Tripura: Janashiksha Samity and Ganamukti Parishad Foundation Days Observed
Haripada Das
THE weeklong observance of the 79th anniversary of Janashiksha Samity and the 75th foundation day of Tripura Rajya Ganamukti Parishad (GMP) commenced throughout the state on December 27. Party and GMP flags were hoisted in all Party offices, accompanied by floral tributes to the legendary founding leaders. Various programmes have been planned at the sub-division level, including hall meetings and processions.
In Agartala, responding to the call of the GMP, TYF, and TSU, an overflowing hall meeting took place at Town Hall on December 27. During the meeting, veterans and elderly GMP activists, namely Niranjan Debbarma, Salil Krishna Debbarma, Benodini Debbarma, and Dhabal Krishna Debbarma, were felicitated. The hall meeting was addressed by Manik Sarkar, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member, Jitendra Chowdhury, CPI(M) state secretary, GMP president Naresh Jamatia, GMP secretary Radhacharan Debbarma, and TYF secretary Kumode Debbarma.
On that day, the Daily Desher Katha released a special edition featuring articles on the inception of Janashiksha Samity, its mission, and the Ganamukti Parishad. These articles highlighted the significant role played by these organisations in bringing about a renaissance among the illiterate tribal masses and the radical transformation they brought to the political landscape of the state.
EVOLUTION OF THE MOVEMENT
Against the backdrop of the 'Great Victory' of the Red Army over the Nazis in World War II in 1945, coupled with the liberation of many countries from colonialism and the establishment of socialism in Eastern European nations, a wave of inspiration swept through a segment of educated tribal youths in Tripura. This newfound vigour aimed to liberate the people of the state from the shackles of illiteracy, superstition, and blind allegiance to the prevailing monarchy.
During this time, the tribal areas faced a dearth of schools, with Agartala being the only location where children from elite families had the opportunity for admission. Indigenous tribal communities endured a challenging life in the hills, lacking basic amenities such as roads, safe drinking water, health services, electricity, and irrigation facilities. Most tribal families were involved in cultivation, and the absence of a competitive market compelled them to sell their crops at meager prices to deceitful middlemen known as 'Pharias.' The cultivation wasat the mercy of unpredictable weather conditions, and the suffering was exacerbated by the oppressive actions of the Royal police during tax collection.
In such a state, on December 27, 1945 (11th Poush of the Bengali era), eleven educated tribal youths, including Dasaratha Debbarma, Sudhanwa Debbarma, Hemanta Jamatia, Nilmani Debbarma, Dinesh Debbarma, Aghore Debbarma, and others, gathered in a tribal village at Durga Chowdhury Para, on the outskirts of Agartala town. They resolved to initiate a literacy movement in the state to liberate the vast tribal masses from the darkness of illiteracy. The call for spreading literacy made by the leaders of the Samity received an overwhelming response from the indigenous masses. Within a few months, villagers either provided their own houses to run schools or constructed new school buildings. They raised funds to provide food and token salaries for the teachers appointed by the Samity leaders. Children who had previously spent their time in Jhum fields with their parents were now eager to attend school and receive lessons. Within several months, approximately 400 such schools were established by the villagers. The Samity leaders exerted pressure on the royal administration for the recognition and management of these schools.
However, instead of appreciating this noble endeavor, the royal administration viewed it as a threat to the monarchy. The monarch attempted to create a parallel organization named 'Tripur Sangha.' The fate of the king's 'Tripur Sangha' crumbled at its inception when the Sardars (village heads), invited to a royal feast, collectively protested against the arrest of Hemanta Debbarma, the President of the newly formed Janashiksha Samity, and the physical torture inflicted on him in custody. Faced with the Sardars' protest, the king was compelled to release him immediately. Subsequent to this incident, the king grew increasingly hostile towards the Janashiksha Samity.
