members met the Parliamentary Committee on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, which was touring the country at the time, in Darjeeling in 1979 and placed the demand for reservation proportionate to the population. All the qualified candidates were not getting employment as the percentage of S.C and S.T population in this area was more than 60%, while the reservation quota was only 20%–15% for SC and 5% for ST. Moreover, candidates selected on merit were also included in the reserved list. The Sangathan demanded remedial measures for such problems. It may be mentioned that in 1983 the government was compelled to make provision that SC/ST candidates selected on general merit shall not be included in reserved quota. In the month of May 1978, a padayatra for a period of 28 days was organized from Tufanganj to Shibmandir, Siliguri under the guidance of the students’ organization. I contacted the leaders of down trodden people of all the districts in October 1978. All the leaders agreed to open a new front to fight for reservation in employment and other problems of people in general. Sachindra Nath Barman organized some people in the village Bhandijalas and Bansraja in the eastern part of Tufanganj Subdivision. Some economic programmes and cultural awareness programmes were drawn up. In the meanwhile, the state government established Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development and Finance Corporation with a view to developing the down trodden people with economic programmes with Uttar Banga Tapasili Jati O Adibashi Sangathan (UTJAS)... 145 considerable subsidy. This fact was completely unknown to the district administration and the elected members of the districts. Very soon it came out that the ruling leaders played cunning role to deprive the down trodden people, especially the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

UTJAS and its Broad Based Activities This feeling gave vent to the formation of an organization by the name “Uttar Banga Tapashilee Jati 0 Adivasi Sangathan” and the first of its meeting was held in Tufanganj town in Krishak Samiti’s Office. In December 1978 the organization submitted a memorandum to the Sub Divisional Officer, Tufanganj with demands as follows: (a) The members of Scheduled castes and Scheduled tribes be provided with loan facility for improving their financial conditions. (b) Vested land be distributed as per provisions of West Bengal Land Reforms Act with priorities to scheduled tribes, scheduled castes and general castes. (c) The students be allowed to write/dec1are, in any application in column of mother tongue, their own mother language i.e. Rabha, Oroan and Kamatapuri etc. in place of Bengali. The concept of subsidy of 25%and 50% was earlier unknown to down trodden people of North Bengal. As result of awareness, the people began to apply for the declared loan at direct supervision of the Sangathan and within a few weeks few hundred applications were filed before the authority. But the authority of WB SC ST Development and Finance Corporation was not in a position to dispose of the applications for want of sufficient fund and proper machinery to handle such huge number of applications. 146 Socio-Political Movements in North Bengal

Naturally the administration took help of the local elected leaders and ruling political leaders who tried to restrain the people from filing application at their level and refused to certify the eligibility of the applicants. On this issue of deprivation people organized themselves under the banner of “Uttar Banga Tapashilee Jati o Adivasi Sangathan” from the month of January or February 1979 at Tufanganj ignoring threat of the ruling political leaders. The attitude of political leaders and administration became clear to the workers of the Sangathan throughout North Bengal and the people prepared themselves to launch stronger movement in the last part of 1979. Further in January 1980, the school authorities were verbally directed not to receive admission forms where in column of mother tongue, the language name was written other than Bengali by indigenous people. This incident also became another threat to indigenous people. In Alipurduar, Tufanganj, and Cooch Behar people started mass meetings on their demands. The local ruling political leaders especially Kamal Guha, Minister, Shibendra Narayan Choudhury, Minister and Manindra Nath Barma, MLA opposed the moves in stern languages. Dinesh Chandra Dakua in open meetings on several occasions stated that these young leaders had no idea about the society and they were misleading the people of this area. The leaders of ruling political party were also accusing that these young leaders of Sangathan were the sons of the local Joteders and Zaminders and their only business was to mislead the poor people. They also accused the movement of the Sangathan as secessionist, communal and against the national integrity. The ruling party engaged three persons of Rajbanshi community namely, Manindra Nath Barma, MLA, Dinesh Chandra Dakua, MLA and Debendra Nath Barma, MP on a mission of opposing the moves of the Uttar Banga Tapasili Jati O Adibashi Sangathan (UTJAS)... 147

