The Tribes of Tripura and the Role of Communists
By Jiban Reang*
(*This
article written by him in bengali was published on 19-04-1992)
The
Communists propagate vehemently making the Tripura royal and Congress rulers responsible
for the present crisis that is being faced by the tribal people in Tripura. But
Congress leaders do not oppose it or rather maintain silence over it. In fact,
whether the royal rulers or the Congress leaders are really responsible for the
crisis? What does the political analysis explain? When India attained
independence in 1947, what was the condition of the tribes in other States?
There were only three youths who passed metric in Tripura State. There was no
school at all. They were the ruler of a full fledged State after 42 years of
India’s independence. What was the status of Mizoram when the people of tribes
in Tripura were under the rule of Kings? In regard to their right to education,
economic and acquiring political rights. Comparably, Tripura had how many
schools? What was percentage of educated people ? The answers to these
questions could certainly be given by the tribal communist leaders. The last
king and ruler of Tripura Bir Bikram was of the stature and with the
personality of having political farsightedness in him at the time when he was a
ruler of Tripura and India attained independence. On having analyzed the
political situations, he (the king) took several steps for the protection of
the people belonging to tribes of Tripura. He (the last king) knew that when
India would attain independence, the powers and authority in terms of
administration in India would go to the hands of the Indian National
Congress(INC). therefore, he constantly maintained a liaison with all India
Congress leaders. On the other hand, he organized the people of tribes in
Tripura and constituted a political organization known as “Tripur Sangha” in
order to retain political and economic powers in the hands of the leadership of
tribes by merging it in to the Indian National Congress(INC). He declared
reservation on land for the tribes. He issued arm license for their self
defense to each and every households. Besides, many such other preventive steps
were taken by him in the interest of his subjects. The so called Communists
leaders who were unable to foresee outcome and who had knowingly committed blunders
could not perceive the known result of the equation. Even though they are able
to realize its effect, there is no other way out other than keeping silence due
to the changed situation or they have no path to oppose it.
What was the population in Tripura
as per the account of statistics? The population of Tribes was about 600,000
(six lakhs), the Muslims were about 100,000(one lakh), the Manipuris were about
30,000(thirty thousands) and the Bengali Hindus were about 70,000(seventy
thousands). The tribes followers of King and the tribal Communists leaders
taken together could have had merged with the INC, perhaps then the
administrative powers of Tripura would been vested in the hand of the tribal
leadership. Actually the non-tribal communist leaders were able to persuade the
tribal communist leaders that if they merged with INC; the leaders would be
from amongst the educated tribes of town i.e; Agartala, the people belonging to
tribes hailing from Hills would have no opportunity to lead. Till the time the
people of tribes shall continue to be majority in terms of population;
whosoever may be the part of any other political party, the control of
political power would not be in the hands of non-tribes. This was the fact of
the matter that could not be perceived by the then young and enthusiastic with
full of vigor Dasharatha Deb and his followers; but the non-tribe communist
leaders like Nripen Chakraboty, Biren Datta and others could rightly read the
pulse of politics in Tripura. After premature and untimely demise of the last
King Bir Bikram; all the people of tribes became followers of the tribal
communist leaders. They did not simply become members of their party; it was
only when a few hundreds of them were assassinated and intimidated for taming
them. In other words, a civil war was imposed amongst the tribes. It was
instigated by the tribal communist leaders with a intended purpose* that they
knew well. There was no way out for its ventilation. Otherwise, they feared
that their commitment of stupidity would come in to the light. This was the
reason that the tribal communist leaders were responsible for the debacle and
crisis faced by the tribes in Tripura at present. Yet they held the Congress
responsible for arriving at the present condition. The Congress did never
protest vehemently against this propaganda of the Communists and they prefer to
maintained silence. The Congress in the saddle of State administration deprived
the tribes of getting all benefits for them from the Government. On the other
hand, the communists launched movement demanding food grains and stuff,
sanction of financial assistance in the form of grants. They did not go in to
depth of the fundamental problems as faced by the tribes and about what would
be their future. There was some interlink and understanding between the
Congress and Communists leadership in Tripura which could not be ruled out. In
order that the tribal youths were not to be out of their clutch and control – to
prevent them of being aware of their rights – for this reason an organization
in the name and style “Shanti Sena” meaning “Peace Force” was formed enrolling
thousands of tribal youths who wore red caps. Now, the Congress workers
resorted to rigging of casting of votes with red caps on their heads on the day
of poll which led to stoppage of wearing of red caps by Shanti Sena. This was
the extreme disaster on the lives of tribes in Tripura. In totality, due to the
blunders committed by the (gyanpapi)tribal communist leaders, the Congress leaders
gained a ground. As a result of your commission of blunders we have benefited
which needed not to be elaborated. This was the attitude of the Congress. If
the matter as to how the Congress leaders had a gain is was shown pin pointing
it, the tribes would be establishment of their rights and they would be under
the clutch of the communists. Therefore, it was better to remain silent before
the final and climax for striking the tribes to the extinct condition is
reached. Because, the communists in the name democratic movements in a very
tactical manner the people belonging to tribes in Tripura were distanced them
from launching movements for their constitutional rights. So we could see those
tribal communists leaders were the ushers of so called democratic movements who
were praised with terms of adjectives like they are the bridge between the tribes
and non-tribes or connecting leaders between tribes and non-tribes. What was
the role of communists when movements were launched for the Tripura Tribal Areas
Autonomous District Council(TTAADC)? No body knew black smithy and pottery “Da
takna rwngya/ Twk takna rwngya” there was no need for demand of TTAADC.
