This story is from April 16, 2019

In Jalpaiguri, a battle of identities

In Jalpaiguri, a battle of identities
Jalpaiguri: Flanked by lush green forests, rivers and tea gardens, Jalpaiguri is home to diverse cultures and identities. Primarily a land of Rajbanshis, this north Bengal district bordering Bangladesh has been in a state of flux since British planters came to the Hills and foothills way back in 1883. This was much before the migration from neighbouring districts after 1947.
The migration continues.

The Malbazar assembly segment in the Dooars has of late seen a surge in Gorkha and Nepali settlers in Odlabari, causing concern among old-time Bengali settlers. The southern part of rural Jalpaiguri, namely Berubari, Haldibari and Mandalghat, is home to new migrants from Bangladesh. Jalpaiguri town, however, is dominated by the educated Bengali middle class and old Marwari traders in Bowbazar, who look at Siliguri with contempt.
“Malbazar was mostly a Bengali township and the only non-Bengali population was the Adivasi people living in the tea gardens. The Nepali-speaking people are the newcomers. We are getting outnumbered,” said septuagenarian Tushar Mukherjee of Malbazar.
Hanuman temples have come up in Malbazar, Binnaguri and Banerhat, and a north Indian culture is developing among the dwellers. Even Adivasis have started worshiping idols, which is very much contrary to their faith and belief, bringing about a change in an area where the Left writ used to run till even a few years ago. Even Rajbanshis — sons of the soil — visit these temples. They are fast adapting to north Indian culture.

The picture is different in the south. Muslims from Bangladesh have come to settle down in the hamlets of Berubari, Haldibari, Kadobari and Mandalghat. “Muslim population has alarmingly increased in our area and the administration is overlooking it, making life harder for us,” said Kulesh Roy, who works as a cook in a Jalpaiguri restaurant.
With BJP declaring to implement NRC in Bengal once they come to power, they have gained a considerable support base among Hindus.
TMC is bypassing these identity problems, and putting stress on development.
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