Sangathan. Practically these leaders had no voice in their party and they were used by the ruling communal leaders as a policy of use and throw. The indigenous senior leaders of different area began to extend support in organizing public meetings. Having seen the rapid growth of the organization, the leaders of ruling party directed their supporters not to allow any of their controlled school fields for the public meetings of the Sangathan. The Sangathan convened public meetings in local haribari grounds or on paddy fields. In the meanwhile, a local scheme of pisi-culture was introduced under the care and control of Panchayat authorities and for such scheme most of the vested land held by indigenous people were forcibly taken away by the administration and the local political ruling leaders. This incident added fuel to the fire of mass discontent and helped the Sangathan. A movement was launched on the issues that land already distributed to the indigenous people cannot be snatched away from them by the ruling party men without proper compensation or without alternative source of employment and that all the vested lands in the hand of so called raiyats and all benami lands held by the foreign nationals shall have to be distributed as per provisions of the Land Reforms Act failing which, the Sangathan shall be compelled to occupy the same on their own strength. On such agitation, the Sangathan was successful to settle the marginal landless farmers of at least 1000 families in four subdivisions.

Attitude of the Government and the Ruling Parties towards the UTJAS Activities The ruling CPI (M) resisted the movement in various ways. A clash took place at Turkanir Kuthi within the subdivision of Tufanganj on 10.04.80, when a rally of the 148 Socio-Political Movements in North Bengal

Sangathan was attacked by CPI (M) supporters. On such grave situation, the local villagers came with arrows and bows and rescued the supporters of the Sangathan from the party hooligans. In the meanwhile, the cunning sub divisional ruling party leaders made a false diary at Tufanganj Police Station on the same night and on the basis of their diary, the police authority in connivance with local ruling party leaders arrested innocent 9 leaders including Puspa Nath Pradhan, Lankeswar Adhikary, Kabindra Nath Barman and others. On such incident the entire subdivision became furious and on the next morning a few thousands of supporters of Sangathan in a rally moved towards Tufanganj Sub Divisional Office for filing a memorandum demanding the release of innocent persons. But on the way to the S.D.O’s office, the rally was intercepted by the police authority. The rally moved towards the police station and some of the leaders of rally were taken inside the police station on the plea of discussion. At about 01.00 p.m. it was informed that the leaders who were invited inside would not be released. On such declaration of the police authority, the waiting members of the rally got agitated and hot altercation took place. Finally police opened lathi charge upon the innocent peaceful unarmed persons and failing to control the agitators opened indiscriminate bullet firing. In this incident one Narendra Nath Barman was seriously injured and died in MJN Hospital Cooch Behar and three others were seriously injured by bullet. For showing the legitimacy of such police firing, the police officers on duty themselves set fire in the cooking room of the police station and started a false case against the indigenous persons, although the rally participants included a good number of new settlers from different communities. The agitators Uttar Banga Tapasili Jati O Adibashi Sangathan (UTJAS)... 149 were severely beaten at Tufanganj Market, Madan Mohan Para and on river bed of Raidak under the leadership of CPI (M) hooligans specially by the refugee leaders out of communal sentiments. About 15 persons were seriously injured in such communal assault and hospitalized in different areas. On the next day the Sub Divisional Authority declared 144 Cr.P.C. throughout the sub-division. This incident made an explosion among the people of these four subdivisions. The leading daily news papers of the state printed the news of firing as “Tufanganje Tufan”. After this incident, a new formal committee was formed with Prabhat Sen Ishore as President and Subal Chandra Barman as Secretary. Sushil Chandra Adhikary and Sachindra Nath Barman were selected as the organizers. Against such indiscriminate police firing and also against such hooligan activities of ruling party, the organizers gave a call to break the prohibitory orders under section 144 Cr. P.C. and a general meeting was called in Tufanganj town. The Muslim blocks allowed their burial ground to put up a stage for the meeting near Raidak river bridge of Tufanganj town in front of Vivekananda Vidyalaya. The meeting was attended by about 15000/16000 people irrespective of caste and community. This incident of firing was condemned by all the political parties except the left front. On 17.04.80 the Sangathan staged relay hunger strike in front of the Sub-Divisional Office complex and it continued till 08.07.80. The programme was attended by about 36,000 people of different communities. The questions raised by the Sangathan became the concern of all the political parties of the state. The leaders of the Sangathan also met almost all the major political heads of political groups and appraised them about the problems of North Bengal. 150 Socio-Political Movements in North Bengal

