LEPCHAS (AN ETHNIC/TRIBAL GROUP), THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF DARJEELING AND HUMAN RIGHTS

LEPCHAS (AN ETHNIC/TRIBAL GROUP), THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF DARJEELING AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Source: http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Soc/soc.rights.human/201108/msg00039.html

From: DIPAK DE <ranjan2dev@xxxxxxx> Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2011 08:23:36 0700 (PDT) LEPCHAS (AN ETHNIC/TRIBAL GROUP), THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF DARJEELING, THEIR DEMANDS AND HUMAN RIGHTS DIPAK DE [HUMAN RIGHTS ACITIVIST; M.PHIL IN HUMAN RIGHTS] Darjeeling was within the territory of Kingdom of Sikkim until the year 1835. The area of the Sikkim Kingdom was beyond Darjeeling up to the east side of the river Arun now in Nepal. Sikkims rulers claimed sovereignty as far west as the Arun, and Bhotia gowas (chiefs) collected taxes in some areas on the behalf, (John Whelpton: 2005). The British restored to Sikkim part of its territories that had earlier been taken by Nepal&&.The eastern regions of Nepal, which also originally formed part of Sikkim but were later taken over by Nepal after their wars with Sikkim, comprised tribal groups which were distinct in culture and language&., (Nari Rustomji: 1987). The original inhabitants of Sikkim were a mild mannered gentle tribe, popularly known as Lepchas, the Indigenous people. They were few in number and the vast empty spaces and green valleys of their land attracted Tibetan immigrants (Bhutias) from the north. Sikkim is rich in forests and the valleys in the south are favourable for the cultivation of rice. Previously Lepchas were animists but after the Tibetan (Bhutias) settlement started from thirteen century and their religious influence, Lepchas are mostly converted to Buddhist (Lamaism). There was free intermarriage between Lepchas and Bhutias. Now it is accepted that the Lepchas are the aboriginals of the undivided Sikkim hills (including present day Darjeeling, some part of Nepal and Bhutan. Tibetan rulers of Sikkim reserved Dzongu, an area covering nearly 4226 square kilometres, absolutely for the Lepchas. The old Mayal Lyann, which was spread from Kanchanjunga in the north to Titaliya now in Bangladesh in the south and Ha province of Bhutan in the east to Arun river of Nepal in the west, has now been confined in some places such as Dzongu, Kalimpong etc. from Demography and Social Unrest among the Lepchas of Darjeeling by D.C. Roy, 2008.

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LEPCHAS (AN ETHNIC/TRIBAL GROUP), THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF DARJEELING AND HUMAN RIGHTS The Lepchas are considered as the original inhabitants of Sikkim Kingdom (G.A. Grierson: 1909). Lepchas are inhabited in whole of Sikkim Kingdom including Darjeeling and present Ilam district of Nepal. Sikkim is now a colony of Nepalese from Nepal. In the year 2001 the population strength of Lepchas was as in Sikkim state 35,728; in West Bengal state 32,377 including 31,210 in Darjeeling district, 780 in Jalpaiguri district; about 2,000 in Bhutan (Samasti district) and 3,660 in Nepal (Mechi Zone, Ilam district) approximately TOTAL 73,765 Lepchas. In Sikkim, Lepchas are mainly settled in Dzongu valley in North Sikkim. In Darjeeling district, they are mainly concentrated in Kalimpong subdivision. The waves of Nepali immigration into Sikkim became perceptible from as early as the last century&&..The flow came mainly from the Darjeeling district of India to the south of Sikkim and from eastern regions of Nepal contiguous to Sikkims western frontier&&&The style of the Court became progressively Tibetan, although on a more modest scale, and the Nepalese influx was apprehended as an intrusion that might endanger and disrupt the established order&&.Claude White&&..gave full support to the proNepalese party and actively encouraged the settlement of immigrants&.Claude white laid solid foundations and it was not before Sikkims original population of Lepcha and Tibetan stock found itself utterly submerged under the incoming flood of Nepalese immigrants. &..the influx of these hereditary enemies of Tibet i.e. the Nepalese, would be the surest guarantee against a revival of Tibetan influence (Nari Rustomji: 1987). Lepcha Tribal/Ethnic group is the only group which is the Indigenous people (IP) of Darjeeling district of West Bengal state and Sikkim state of India. Indigenous peoples are any ethnic/tribal groups who inhabit a geographical region with which they have long term historical connections, have not moved to any other place. Indigenous peoples are characterized by strong links to territories and surrounding natural resources; distinct social, economic and political systems: distinct language, culture and beliefs; resolve to maintain and reproduce their ancestral environments and systems as distinctive peoples and communities. Confusion exists about the original homeland of the Lepchas. The original homeland of Nepalese is Nepal. There is no homeland of false, fictitious (untrue, unnatural) socalled Gorkhas. There are a number of legends about Lepchas original habitation. One legend is they migrated from southern Tibet to Sikkim; another legend is they migrated from Assam hills and entered Sikkim as early as thirteenth century. Lepchas settled in Sikkim sometimes between ninth and thirteenth century. In 1706, the tract east of the Tista river which is now included in Kalimpong, was conquered and taken from Sikkim Kingdom by the Bhutanese (Bhutan Kingdom). Between the year 1769 to 1785, Ilam

