RAJBANSHI PRIDE

September 25, 2012

KNOW ABOUT RAJBANSHI KSHATRIYAS IN EASTERN/NORTH-EASTERN INDIA

Hindu Rajbanshi community is the only ‘Kshatriya Varna’ people in West Bengal, Assam and in the entire Northeast India. These Rajbanshi speaking people numbering more than two crore, ordinarily reside in strategically located areas of whole of North Bengal (barring its hilly terrains), lower Assam, western part of Meghalaya, Purnia and Kishanganj districts of eastern Bihar, two districts of eastern Nepal, northern Bangladesh and their adjoining regions from the earliest times of India’s existence. They have a glorious history (latest being the Koch Empire that flourished during sixteenth century and ruled Cooch Behar till 1949) but for socio-economic, linguistic and political reasons they are now on the brink of losing their identity, losing their homeland and leading a life of neglect.

Due to political dominance of the culturally rich mainstream Bengalis of West Bengal and Assamese in Assam, Gorkhas in Nepal, Mainstream Biharis in Bihar and so on, indigenous Rajbanshi people have lagged behind in all spheres of life in the Indian society.

Following facts substantiate the pathetic position of Rajbanshi people:

Among Bengalis there are four main ‘Varnas’ i.e. Brahman, Kayastha, Baishya and Shudra. Thus, being the only Kshatriyas, Rajbanshis differ from mainstream Bengalis in West Bengal. They are seldom heard, seen and best neglected by the media. High profile Bengalis dominate in socio-economic, cultural, linguistic and political area in West Bengal. In North Bengal, Rajbanshis are majority in rural areas but not in urban areas. Thus, political dominance of mainstream Bengalis over Rajbanshis is prominent. There is no matrimonial relationship takes place between mainstream Bengalis and Rajbanshi people. Although, during Census operation, erroneously Rajbanshis are projected as Bengalis, actual population of Rajbanshis in West Bengal is estimated to be one crore. In West Bengal, Rajbanshi people have been given constitutional status as ‘SC’.
In Kishanganj & Purnia districts in Bihar, Rajbanshis are predominant in rural areas. Their population is estimated to be around 20 lac in Bihar. In Bihar, they are of general caste but they have hardly any say in Bihar politics.
Lower Assam (Districts-Dhubri,Kokrajhar. Bongaogaon, Goalpara, Kamrup and others), especially in rural areas, Rajbanshis(Koch Rajbongshi as they are known) form the majority. In Assam, for ten years in 80’s-90’s, they were given ‘ST’ status. Now also, some groups fighting for ST status, not knowing that being majority ST status brings down job reservation quota. Feeling of ‘Kshatriya’ appears to be lacking among Koch Rajbonghsis. Their population is estimated to be 50 lacs.
In Meghalaya, Rajbanshis are found in Garo Hills areas. Their population is estimated to be around 10 lac.
In Tripura, ethnic people such as illustrious music director late SD Barman are supposed to be belonging to ‘Kshatriya Varna’ but, most of the ethnic people of Tripura are given ‘ST’ status, which have brought down to minority in job opportunities. Tripura has been dominated by Bengalis in all fields. Thus, it is difficult to count Kshatriya people in Tripura.
In Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram, original inhabitants are Tribals(ST). However, number of Rajput Kshatriya coming to these States for business and settled, whose number is negligible.
In Nepal, Jhapa and Biratnagar areas have the majority of Rajbanshi people. They are proud of being Kshatriya. Their population is estimated to be around 20 lac. However, political leadership among Rajbanshi people is yet to develop.
In Bangladesh, Northern districts(Rajshahi Division), Rajbanshi were dominant till 1947. Still, a large number of Rajbanshis are residing in these areas. Their number is estimated to be around 5 lac.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC, LINGUISTIC, CULTURAL & POLITICAL ISSUES

Wrongful and Hasty Merger of Cooch Behar State with West Bengal on January 1, 1950. No role was given in State Re-organisation Commission (SRC) to any Rajbanshi leader, only mainstream Bengali, Assamese and Bihari leaders were heard in the SRC meetings. Thus, Rajbanshi issues were neglected.
Being an old language, spoken over 2 crore people, has not been constitutionally recognized and placed in eighth schedule of Indian Constitution.
Assurances given by then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru and Home Minister Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel to Cooch Behar king Maharaja Jagadippendra Narayan during the merger with Indian dominion in 1949 to look after political interests of Rajbanshis have not been fulfilled. Aspirations of the subjects of erstwhile Cooch Behar state majority of who are Rajbanshi speaking people have not been fulfilled so far.
Erstwhile people of Cooch Behar kingdom (Category ‘C’ State during merger in 1949) i.e. Rajbanshi speaking people have not been given separate State despite their long pending demand.
As indicated in the merger instrument of Cooch Behar state, soldiers of Narayani Sena of Cooch Behar were not given due recognition in Indian Army. Demand for raising a Regiment in their name such as ‘Narayani Regiment’ has not materialized.
Any rightful demand or agitation for political rights by Rajbanshi people is seen by West Bengal Govt. and Assam Govt. as revolt against the State because of which these people are under perpetual fear.
Talking in favour of Rajbanshis is seen communal or a crime, which is actually not so. What could be communal is to overlook these poor people totally and suppressing their political aspirations.
Any rise in political leadership among the Rajbanshis is best discouraged and disunity among them is always encouraged by one and all. *******************************************************