The left front was so worried about the movement that they organized mass meeting at Cooch Behar Rajbari field on 06.07.80. The meeting was addressed by nine ministers of left front including the chief minister Jyoti Basu. On 6th July, the leaders of Sangathan were called at Cooch Behar circuit house for discussion. The team consisted of Prabhat Sen Ishore, Sachindra Nath Barman, Prabhat Chandra Barman and myself. Before meeting the Sangathan’s delegation, there was another meeting of the MLAs and M.P.s of North Bengal in the same venue and on the same issue. In that meeting, the ruling authorities had already decided that they would not encourage the demands of the movement in any way. In the meeting, the Chief Minister behaved in rough manner and a hot altercation took place. Mr. Kamal Guha tried to intervene but he failed. The Team of the Sangathan was compelled to leave the meeting place. After leaving the circuit house the leaders had shown black flag to the ministers and declared that there will be a mass meeting against the ill remarks of the ministers at Cooch Behar. It may be mentioned that on 01.07.80 a mass rally was organized at Alipurduar town, which was attended by about 25,000 persons and that created panic to the left leaders. In those days left leaders’ only business was to oppose the movement of the Sangathan in all public meetings held in any corner of North Bengal. On 06.07.80, the Chief Minister, Mr. Jyoti Basu declared in open meeting that they would combat the movement politically. In reply to the questions of left front meeting at Cooch Behar, a mass meeting was called by the Sangathan at Tufanganj on 08.07.80. The town was full of rallies being headed by well dressed local bands and Singha (made of buffalos’ horn) and the gathering was near a lakh of people. Uttar Banga Tapasili Jati O Adibashi Sangathan (UTJAS)... 151

In the meeting the Sangathan informed the gathering that they had since met almost all the leaders of this state and also the administrators including the Governor of West Bengal on the issue of judicial enquiry and other demands but failed to get any assurance from any end. Having no alternative, they decided that they would meet the central government on these issues.

Ventilating the Grievances to the Central Government and Central Leaders The Sangathan met Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister on 08.08.80 at New Delhi. The delegation consisted of Prabhat Sen Ishore, Manindra Nath Das, Karuna Kanta Das, Prabhat Chandra Barman, Sachindra Nath Barman and myself. The team was helped by Prasenjit Barman, the then M.P. of Rajya Sabha. The major demands were as follows: (a) Holding of judicial enquiry on the incident of police firing and compensation to the victim families. (b) Regularization of stipend and other facilities to the Scheduled castes and tribes pupils. (c) Filling of the service quota of Scheduled castes and Tribe’s people as early as possible in proportion of population. (d) Development of North Bengal in all respects and protecting the Scheduled castes and Scheduled tribes people from eviction and also from the torture from government and other non government organizations. After discussion, the Sangathan was assured that she would send a team to enquire into the incident and also call for a report from the Home Minister of West Bengal. Within 15 days a team consisting of two officials came to Tufanganj 152 Socio-Political Movements in North Bengal and enquired into all the incidents of police firing and other incidents thereafter. During this visit to New Delhi, the delegation also met the central ministers viz Mr. Jogendra Makoana. Mr. Pranab Mukherjee and the M.Ps viz. Mr. Purna Narayan Sinha, Mr. , Mr. Piyus Tirkey, Mr. Ranendra Barman, Mr. Ladli Mohan Nigam, Mr. Hembati Nandan Bahuguna and some others of different political groups. The team also met Bhola Pashowan Sastri, the then Chairman of National Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission. This delegation was the mile stone from the end of the people of North Bengal as the indigenous people never approached the central government and other elected representatives before in such a style. In consequence of such approach to the members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Mr. Ladli Mohan Nigam, Mr. Purna Narayan Sinha and Mr. Hembati Nandan Bahuguna raised questions relating to North Bengal in both the houses of Parliament. Subsequently they turned as the real friend of North Bengal People and they practically campaigned for the people of North Bengal in their circle and also at national level. In the meanwhile, considerable groups of socialist leaders like Kishan Pattanayak, ex M.P. and others came forward for the cause of North Bengal people. Step by step the Sangathan came in contact with Chhatra Yuba Sangharsa Bahini in Bihar, Samta Sangathan and Uttara Khanda Sangharsa Bahini in Uttar Pradesh, Dalit Sangharsa Samiti and Karnataka Rajya Ryatha Sangathan in Karnataka and ASSU in Assam. All these organizations save and except ASSU, established relations with the Sangathan. As a result of such tie with different organizations some eminent intellectuals like Kuldip Nayar, Rajani Kothari, V.M. Uttar Banga Tapasili Jati O Adibashi Sangathan (UTJAS)... 153

