By Naba Bhattacharjee
The corona virus related racial profiling of north easterners in certain cities of mainland India is deplorable and unethical. Such instances need to be dealt with firmly and protection extended by respective government, as per law entitled. Civil societies there must also intervene as deterrent to denounce such discrimination of fellow country man and woman. Similarly, cases of intolerance towards non indigenous population in certain states of north east including our own are also discriminatory and painful. Equally agonizing are cases of discrimination against medical doctors, nurses, security personnel and all others associated with maintenance of essential services, round the clock, in the face of present crisis, risking their life to ensure safety and security of all citizens. The COVID19 phenomenon has shown that the world is actually a global village. Under such circumstances it is time to shed even the modicum of inhibitions of one Indian against another. Movement and settlement of Indians from one part of the country to another, validated by our constitution, has taken place since centuries and continues till date, prompted by various socio-economic, education, professional and other factors.
A brief insight to the historical aspect shall reflect that non-indigenous settlement in our state of Meghalaya actually commenced mainly during the period of British colonization. The Bengalis were mainly brought by the British from undivided Bengal to Shillong, Tura and few border towns and engaged mainly as officials in middle and lower rung of administration and education. The Assamese were engaged in government and teaching jobs, Gorkhas came as soldiers while Marwaris, Sindhis, Sikhs and Biharis engaged in trade, commerce and specific skilled jobs. British for their colonial interests encouraged the permanent settlement of such non-indigenous who legitimately became residents since then and with passage of time their succeeding generations settled here, mostly as teachers, professionals, employees of central government departments and undertakings, or engaging in small business, financial management, lawyers, physicians, media, sports fraternity, etc. All of them contributed immensely to welfare and development during the Assam period and later as a Meghalayan. Similarly, students from the indigenous community also travelled to Kolkata and Dacca for education in absence of a university in the region then and subsequently to all parts of India for pursuing both higher studies and professional engagement. Migration of Bengali Hindus, as a consequence of partition of the country during independence, on religious lines, engineered by Nehru & Co in cahoots with the British, was due to the circumstances thrust forcibly, wherein overnight they were extricated from their home and hearth of centuries. This migration was not by choice but due to compulsion wherein saving one’s life and that of the family was the sole concern. The generosity and human consideration of the Khasi and Garo community came to the fore at that critical juncture which extended safe haven to the ill-fated victims of genocide associated with partition. Thus, it is a travesty of justice to profile such permanent settlers and their descendants, who are Indians, as “Bangladeshis”, “foreigners” et al, since such settlement took place, in many instances, several decades before Bangladesh came into existence. Population of such permanent settlers in Meghalaya is on the sharp decline and in the next census is likely to be on the lower side of single digit, due to the exodus over last few decades on account of various factors like insecurity, fear of social discrimination, lack of employment and livelihood opportunities etc.
While the issue of potential influx of illegal migrants to the state from neighbouring countries, and apprehensions of the indigenous community is genuine, considering their minuscule population in national context; the non-indigenous Meghalayan is equally concerned about illegal migration. Solution to this vexed issue lies in the political and government domain to identify without ambiguity the real infiltrators who pose the existential danger to the indigenous population and other Indians by initiating all tangible and concrete measures possible to ensure that a permanent mechanism is put in place to halt this menace once for all. This threat of influx can be tackled jointly by all true Meghalayan in a similar fashion as we unitedly battle to overcome the Corona pandemic today. Racial, facial and all other forms of discrimination hurts each human being equally – irrespective of caste, creed, religion and residence.