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LEPCHAS (AN ETHNIC/TRIBAL GROUP), THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF DARJEELING AND HUMAN RIGHTS up to the territory of Darjeeling was conquered by King Prithvi Narayan Shah (former King of Gorkha Kingdom) of Nepal who founded the country Nepal in 1769 after capturing the Kathmandu valley (then known as Nepal valley). According to Census of Sikkim, in the year 1891 there was 5,762 Lepchas; in the year 1941 there was 12,523 Lepchas; in the year 1971 there was 22,376 Lepchas; in the year 1991 there was 29,854 Lepchas; in the year 2001 35,728 Lepchas in Sikkim. Lepcha population increased during the period 1891 to 2001 from 5,762 to 35,728 Lepchas in Sikkm. According to Census of Darjeeling district, in the year 1872 there was 3,952 Lepchas; in the year 1901 9,972 Lepchas; in the year 1931 12,101 Lepchas; in the year 1941 12,468 Lepchas, in the year 1951 13,168 Lepchas; in the year 1981 22,749 Lepchas; in the year 1991 26,920 Lepchas; in the year 2001 31,210 Lepchas in Darjeeling district. Lepcha population increased during the period 1872 to 2001 from 3,952 to 31,210 in Darjeeling district. According to Census, in the year 1961 there was 15,309 Lepchas; in the year 1971 14,588 Lepchas; in the year 1991 27,888 Lepchas; in the year 2001 32,377 Lepchas in West Bengal state. The small community of Lepcha (12,000) finds itself dominated by the Gurkhas and one of the complaints is that their land (the Lepcha claim to be the original inhabitants) has been gradually taken away from them by Nepalese immigrants, report of the Committee of the Partially Excluded Areas read out on 4th November 1948 in Constituent Assembly (All India Gurkha League president Damber Singh Gurung from Darjeeling district was as a coopted member of this committee). The partial exclusion of Darjeeling was recommended by the Government of Bengal not because it was considered as backward area but because it was felt that safeguards were necessary in the interests of the hill people, mentioned in this report. The Lepchas are considered to be the aboriginal inhabitants of the hilly portion of the district. At all events they are the first known occupiers of this tract and of independent Sikkim, from W.W. Hunters A Statistical Account of Bengal, 1876. The Nepalese, who form 34 per cent of the population of the district, are all immigrants from the state of Nepal to the westward. They are pushing, thriving race and the Deputy Commissioner is of opinion that they will in time occupy the whole district, mentioned in this book. By 1941, 86.8 per cent of the population in the three hill sub divisions of Darjeeling district such as Darjeeling Kalimpong and Kurseong, were Nepali speaking people and in the year 1971, 89.27 per cent were Nepali speaking people. When the East India Company in 1835, first acquired the nucleus of the Darjeeling district from the Raja of Sikkim, it was

