Polarization to unification ethnicity in turning point
Sanjib Deb
September 23, 2024, 08:30:14
The indication given in the headlines of North East Colors on September 20, 2024 that the ‘Meeting on Motha pact may be a turning point’ has come true as the meeting held in Delhi on Friday has scripted a new dimension in the ethnic relations between various communities in the state especially the tribals and the Bengalies. The meeting adopted specific resolutions to ensure restoration of the age-old communal harmony that was disrupted during the last four and half decades.
The worst part of the four and half decade long strife was total polarization of the people on the basis of their ethnic identity in which the people belonging to a certain community had to abandon their home where they had been residing since long. The other community also did not see any major development and was suffering from a sense of deprivation. The meeting attended by the representatives of the Union Home Ministry, the state Government and TIPRA Motha has tried to address all these issues.
Similar attempts were there earlier also but most of them ended with leap services only as all were shy about entering into the main problem. The notable difference this time is that the participants in the meeting did not take shelter behind any smoke and clearly mentioned the problem between the tribals and the Bengalies. All earlier attempts went in vain as all discussions used to remain tilted in one side only and nothing comprehensive emerged.
A notable change this time is that the Royal scion Pradyot Bikram Kishor Debbarman who was earlier blamed for his opinions on different issues has taken a bold stand this time and submitted a comprehensive proposal to bring a permanent solution of the problem. The proposal tried to address the concerns of both the sides, the Bengalis and the Tribals. The meeting also appreciated the matter and reportedly agreed to make a comprehensive package to address the problems of both the sides. These include compensation to the victims of insurgency, restoration of land rights of the people who were evicted from their land etc. There are several groups of people who have been agitating for the last few decades demanding restoration of their land rights and compensation. The new move will be a solace for them.
The entire move can be termed as a journey from polarization to unification. The process of polarization in the state between the tribals and the Bengalis was started in 1978 since the Left Front Government came into power and its dominant partner adopted a divide and rule policy. The 1980 riot widened the division and the rulers of the day took a policy of maintaining a unity among the communities keeping the divisions alive instead of allowing them to merge into one. The following years witnessed a series of events but the lack of a comprehensive initiative failed to give expected results. The Friday initiative is giving an impression that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
(Tripurainfo)