RAJBANSHI PRIDE

Are we all aware of the fact that Koch empire had actually unified whole of north east with India during sixteenth century?  Are we all aware of the fact that Koch Behar empire never allowed foreign powers to rule north-eastern part of India absolutely? Are we all aware of the fact that Rajbanshi communities are original Indians ? Are we all aware of the fact that Cooch Behar should have been given the status of No.1 State after independence?  Not going by the political reasons as to why it was not done so, we should look into matter in today's perspective. Six decades after independence, India has made lot of progress almost in all spheres. So, have done its neighbours Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. Mainstream people of these countries have made lot of progress including Assamese in Assam, Bengalis in West Bengal and Biharis in Bihar. But, what about Rajbanshis the ethnic people, who have been residing in these States from time immemorial and constitute majority in rural

The news on likely grant of scheduled Tribe status to Koch-Rajbanshis in Assam has been taken by Rajbanshi communities as a whole with mixed feelings. While the intellectuals among them are shy and silent about it, most of the younger lot are happy. After all, they are likely to get jobs. But, is it enough? The question goes unanswered. It happened earlier also; ST status was granted to Koch-Rajbongshis through an ordinance in Assam once before but was in vogue for only a decade. Is the move a step to put the clock back once again?  Article 342 of the Constitution of India notifies Scheduled Tribes as having five major characteristics - primitive traits, geographical isolation, distinct culture, shyness of contact with community at large and economic backwardness. Do these characteristics still exist in Koch-Rajbongshsis of Assam? Not going by the answer in proper, let us see its implications.  This time, motive of grant of ST status is different – to stop foreigners (Banglade