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LEPCHAS (AN ETHNIC/TRIBAL GROUP), THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF DARJEELING AND HUMAN RIGHTS almost entirely under forest and practically uninhabited, from Bengal District Gazetteers by Arthur Jules Dash. Lepchas, the original inhabitants of the Hills, are additionally threatened by the racist attitude of GNLF whose President is on record as describing the tribals as uncivilized, very backward, whose men to naked and whose women go barebreasted and, who need to be administered centrally, compared to the civilized Nepalispeaking population, from the booklet/white paper Gorkhaland Agitation, Facts and Issues, 1987 published by Government of West Bengal. GNLF means Gorkha National Liberation Front; President of GNLF is Subash Ghisingh, GJM (Gorkha Janmukti Morcha) headed by Bimal Gurung is the breakaway group of GNLF and GJM formed on 7th October 2007, GNLF formed on 30th May 1980. Subash Ghisingh was the mentor of Bimal Gurung. Lepchas were nature worshipper (animist). During the Tibetan rule, a large number of Lepchas were converted to Buddhist (Lamaism) and during British rule, many of them converted to Christians (mainly in Darjeeling). Now among Lepchas, pure nature worshipper is almost absent. Religion is closely connected with the culture and customs. Loss of religion automatically initiates the Lepchas to switch over from their original Mun/Bongthimism (Lepcha priestess and priest) culture to either monastery oriented Lama culture or Church oriented Father culture. Sacrosanct name Darjeeling emerged from a Buddhist (Lamaism) monastery named Dorjeling monastery in Darjeeling. Dorje, ling words are Tibetan words dorje means thunderbolt (bazra), ling means place (Lamaist Buddhism) dorjeling means place of thunderbolt (bazra). This thunderbolt (bazra) is not the thunderbolt (bazra) of God Indra of Hinduism. This thunderbolt (bazra) is related with Amitabha Buddha. According to legend this monastery was built in the year circa 1765 A.D. by a section of people of Lamaist Buddhism which was once stood on Observatory Hill was formerly known. In the year circa 1815 A.D. this Dorjeling monastery was destroyed by Nepali soldiers who were Hindus when the Darjeeling was under control of Nepal. This Dorjeling monastery probably built by Lepchas as From a report dated the 18th June 1829, in which he claims to have been the only European who ever visited the place, we learn that Lloyd visited the old Goorka station called Dorjeling for six days in February 1829&&&..Darjeeling itself, though formerly occupied by a large village and the residence of one of the principal Kazis, was deserted, and the country round it was sparsely inhabited&&.The hill territory of Darjeeling having thus been ceded, General Lloyd and Dr. Chapman were sent in 1836 to explore the country&&&The country was still practically uninhabited&&&&About 10 years previously 1,200 able bodied Lepchas, forming, according to Captain Herbert, twothirds of the population of Sikkim, had been forced by the oppression of the

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LEPCHAS (AN ETHNIC/TRIBAL GROUP), THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF DARJEELING AND HUMAN RIGHTS Raja to fly from Darjeeling and its neighbourhood, and to take refuge in Nepal. What little cultivation there was, had been abandoned, Bengal District Gazetteers, Darjeeling by L.S.S.OMALLEY, 1907. It appears that Lepchas were the only inhabitant of Darjeeling. The Lepcha Associations are opposed to the idea of Gorkhaland where they would be put under the hegemony of the chauvinist aggressive GNLF. In a letter to the Chief of West Bengal Government on 10th September 1986 they have opposed the formation of Gorkhaland, reiterating that they are the original inhabitants of the Darjeeling district from the booklet/white paper Gorkhaland Agitation, Facts and Issues, 1987 published by Government of West Bengal. Gorkha means Gorkha soldier of Gorkha Regiment of Indian Army who is a Nepali. Gurkha means Gurkha soldier of Gurkha Regiment of BritishIndian Army and presently United Kingdoms Army who is a Nepali. Lahure means who was the soldier of Sikh Kingdom recruited from Lahore who was a Nepali. In Gorkha Regiment and Gurkha Regiment recruitment is/was mainly done from the Magar, Gurung, Tamang, Limbu ethnic/tribal groups of Nepal. Gorkha or Gurkha or Lahure is not the meaning of any race, ethnic group and community. According to human rights philosophy and jurisprudence, the Gorkha soldiers and Gurkha soldiers are Nepali mercenaries and they would not get the status of prisonersofwar and they would be treated as criminals. So, GORKHALAND means land of Nepali mercenaries or land of the Nepali criminals. Gorkhaland name is uncivilized and illbred. Gorkhaland name violates the SECULARISM principle of India. In the Preamble of the Constitution of India, it is mentioned WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC. Darjeeling is a sacrosanct name, which relates with Lamaist Buddhism and Lepchas of Darjeeling. This Darjeeling name cannot be changed, cannot be altered, cannot attach any name with this name, cannot be deleted and cannot be superimposed by any name. This sacrosanct Darjeeling name should be kept as it is condition. Deed of transfer of Darjeeling to British East India Company was also written in Lepcha (Rong) language. The Lepcha language was the language of the Sikkim. Many languages are taught in schools of Darjeeling but Lepchas are denied of educating themselves in their mother language which has own script and literature. The Lepcha call themselves as Rong and are known to the Tibetans as Rong pa or Munpa. Lepcha is a nickname given to them by the Nepalese. Opinions are floating that Lepcha language is gradually losses its influence to the Lepcha community. Whether a language appears to be maintained or dying depends on the collective impact of