Tarkunde, Rambhusan Malhotra, Amiya Rao and a young group of journalists and lecturers of various Universities of New Delhi came to know about the problems of North Bengal. Also the Sangathan could tie up a friendship with Rambilas Paswan M.P, Ashoke Prakash Malavya M.P, Ajit Kumar Sharma M.P, Dinesh Goswami, and some others who helped much by raising the issues in different forums of Central government. During the period of 1983 – 1985, the delegation of the Sangathan met political leaders like George Fernandez, E.M.S. Namboodiripad, Madhu Limaye, Madhu Dandawate, N.E. Horo, Shibu Soren, P. Upendra, Jagajjivan Ram and held seminars in Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, Patna, Ranchi, Nalanda and many other places throught the country. The Sangathan thus established connections with important places of the country. The Sangathan moved the legal forum for implementing the West Bengal Land Reforms Act for restoration of tribal people in their alienated land. Divisional Commissioner’s letter to district officials of Sangathan was not encouraging at all. On receipt of such reply, the Sangathan wrote a letter to the Honourable Chief Justice, Supreme Court of India on 30.06.87 narrating the fact of torture and the attitude of the administration in implementation of the law of the land. The Honourable court took cognizance of the matter and directed the Social Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal, to take action on the petition. On such direction, from the Apex Court, the state government began to implement the provisions of the West Bengal Land Reforms Act. This was a great achievement of the Sangathan. The Sangathan also met the Chief Election Commissioner, Government of India at New Delhi on 10.09.85 and submitted 154 Socio-Political Movements in North Bengal a memorandum highlighting the problem of inclusion of names of foreign nationals in the voter list. On 9th October 1985, the Chief Election Commissioner wrote a letter to the General Secretary stating that the Commission has already issued necessary instructions for not including non-Indian citizens in the electoral rolls. No effective step, however, appears to have been taken in this regard. On this issue and other demands of North Bengal, the Sangathan represented by Fabianus Tirkey, Satish Ray and myself, met Jnani Jail Singh, the President of India, appointment being arranged by Rambilas Paswan, MP, who accompanied the delegation to The Rastrapati Bhawan. The delegation also met Kuldeep Nayar who expressed his concern for North Bengal.

Confrontation with the State Government In the meanwhile, the Left Front’s Cooch Behar policy changed. They would now take recourse to the path of hooliganism to combat the movement. The break out of series of subsequent clashes through out North Bengal revealed the picture of the so called politically combating the democratic and peaceful movements of native people. The incident of setting fire at Chakulia in tribal houses, the setting of fire at Rajbanshi houses at Haiderpara, the incident of mass murder of indigenous people at Rampur and Dariabalai, destroying the families of the leaders and the activists of the Sangathan by implicating them in false cases at Tufanganj, Ethelbari, Kumargram, Balurghat etc. are the few instances of such hooliganism. About 1000 persons were implicated in 65 false cases but the state had failed to prove any of the charges and all the persons were honourably acquitted from the charges. As a result of such oppression, the families were destroyed but because of acute poverty and lack of legal knowledge Uttar Banga Tapasili Jati O Adibashi Sangathan (UTJAS)... 155 they failed to take legal action against the wrong doer state officials. On the other hand during the period of movement, there was not a single instance of communal attack on any community or on any of the refugee people from the side of indigenous people. The old refugee people were coming forward under the command of organization looking into the real picture and also the mode of torturing upon the dalit people. The ruling CPI (M) got scared of it and tried to create a rift among the indigenous people and the refugees. The so- called political workers secretly canvassed a false propaganda that the “Deshi” people would evict the “Bhatiya” people by any means. In order to achieve the goal, the ruling party workers began to put up posters to that effect containing communal slogans at dead of night in a number of places from Tufanganj to Siliguri but the conspiracy was proved false after due enquiry by the police authority on demand of the Sangathan. The rumour was so sensitive that in one night, being panic stricken, the inhabitants of Leninpur had left their homes and took shelter in North Bengal University campus on apprehension that the Sangathan leaders, armed with deadly weapons were coming to Leninpur to evict the refugee people. Later on they realized that this rumour was spread by the ruling party leaders with a view to creating a fear atmosphere around the University campus to restrain the entry of student leaders of the Sangathan inside the University campus. The same was strongly condemned by the local people under the leadership of Rabindra Nath Sarker, Anil Sinha, and others. The same technique was also applied in Tufanganj Sub Division which was the nucleus of the Sangathan but that too ultimately failed. 156 Socio-Political Movements in North Bengal