The wrath and hostile stance of the royal administration fueled an unwavering determination among the leaders of the Samity to continue their mission. Meanwhile, on October 10th, 1948, the Bishalgarh PS police, acting on behalf of a village moneylender ('Mahajan'), fatally shot 11 poor peasants, mostly tribals, at famine-hit Bhakta Thakur Para. The villagers had demanded some paddy from the 'Mahajan' as a loan, to be repaid with a larger quantity after the next crop harvest. This tragic incident was followed by the Royal Army gunning down three tribal women, namely Kumari, Madhuti, and Rupashree, at Padmabill, Khowai, in March 1949. The women were protesting against the 'Titun System' (providing labor to the king without wages). Both incidents further fueled public anger against the king. In response, the king mobilised his military power to suppress the Janashiksha Samity leaders. Consequently, the literacy movement faced statewide assaults perpetrated by the royal administration. During this tumultuous period, the slogan 'Prajer Bhote Raja Chai' (A king must be elected by the subjects who are to be ruled) gained immense popularity, rallying vast masses in support of the Janashiksha Samity. Naturally, the Samity had become a formidable challenge for the royal administration.
To counter the hostility of the royal administration, the Tripura Rajya Ganamukti Parishad (GMP) was formed underground in 1948. GMP leaders assumed all responsibilities assigned to the Janashiksha Samity, leading to the elimination of the Samity. In addition to the literacy movement, GMP initiated social reform programs and raised awareness against superstitions such as the dowry system, witch-hunting, untouchability, religious hostility, and exploitative feudal systems prevalent under the monarchy. They also organised the distribution of 'Dharma Gola' (Food stock) to the famine-affected people. The leaders of the Samity urged for the unity of working people, transcending tribal and Bengali identities, as well as caste divisions.
Expressing profound respect for the founding leaders of Janashiksha Samity and Ganamukti Parishad, Manik Sarkar, addressing the hall meeting, stated that the embryo of GMP developed within the womb of Janashiksha Samity. Indoctrinated with socialist ideas, GMP prioritized fostering unity between tribal and nontribal communities despite sectarian provocations. The Left Front government, according to Sarkar, emerged as a product of that unity. He highlighted that reactionary and sectarian forces aimed to break this unity through various secessionist slogans, with the recent call for a so-called 'Greater Tipraland' by Tipra Motha being the latest iteration of the secessionist viewpoint.
Addressing the current national situation, Manik Sarkar emphasized that the democratic and secular-minded people of the country are currently engaged in a struggle against a semi-fascist regime. They are fighting for democratic rights, the right to vote, and the protection of the essence of the constitution. Simultaneously, movements are underway for the basic necessities of survival, such as food, work, drinking water, health and education services, road communication, and against issues like price rise and unemployment. Sarkar asserted that Tripura must be integrated into this nationwide battle, aligning with the meaningful observation of the foundation anniversary of Janashiksha Samity and GMP.
Speaking at the hall meeting, state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury highlighted that GMP has persevered for 75 years since its formation in 1948, facing sacrifices and martyrdom. Many sectarian organizations that emerged to undermine GMP have faded away due to its unwavering commitment to its declared noble mission, aligned with the causes of the working class and respecting the ideals of secularism and communal and ethnic fraternity. Reflecting on the invaluable contribution of Janashiksha Samity leaders in promoting literacy in the state, Chaudhury emphasized that the united battle fought by GMP against repressive feudal rule and subsequent Congress regimes led to the formation of the Left Front government. He identified the formation of TTAADC as the greatest achievement of the Left Front government, made possible by the support of the democratic section of nontribal masses.
Discussing the present role of TTAADC, Chaudhury pointed out that under Tipra Motha, it has become a source of corruption for some ambitious tribal leaders. Despite pending Village Committee elections for three years, there has been little demand for them. The hills are grappling with a crisis of food and work, a shortage of safe drinking water, struggling primary education, damaged road communication, unstable electricity, and disrupted health services. However, Tipra Motha appears unconcerned about these issues and is more focused on the so-called 'Greater Tipra Land,' using it as a diversion from their failure to address the real crises of the masses. Chaudhury also informed about a renewed attempt by the BJP to incite tribal infighting on religious lines by luring Tipra Motha with a cabinet berth.
At this critical juncture, Chaudhury argued that history has bestowed the utmost responsibility to expose these harmful elements and bring back the basic masses who have been misled by sectarian propaganda. Radhacharan Debbarma, Naresh Jamatia, president and secretary of GMP, and Kumode Debbarma, TYF secretary, also addressed the hall meeting.