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LEPCHAS (AN ETHNIC/TRIBAL GROUP), THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF DARJEELING AND HUMAN RIGHTS positive or negative indicators that place the language on a continuum of stable vitality, change in process due to other language interference, radical shift in process, and death. The Lepchas are mostly settled in Dzongu valley in North Sikkim. They are also settled in Kalimpong subdivision of Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Apart from Sikkim and West Bengal, Lepcha is also spoken in Bhutan (lower valleys in the west and south) and in Nepal (Mechi zone, Ilam district). Lepcha language which is also known as Rong /Rongaring/ Rongring, belongs to the TibetoBurman language subfamily under TibetoChinese language family. They are mainly agriculturalists, pastoralists. Lepcha speech community is considered constitutionally in India a Scheduled Tribe in the states of West Bengal and Sikkim. They are fast losing their cultural identity and leaning more towards Nepali social customs (Awasty: 1978). The sociopolitical dominance of the Nepali language that started from the end of 18th century exerts immense pressure in spite of that the fact that Nepali is an IndoAryan language and that Lepcha is a TibetoBurman language and that has a developed tradition. It reveals that marriages with the Bhutias were socially accepted but not with Nepali. But the modern trend speaks that the marriages with Nepali speech community is acceptable. This trend is the greatest threat to the language and to this community. As a result language shift in both the lexical and syntactic level in Nepali and Bhotia is a definite feature of the Lepcha speech community. Government of Sikkim declared Lepcha as one of the official languages along with Nepali, Hindi and English. Lepcha language is included in the curriculum only as a subject matter. Literary aspects like short stories, poems, articles, rapid readers are taught in Lepcha. But there is no scope for the development of other aspects. Traditional religious practices and Buddhism and Christianity exist side by side in Lepcha life. First major contact with the Lepcha land and people was established by the ethnic/tribal group of people from Kham, a province of Tibet sometimes during the 13th or the 14th century. About the year 1600 A.D., a branch of Tibetan Minyang dynasty from the eastern Kham province took part in the great migration of Tibetan nobles, entered Sikkim and some decades later made themselves Kings. With the establishment of Tibetan Lamaism in Sikkim in the 17th century, the Lepcha script has been developed based on the Tibetan alphabet. The Lepcha works were Tibetan scriptures translated into Lepcha to facilitate the progress of the Lamaistic Buddhism religion among the Lepchas. There were references to even earlier Lepcha manuscripts narrating Lepcha mythology and legends. The next sociopolitical phase of Lepcha life was marked by the advent of the Bhutanese and Nepalese when they attacked the eastern and western frontiers of the Sikkim, threatening the territorial integrity of Sikkim. The years 17881789 marked the

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LEPCHAS (AN ETHNIC/TRIBAL GROUP), THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF DARJEELING AND HUMAN RIGHTS invasion of Sikkim by Nepal. After that large scale Nepalese migration in Sikkim by the patronage and encouragement of the British colonial ruler almost destroyed the Lepchas and Bhutias joint control of Sikkim. Nepali immigrants broke the moral and organizational strength of Lepchas and Bhutias in Sikkim and Darjeeling district. British rule that took control in 1841 in Darjeeling district marked the advent of missionary activities which converted a section of the Lepcha community into Christianity along with teaching English language. On the other hand, Lamaist Buddhism continued its hold on the common Lepchas. This situation created two groups in Lepcha community those who got Christian education could raise their standard of living and outlook with English education, and other group still adhered to their age old traditional beliefs and customs. On the incoming Nepali community in Darjeeling district push the Lepcha community into the interiors, resulting the detriment of Lepcha language. In the year 1876 it was observed that Lepcha was the language for the entire Sikkim. The Tibetans, the Bhutias and others used to communicate in the Lepcha language. Since the death of Rev. C.G. Neible, the missionary activist, in 1865 in Darjeeling who took initiative for the betterment of Lepcha language, the Lepcha language received a set back and started to be considered as the language of the aboriginal people who are socially and culturally backward. The Lepcha as a community came under three different alien rulers Tibetans in Sikkim in 1642, Bhutanese in Damsang area in 1707 and the British in Darjeeling area after 1835. With the independence of India in 1947, merger of Sikkim Kingdom with the India in 1975 resulted in the geopolitical divisions that ultimately led to the fragmentation of the Lepcha ethnic/tribal community into smaller divisions. Recently, about 78 years, the language consciousness matter crop up among the Lepcha community not only in Darjeeling district but also in Sikkim. They realized that Lepcha language and Lepcha culture are their distinct identity and these should be preserved with honour though they are mostly bilingual. Such selfesteem of the Lepcha community may lead to revive the Lepcha language. It is observed that they projecting their folk song, folk dance, folk music, traditional dress as a part of conscious effort. They realized that taking the modern education system, side by side they can develop their own language, culture for their distinct identity. It is also observed that the Lepcha speech community does not show any sign for linguistic shrinkage, and also does not show evidence for language shift in the truest sense of the term. First Lepcha Association was established in 1925. It had affiliation with the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikash Parishad (ABAVP) in the year 1997. This Association renamed as The Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association in the year 2004. This Association