The Communists supported later on for the cause and need of their
political survival amongst the people of
tribes. The issue had not sunk in to the oblivion chapter of the mind of common men of the tribes. It was herd to have
uttered by some blind communist tribal followers that our Mukti Parishad is the
lone tribal organization which had been struggling for their rights for the
last 47 years. It was also uttered by them that the population of tribes in
Tripura was 70% before 42 years which is gone down at 21% at present. A question arises as to
whether these communist leaders were blind folded for 42 years? Or they
consumed opium and remained insensitive
on the matter. What was/is the usefulness or meaningfulness of such
organization in existence? There is no doubt; this organization was/is made
functional for their own selves
interest. When Left Front (of which CPI(M) is one of the partners) was
ruling in the State, it was stated that the Chief Minister asked an educated
tribal Congress leaders, “Do you also suppose to be shouting loud for tribes’
interest”?. The gentlemen kept himself silent when he was said so. The Chief
Minister continued to utter, “ Either you be the Congressmen or be communist”.
“There is no point of point shouting for tribes’ interest, the non-tribes are
already 70%, is there any political future!”. But he entered in to Tripura just
before 42 years when the population of tribes in Tripura was 70%. It was a
matter of surprise that in a very tactful manner, the tribal communist leaders
were put to work for his objectives and he made secure his generations’
political future. After a few days of the formation of alliance Government
under the leadership of Mr. Samir Barman as Chief Minister, a political
analysis written by one Debashish Thakur was published in which the connotation
of it was that Dasharatha Deb was made leader of their Party over night was due
to for capturing the power in administration as they could not apprehend its
actual p outcome. In countering it, Nripen Chakraborty had written an article
which was published in Daily Desher Katha and expressed that Debashish Thakur
could not accept the making of a tribal leader in to a leader of left party.
If this post is filled up by a non-tribe
leader, then Debashish Thakur and others would have nothing to say. The tribes of this State were once 70% but
they are only 20% today. To make one of their leaders as leader of the party is a matter of great pride!
Actually as to whether Nripen Chakraborty did really think for the interest of
the tribes? Or whether in a tactful manner he engaged wittily himself in
devastating or destroying the tribes! If the Left Front would have been really
sympathetic, the period of rule for 10(ten) years of their party in power,
could have vested 5 (five) years of it to the hand of Dasharatha Deb making him
as Chief Minister. As to why this had not been made possible? In reality, he
was the main spring for making the tribes extinct from the face of the land on
which their 184 king ruled. To suppressed this truth, he had resorted to
thousands of untruths and falsehood. The
population of tribes as they embraced communism which embedded them above the religion,
caste, creed and race. They were the
members of the party for poor and down trodden people. Then why did Nripen
Chakraborty came away to India after its partition? He was the Secretary of the
Communist Party in undivided Bengal. He could have worked and preached for the
down trodden poor people of East Pakistan (erstwhile East Bengal) which is
presently Bangladesh. Communist leader Muzzafar Ahmed – being a Muslim he did
not leave India for Muslim majority country Pakistan (Bagladesh). He preached
communism and humanity in India itself. Like Nripen Babu and Jyoti Babu, manu
Muslim leaders left India after partition for Pakistan and established
politically themselves. Who were the
followers of humanity for down trodden people!! Were it Muzzafar Ahmed or
Nripen, Jyotibabu and other communists. Did tribal leaders in Tripura realize
it? Could you differentiate the face or musk of your dear friends? Dasharatha
Deb in his politically analytic article, “Samantabader Matadarsher Biroddhe
Lorai” which he wrote in the first week of February. There is no doubt that the
content of article was mostly grounded on the truth. He intended to project
himself that he was not responsible or part of the tribes’ setback and prove
that he had done a lot for tribes. He had tried to prove by pin pointing that the
Royal Rulers and the Congress were responsible and principal cause for debacle
of the tribes in Tripura. But he could not succeed. In his writing (7th
Edition) , he was compelled to mention that the tribal leaders were made to
remain used (by the Communist Party) in the name of ‘Democratic’ movement and
inner ‘Party Discipline’ which proved to be detrimental to the interest of the
tribes in Tripura. He made a mention of Late Hemanta Debbarma in his article.