Confrontation with the Left Front Political Parties Some of the major instances of beastly attack by the ruling party men and their hooligans upon the activists and leaders of the Sangathan may be mentioned in this connection: (a) Attack upon a rally of Sangathan on 15.12.1981 at Tufanganj. (b) Ransacking the house of the Sangathan’s District President of Cooch Behar in December, 1981. (c) Implicating the President of the Sangathan and her husband in criminal cases at Kamarpara, Balurghat in 1982. (d) Lynching of five persons at Dariabalai Mela Ground in June, 1985. (e) Implicating in 1987 the leaders of the Sangathan in dacoity case at Dariabalai and attacking the rallies of central conference at Alipurduar. (f) Instituting false case against poor tribal villagers by the brick field owners in 1988. Two major incidents of mass murder under the organized leadership of the CPI (M) hooligans took place at Rampur and Dariabalai in Toofanganj sub-division which tolled 16 lives, most of whom belonged to the indigenous community. Within a few days, thousands of people came forward and joined the protest rallies organized by the Sangathan. In order to have a broad based organization for resisting such hooliganism, a new organization by the name Gana-Oikya was formed to work under the direct supervision of the Sangathan. Sri Joddar Miah, Janabuddin Byapari, Dwijendra Nath Sarkar were given the responsibility of organization. Some of the central leaders, however, did not support the idea, as they failed to feel the pulse of the supporters and Uttar Banga Tapasili Jati O Adibashi Sangathan (UTJAS)... 157 the activists of Gana-Oikya. The organization came to an end in 1986. The rally organised in connection with the Central Conference of the Sangathan at Alipurduar, on 10th January, 1987 was attacked by the armed cadres of CPI(M), hundreds of supporters assaulted and women rallyists molested. The police was nowhere in sight and they appeared only to arrest the victims once the party cadres had finished their job of beating and molesting. The brutal attack at Alipurduar on the supporters of UTJAs can very well be compared with the incident at Nandigram today. In fact, Yogendra Yadav has drawn the parallels between Nandigram and Alipurduar in an article ‘Between Nandigram and a party that swears by human rights and lofty democratic ideals lies vast hypocrisy— PARTY GAMES’ in The Indian Express on 21st March, 2007. Initial Charter of Demands of the Sangathan (i) Judicial inquiry by a High Court Judge in respect of indiscriminate police firing on 11.04.80 upon the innocent people at Tufanganj Subdivision. (ii) Immediate and unconditional release of all innocent persons who were arrested on 10.04.80 and 11.04.80. (iii) Payment of compensation to all the injured and to the victim family of the dead person Narendra Nath Barman. (iv) Withdrawal of all the false cases against the leaders of the Sangathan. (vi) Legal action against the government officials and police officials who prepared the chain of conspiracy and also the offenders who had beaten the members of the rally without any provocation in different areas of Tufanganj town. 158 Socio-Political Movements in North Bengal

The movement gave birth to leaders like Ashoke Mallick, Dwijendra Nath Sarker, Prabhat Chandra Barman, Jugal Kishore Raybir, Krisna Kanta Roy, Smt. Ranjana Roy, Mandol Murmu, Sunity Hansda, Jodder Mia, Fabianus Tirkey, Tej Kumar Toppo, Bilkan Bara, Mahendra Nath Sarker, Jagannath Sarker, Manmatha Das, Hemkanta Adhikary and some others, who decided to call a convention at Siliguri which is the middle place with good communication. In the month of January or February 1981, a three day (2nd) convention was called at the direct initiative of Rabindra Nath Sarker, Tarani Kanta Roy, Jyotish Chandra Roy and the students of North Bengal University. A new Central Committee was formed headed by Prabhat Chandra Barman as Secretary and Jyotish Chandra Roy as President with 19 executive members. They finalized 27 demands including the earlier ones, taking into account the interest of all groups of dalits. The main demands were as follows: (i) The reservation of scheduled castes and tribes in proportion of their population. (ii) Government purchase of Jute and Paddy with subsidy price. (iii) Restoration of alienated lands to tribal people. (iv) Broadcasting of songs and other cultural programmes in Kamatapuri and other tribal languages. (v) Setting up of agriculture based cottage and small scale industries. (vi) Immediate stoppage of foreigner’s infiltration. (vii) Exclusion of the names of foreign nationals from the voter list. (viii) Introduction of the system of inner line permits as in the case of North Eastern States. Uttar Banga Tapasili Jati O Adibashi Sangathan (UTJAS)... 159