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LEPCHAS (AN ETHNIC/TRIBAL GROUP), THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF DARJEELING AND HUMAN RIGHTS submitted Memorandums to the Government of India and Government of West Bengal. They placed 15 demands including introduction of well established Lepcha language in the schools and colleges of Darjeeling district. This Association organized many seminars, protest rallies, demonstration in Kalimpong subdivision of Darjeeling district. Lepchas (ethnic/tribal group) of Darjeeling are vehemently agitating since September 2010 in Kolkata of West Bengal state in India, at different places such as at Metro Channel on 3rd September, 2010; at Rani Rashmoni Avenue on 4th September 2010 and Dharna (sitin demonstration and fasting) at College Square from 5th September to 22nd September, 2010 under leadership of Lepchas Rights Movement (LRM) and Lepcha Youth Association. Representatives of LRM met with the Home Secretary to the Government of West Bengal Samar Ghosh at Writers Buildings, Kolkata on 20th September 2010. They placed their demands to the Home Secretary Samar Ghosh. Again from 8th August 2011 the Lepchas of Darjeeling held a series of demonstrations in Kolkata under the banner of Lepcha Rights Movement (LRM). This organization also submitted a MEMORANDUM on 18th August, 2011 to the Darjeeling district Magistrate on various demands including the protection of Lepcha language including introduction of Lepcha Language in primary schools in Darjeeling; protection of Lepchas distinct ethnic/tribal and cultural identity; economic development of Lepcha community; opportunity of employment, reservation of posts; declaration of an Assembly Constituency in Darjeeling district as Schedule Tribe Constituency and it is reserved for Lepchas etc. They also demonstrated in front of Gandhi Statue of Kolkata since 19th August 2011 and observing sitindemonstration the whole day, notably women, children, youth, aged Lepchas i.e. all sections of Lepcha community of Darjeeling are participating. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopts the Resolution 61/295 on 13 September 2007 in 107th plenary meeting: Recognizing the urgent need to respect and promote the inherent rights of indigenous peoples which derive from their political, economic and social structure and from their cultures, spiritual traditions, historic and philosophies, especially their rights to their land, territories and resources, Article 14(1) reads: Indigenous peoples have the right to establish and control their educational systems and institutions providing education in their own language, in a manner appropriate to their cultural methods of teaching and learning. Article 8 (1) reads: Indigenous peoples and individuals have the right not to be subjected to forced assimilation or destruction of their culture.

