The fast and furious race for separate States

Samarjit Kambam *

The proposed Kuki State and territories demarcated as belonging to the Nagas in the map of Manipur :: Pix - TSE

The nod of acceptance for creation of Telangana as a separate state from Andhra Pradesh by the UPA government has stirred a hornet's nest and is tantamount to opening the Pandora's Box. Every demand for a separate state has got its own linguistic, historical, cultural and other relevance. Of course the issue of a separate Telangana State has been a long pending issue having its own significant relevance. 'Divisive Politics', it may be, to gain political mileage with the underneath leitmotif of garnering vote banks by the UPA government.

Nevertheless, the creation of Telangana cropped up with brainstorming sessions by the Central Cabinet Committee and it may be a virtuous ultimatum by the UPA Govt that Telangana's issue is rational, reasonable and justified. But the Telangana effect has created such a hideous repercussion that numerous demands for creation of separate states in other parts of India viz Vidharva in Maharashtra, Bodoland, Karbiland, Kamatpur, Koch Rajbongshi, Bokajan etc in Assam, Garoland in Meghalaya, Gorkhaland in West Bengal etc are collectively cropping up at an unprecedentedly short notice.

The indigenous groups of people of the respective states, after intolerable years of neglect by their respective governments have the belief and faith that creation of their own separate states being run by their own leaders will solve all problems viz agriculture, power, water, safety, jobs, health & education, IT sector etc with agitation as a tool or just like a magic wane for carving out their own state. But the result of creation of new states can be catastrophic if things go otherwise even though the identity, established customs and cultural heritage of the particular groups may be preserved.

Presently, the scenario prevailing in India regarding demand of separate states is akin to an atomic fission. If the Central Government succumbs to the numerous demands for separate states, then even Bangladeshis who came as refugees or infiltrators as a result of porous India-Bangladesh border and dirty political games played by some highly wronged self-minded politicians with the myopic view of gaining more voters may come up with demand for a separate state.

The disappointing part is 'separatist sentiments' will definitely crop up with creation of separate states thereby harbouring more hatred amongst various communities and strata of society which in the long run will be detrimental and hazardous to the nation. Mamata Banerjees' bold statement, "'Enough is enough, there will be no separate Gorkhaland in Darjeeling, I am very rough and tough. Do not force me to take strong action" and Tarun Gogoi, Assam's Chief Minister's statement, "I am not going to divide Assam. We all need to live together, stop bandh culture and go for work culture" are protective shields or firewalls that will prevent the State of Assam and West Bengal from many chaos, ethnic clashes, anarchy etc in the years to come.

In Manipur also, the Telangana effect has given a high-dose shot of renewed zeal and vigour to the Kukis, one of the major indigenous ethnic community of Manipur to go for a separate Kuki-land. Every time my heart sank when I see the map for demand of Separate Kuki state and Greater Nagalim in a mini state like Manipur with an area of only 22,327 sq kms. Manipur is also a mini India. There are many communities, castes and tribes in Manipur. Again, there are other ethnic groups and under the Kukis, same is the case with Nagas also.

Once the leaders of the state succumbs to the demand of a greater Nagalim or a separate Kuki state or homeland, the remaining innumerable organisations/factions may again come up afresh for their own homeland or separate states. And if things go that way, then the situation may further transcend to such a state that every locality of the particular community may come up with their share of a separate state or homeland. The result will be total chaos, anarchy hatred, separatist sentiments and more ethnic clashes.

How mighty the Soviet Union was before it crumbled into many states or nations. The Soviet Union was the pioneer of space-age programs. In fact, the Soviets were the first to send a human, namely Yuri Gagarin to outer space. Now, the lion(Soviet Union) has become a lamb and the Unites States of America, a conglomerate of fifty states sharing the same sovereignty has become the guardian of the world and still going strong with China following just a step behind.

The Hindus and Muslims co-existed peacefully before the subcontinent was bifurcated into India and Pakistan. Imagine, how the other nations of the world would've admired and viewed with awe and envy at the size, power and most importantly 'unity' if India and Pakistan were not divided and remained as one whole united nation.

The KSDC (Kuki State Demand Council) is an umbrella organization of various Kuki outfits. Once a separate Kuki state is created, then there is no assurance that the numerous other Kuki organizations/outfits will not come up for their own separate states or homelands.

In the proposed map of a separate Kuki state, Tamenglong, considered as a stronghold district of both the Nagas and Kukis is also included. So, the inevitability of another ethnic clash between the two communities is brimming clearly and the delicate fabric of prevailing peaceful atmosphere of co-existence is hanging by a thread.

The memories of Naga and Kuki clash some years back where many lives of both communities were lost and many houses turned into ashes gave us goosebumps and our hearts bled with sadness. During that ethnic clash we really shared the grief of irreparable loss of both communities, prayed and hoped for the bloodshed to end as we co-existed as ethnic brothers and sisters since many centuries back.

The most important step for the Central Government i.e. UPA Government is to send a strong message to the various groups that creation of Telangana state is a separate issue, not to be misunderstood as a model for creation of newer states. The Central Government must push the panic button and make known to these separatist groups that agitation is no guarantee for materialization of creation of a separate state or homeland.

The misconception that agitation is the key to a separate state should be dealt with in a very unique and firm way, otherwise wrong messages may go the groups demanding for separate state or homelands. In this digital era, South Korea has already come up with electric passenger bus and other vehicles chargeable from the very road they are moving while we are wasting our mental resources and breaking our heads for creation of separate states.

Let's not look behind but look forward. Let us not think only for ourselves, lets think for our children, the future generation to come up as a generation without any separatist thoughts. Let them grow up with the mindset of Universal Brotherhood. Lets not forget that "United we stand, Divided we fall".