In the 3rd convention held at Raiganj, three more demands were added. (i) Distribution of the refugees through out the nation (ii) Creation of home land within Bangladesh for the Hindus/indigenous people if the Bangladesh government fails to protect them from the racial torturing. (iii) Implementation of B.P. Mandal Commission report. The committee was changed due to old age of the President and. Mrs. Ranjana Roy the President of Sangathan elected from the women activists and I was elected the General Secretary. Sangathan got added inspiration to move further in full speed. In 1982, the Sangathan moved the Hon’ble High Court, Calcutta regarding the maintenance of roster in the dispute of reservation in Sonaulla High School, Jalpaiguri. Thereafter the Sangathan kept close watch on all the institutions and the employers became alert in implementing the reservation provisions. Gradually the people of this area became aware of their rights and privileges and also of the issue of deprivation. During this period, Mathabhanga sub-divisional authority refused to issue Scheduled Caste certificate to persons with the surname “Debosinha”, who are popularly known as “Morangiya” within the Rajbanshi community. The issue was taken up by the Sangathan led by Sri Moral Ray. The history of Morangiayas, once residents of the district of Morang of Nepal, who were given to king Naranarayan by the king of Nepal as gift to act as guard and military, and were settled by the king of Cooch Behar in the sub-division of Mathanbhanga, was explained to the authority. The Left 160 Socio-Political Movements in North Bengal

Front leaders including Dinesh Dakua opposed the move. There were strong agitations led by Morol Ray, for which Sri Ray and others were put behind the bars. The agitation continued and the authority ultimately had to issue certificates to the Morangiyas. In the fourth conference of the organization held in the year 1985 at Siliguri, the following new demands were approved: (a) Printing of question papers for Madhyamik and Higher Secondary in Hindi in addition to Bengali and English. (b) Opening of more Schools and Colleges in Duars for the Hindi medium students. (c) Enhancement of land ceiling as in other states. (d) Inclusion of the communities like Bhar, Mahato, Tanti, Teli, Mahasya, Kapalik, indigenous Muslims of this area in the list of Mandol Commission. Major agitations organised by the Sangathan: (a) Three day law violation throughout North Bengal before the administrative offices of North Bengal in September, 1984. (b) One day Road blockade through out North Bengal in the month of May 1985 with participation of 25,000/30,000 persons. (c) Three-day hunger strike at different administrative Offices of the state governments on 23th, 24th and 26th September 1985 with participation of about 10,000 persons. (d) “Kolkatta Chalo” on 29th October 1986 participated by 15,000 persons and memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister in Charge, Binoy Krisna Choudhury. Uttar Banga Tapasili Jati O Adibashi Sangathan (UTJAS)... 161

The political leaders of North Bengal were naturally giving statements either in support of the movement or opposing the movement. The ruling party leaders were giving inflammatory statements on the issue of the police firing and the movement. The rebellious leaders like Panchanan Mallick, Sampad Roy, Haripada Roy and the respected Leader Upendra Nath Barman gave statements that they had no relation with the movements of Sangathan. They did not encourage such movements. The daily news papers of the state for the month of May and June 1980 would reveal the truth. The renowned scholar Dr. Girija Shankar Roy published a pamphlet stating that he considered the movement of Sangathan as secessionist, sectarian and communal. Subsequently when the situation cooled down, in reply to the question as to why they gave such statements before the press, all of them (except Upendra Nath Barman) confessed before the workers of the Sangathan that they were forced by some political persons to release such statements. In 1980 itself the organization gave statement from Cooch Behar that the Sangathan was working only for down trodden people and for all round development of North Bengal. It had no relation with any communal, secessionist or anti-national force. After such a press statement, a good number of organizations came to the leaders of the Sangathan with their cooperative hands. CPI (ML) Rana group, Halua Samiti, BSP of Kanshiram were some such organizations. After the disintegration of Gana-Oikya, a political wing of the organization was formed to contest the incoming Panchayat elections. Sri Ramjan Ali was made the President and Sri. Jugal Kishore Raybir, the Gen. Secy. In the meanwhile, because of serious discord, I submitted resignation but that was not accepted by the Sangathan and 162 Socio-Political Movements in North Bengal