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LEPCHAS (AN ETHNIC/TRIBAL GROUP), THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF DARJEELING AND HUMAN RIGHTS Article 32(2) reads: States shall consult and cooperate in good faith with the indigenous peoples concerned through their own representative institutions in order to obtain their free and informed consent prior to the approval of any project affecting their lands or territories and other resources, particularly in connection with the development, utilization or exploitation of mineral, water or other resources. According to newspaper dated 19th August 2011 Lepchas of Darjeeling under the organization Lepcha Rights Movement (LRM) complained that their identity and culture are being swamped by people of Nepalese origin. Nepalese origin means by berth he/she is a Nepali. The matter of by birth is not changeable, is not transferrable such as a Lepcha, by birth, cannot be changed to or transferred to Bengali, Tamil, Nepali, Santhal, Munda etc. community. The other name of Nepalese is not Gorkha, is not Gurkha and is not Lahure. Lepchas of Darjeeling under the organization Lepcha Rights Movement (LRM) through their statement denied/nullified the existence of Gorkhas as they used the words Nepalese origin means Nepalese. There is no existence or there was no existence of Gorkha ethnic group, Gorkha race, Gorkha caste, Gorkha community in India, in Nepal and in the world. There is existence of Nepali, Tamil, Bengali, Assamiya, Gujrati, Lepchas etc community in the world. Grossly violating human rights, violating basic democratic norms, violating Secularism principle of India, violating Constitution of India, committing crime of Genocide, the Government of India, Government of West Bengal made a tripartite agreement with Gorkah Janmukti Morcha (GJM) on 18th July 2011 to form Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) in Darjeeling by wiping out/deleting the sacrosanct name Darjeeling. GJM is the organization of false, fictitious (untrue, unnatural) socalled Gorkhas. Both the Governments have not taken the opinion of any STAKE HOLDERS of Darjeeling district including Indigenous Lepchas. Other stake holders are Indian Nepalese, Bengalese, Bhutias, Adivasis etc. Gorkah Janmukti Morcha (GJM) is not at all a stake holder as false, fictitious (untrue, unnatural) so called Gorkhas have no IDENTITY and Identity less persons have no CITIZENSHIP. Presence of identity less persons in a country is not safe for the citizens of that country and also unsafe for the unity, integrity and sovereignty of that nation. Ethnic group and/or race and/or religious or/and linguistic minority is/are the matter of international subject and the subject of human rights at present world. No Gazette Notification, no Administrative order, no Agreement, no Resolution in Parliament can create ethnic group or race or community. Through natural process ethnic group or race is created. Ethnic group or race or community

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LEPCHAS (AN ETHNIC/TRIBAL GROUP), THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF DARJEELING AND HUMAN RIGHTS should be real, should be natural AND should not be unreal and unnatural. Human rights are not entirely a domestic affair of individual countries. They also have an international dimension which has strengthened the approach in countries whose governments pay lip service to human rights matters. Most states are signatory to the numerous international human rights conventions, covenants whose provisions have become established principles of international law. Article 2(1) of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities reads: Persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities (hereinafter referred to as persons belonging to minorities) have the right to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practice their own religion, and to use their own language, in private and in public, freely and without interference or any form of discrimination. Article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) reads: In those States in which ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities exists, persons belonging to such minorities shall not be denied the right, in community with the other members of their groups, to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practice their own religion, or to use their own language. Human Rights philosophy and jurisprudence cannot support the false, fictitious (untrue, unnatural) ethnic group, race, community. So Human Rights activists/defendants are opposing the false, fictitious (untrue, unnatural) ethnic group, race, community for the protection of society, nation and human race. Instead of extending help to indigenous Lepcha community, Government of West Bengal egregiously violating human rights is trying to totally destroy the Lepcha community in West Bengal and for this heinous activity this Government has took help from Arun Kuma Singh, Head of the Office of the Anthropological Survey of India, Kolkata vide letter no. 13229/2000/Estt. dated September 10, 2004. In this letter Arun Kumar Singh mentioned his concocted story which as no base with the reality, in favour of his ludicrous recommendations which is nothing but offence to commit Crime of Genocide (Crimes against Peace and Security of Mankind 1996). Based on the letter Home Department, Government of West Bengal, Political had issued an order No. 3519 (18)P dated 12th July 2006 to destroy Lepcha community in West Bengal. Lepchas of Darjeeling under the organization Lepcha Rights Movement (LRM) on 20th September 2010 pointed out the matter to Home Secretary to the Government of West Bengal Samar Ghosh at Writers Buildings, Kolkata. In this order Government of West Bengal directed that Sikikimese certificate will be issued to Lepchas instead of Lepcha certificate for relaxation of height in recruitment of Army or paramilitary etc. forces whereas Lepcha has

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LEPCHAS (AN ETHNIC/TRIBAL GROUP), THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF DARJEELING AND HUMAN RIGHTS been recognized as Schedule Tribe in West Bengal state in India. Samar Ghosh is now Chief Secretary to Government of West Bengal and violating human rights, violating the Constitution of India he is very busy to hold meetings with the false, fictitious (untrue, unnatural) socalled Gorkhas and giving them space, accommodation in society, in Darjeeling district, in North Bengal but he had done nothing for the real, natural Lepcha tribal/ethnic group of West Bengal particularly of Darjeeling district. Necessary investigation is required to find out who are against this Indigenous Lepcha ethnic/ tribal group and for what reason? [Please read the original documents/papers at your end] Date: 24/08/2011. Dipak De [Human Rights Activist; M.Phil in Human Rights; Member of Amnesty International; United Nations on line volunteer on Human Rights]

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