Had Hemanta Debbarma lived then whether he would have acceded that he was
instrumental in working against the interest of the tribes? Certainly, he would
not. Biren Datta and Mohan Choudhury made use of lone Late Hemanta Debbarma for
establishment colony for rehabilitation of Bengali refugees in tribal areas
like Burakha, Noktali, Kumaribil, Lefunga and etc. Dasharath Deb could not left
out from being instrument like Hemanta Debbarma and swear for it by an
affidavit. The truth was the interests of the tribes was jeopardized due to
political awareness/consciousness amongst the people of the tribes that even
Dasharatha Deb would not be able to disagree. Mohan Choudhury was Executive
Secretary of the Party when Dasharatha Deb was the Member of Parliament. He
wrote an indecorous letter (!) to Dasharatha Deb and the main issue of the
letter was Dasharatha Deb was having a good relations with Jawaharlal Nehru;
therefore, he (Dasharatha Deb) should have placed a demand to form a
Legislative Assembly in Tripura. Dasharatha Deb was not doing so. The loyalty
of Dasharatha Deb towards the Party was on the decrease. He would have to prove
his loyalty placing the demand before the Prime Minister in getting a
Legislative Assembly formed in Tripura. As to why his integrity was questioned
although he was also member of the same Party! Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime
Minister of India and the Congress was the oldest and gigantic political party
in India. Dasharath was popular tribal leader. It was not surprising that the
Prime Minister would not like draw him in to his party. There was no doubt that
Mohan Choudhury had written indecorous letter doubting his integrity. Because,
had Dasharatha Deb joined the Congress then, the Communists would have been
nowhere thereafter. It was heard from Dasharatha Deb who used to tell others
about 25-30 years before from now, “ Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to make me the
Chief Commissioner of Tripura but I did not agree upon the proposal”. This is no
longer heard anymore. Why does not he tell about it? No body knows. Late
Bangshi Thakur (Amarendra Debbarma) told! Dasharatha Deb, “ Let us make an ally
or extend our hand with Congress in Delhi and be in the saddle of State
administrative power”. But Dasharatha said “No” with arrogance(!) to this
proposal, “We will uproot the tree completely” i.e; we will oust them. All
these words were uttered to us by Bangshi Thakur during his life time (that is
before his death). Dasharath Deb might disowned it but his conscience would not
permit him to disown. It would be seen from the analysis that the non-tribe
voters cast their votes for two seats of Lok Sabha in favour of the Communist
Party and in Legislative Assembly in favour of the Congress Party. Therefore,
it can be concluded that Dasharatha Deb did not possess political consciousness
even equivalent to the ordinary non-tribal voters. But this derivation would
not be proper as seemed that he was in pursuit of his own gainful activities
that he was woefully attracted. It is best known that he would avoid the above
argument by enclosinghimself in an envelop of ideology that he professed. What
is wretched conditions of the Communist ideology? Without having alternatives
before the tribes for future as to why some tribal youths are crawling behind
the mirage of Communist leaders! Perhaps! they are behind the allurement of
becoming an MLA in place of their fathers for Rs.400 monthly emoluments. The
History will not pardon anyone. I an a tribal communist, an active member of
Mukti Parishad and I can foresee the future of tribes in the utter darkness.
Will tribes be able to live with their rights in Tripura? This is not only a question to myself
and to many other activists-thinkers of Mukti Parishad. I could suggest two
alternatives for the tribes in Tripura: One is “ Be self sacrificed” ; and (2) the other one is,
the provision of “First Schedule under
the Constitution of India should be introduced to Autonomous District Council”.
If this demand ( the second alternative) is fulfilled, the devolution of the
powers in a State to the people of tribes in Tripura. The tribes can
participate or be a part of or merged with any nationalized political party in
India. Some of the tribal youths have gone astray and taken up arms in their
hands. They should rethink today. There is dissatisfaction in the minds of
tribes. But to ventilate such dissatisfaction – taking up arms can not be the
right way. In order to establish self rights within the frame work of the
constitution of India, there should be launching massive awareness campaign
amongst the people of tribes on the strength of democratic path. The people of
tribes in Tripura can not separate themselves from 80 Crores of people of
India. We should find out a solution to our problems within the frame work of
Indian Constitution. Because thousands years from now, we are deeply rooted with the cultures and
tradition of India. No body will
de-accede it. The people of the tribes in Tripura can not be allowed to be
extinct from the face of the world like it happens in case of birds and
animals. The time has come for the tribal communist to deeply rethink and they
can not escape from their responsibilities by merely blaming upon the Royal
rulers and the Congress. They will have stand to give witness like an accused
standing at the witness box of the history. But whether the people of tribes
will be still in existence! The tribal Communist leaders had committed
unpardonable blunders but nothing knocks at the door of their humanity and
consciousness.
* This article was
written in Bengali by Jiban Reang and published by himself on 19-04-1992. The
translation in to English version is done by C . R Debbarma for facilitating
the readers who are enthusiastic to know about the wretched conditions of the
tribes in Tripura(India).
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