I was requested to continue till the next convention. In February, 1989, the Sangathan and its political wing convened a joint conference at Kaliaganj but the attendance was very poor. They dealt the matter so carelessly that on the same date and same time, the political wing put forward two leaflets of the same meeting with two sets of demands. There was a serious rift among the activists and supporters in 1989. I was a mere spectator as my resignation was not accepted till then. In the same year, the President of the Sangathan issued show cause notice to me as a face saving measure. I didn’t feel the necessity of replying to such a dead organization. As ex-Secretary of the Sangathan, I wrote to the Chief Justice, Supreme Court of India on 27.11.1992, stating the problems of the indigenous people and hazards in North Bengal viz. smuggling, anti-national activities, insurgency, lawlessness and eviction of Indian nationals from their mother land for negligence of statutory authorities. The Hon’ble Court communicated as below on 7th January, 1993: “With reference to your petition dated: 27.11.1992 to Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, I am directed to say that you may approach the appropriate authorities for the desired relief.” This was duly communicated to the state government but to no effect. The second stage of movement started with a new venture with the formation of Uttar Banga Swayatta Shasan Mancha which consisted of TASSO, CPI (ML) Rana Group, Forward Block (Kamal Guha fraction), Rajbanshi Yuva Sangathan, UTJAS and KMS (Kishan O Mazdoor Sangathan) in 1993/94. The venture got abolished when Kamal Guha went back to his party after sometime. The Sangathan lost its ground towards the end of 1990, when the leaders began to nourish the dream of being the national leader leaving the nucleus of home leadership and began to tie up with Uttar Banga Tapasili Jati O Adibashi Sangathan (UTJAS)... 163 some other organizations whose attitude was against the policy of reservation. The relation of Sangathan with Kishan organization of Mr. Mahendra Singh Tikayat gave the final blow to the Sangathan. One can justifiably ask—was the movement necessary at all? The simple answer is that the slogans of the Sangathan have been accepted now by the major political parties and the intellectuals even after the lapse of three long decades. They have now become the slogans of all major parties working in North Bengal. The present position of North Bengal politics and society were foretold long before by the leaders of the Sangathan and projected not only before the public but also before the administration and the highest forum of judiciary. The judiciary has shifted the responsibility to the administration by giving direction and after communicating the direction to the administration, it has failed to take cognizance of these issues. The creation of Uttar Banga Unnayan Parshad by the Govt. of West Bengal also vindicates the cause of the Sangathan and the point that UTJAS movement was in right direction. The Problem was with the Leadership. The only other trouble with the political leaders and intellectuals is that they think that it is only they who should be the fate makers of these ill-fated people, who should never be allowed to speak in their own voice led by their own men. The so called pioneers want that the indigenous people should remain with the so called mainstream as good and loyal slaves as “his masters’ voice”. Since 1864, history of this zone speaks that the best slave be rewarded with the best prize and the problem lies therein. Today people of this area need their own men to speak in their own voice for the development of their culture, language, history and economy. It can therefore, be safely concluded that the mission of 164 Socio-Political Movements in North Bengal

UTJAS was not wrong; rather it was and still it remains the final slogan needed for the all round development of North Bengal and its people.

REFERENCES Charter of demands adopted in Central/Annual conferences held for the years 1981 at Atharakhai, 1982 at Raiganj, 1983 at Siliguri, 1984 at Jalpaiguri, 1985 at Cooch Behar, 1987 at Alipurduar and 1989 at Kaliganj. News items on UTJAS published in Ananda Bazar, Statesman, Uttar Banga Sambad and Telegraph during the period 11.04.1980 to 12.08.1980. News items published in Jugantar on 18.05.1980, 25.09.1985 and 09.11.1986. News items published in Janapath Samachar on 13.09.1985, 22.09.1986, 25.02.1987, 22.08.1987, 29.09.1987, 29.10.1987 and 01.07.1988. News items published in Kalantar on 07.07.1980 and Ananda Bazar on 06.10.1985. News items published in Uttar Banga Sambad on 07.07.1980, 19.09.1986, 29.11.1986, 22.10.1987. News items published in Statesman on 26.09.1985 and 27.10.1987. News items published in Aajkal on 14.10.1987. News items published in Dainik Tribritta on 22.06.1988. Press notes and publications of UTJAS. News items published in The Indian Express on 21.03.2007.

  