Contribution of Indian Gorkhas for the nation building constitution of India

 

In the annals of history, the great and golden chapters of the recorded history always have hidden

darker scars of great sufferings by human beings. The soothing watershed era invariably starts

from the end of brutal bloodshed seen by the human race. These exacting golden chapters of

these histories have turned out to be exuberant events and testaments for the human race. These

are the turning points of that era since it is written after the great sacrifices of human beings for

the ages. Turn the pages of these historical events, and we will see them. See the epic Ramayana

written after a fierce war fought in Lanka or Bhagwat Geeta rejuvenated in the middle of the

battlefield in Kurukshetra. Or everlasting sermons of Lord Buddha reverberated by the Ashoka

the Great- way back 262 BC- 264 BC after the Kalinga war between Mauryan Emperor Ashoka

of Maghad and Kalinga republic and Cholas. Immeasurable human bloodshed had taken place in

these unfortunate, uncalled events. Subsequently, the human race has been gifted and bestowed

upon with immense invaluable treasures of watersheds in the form of everlasting reminiscences.

"Human life is designed to demise; reminiscences are forever."

Similarly, such historical reminiscences were drafted and then written by our great philosophers,

orators, and deep thinkers to shape modern India by drafting India's constitution. India suffered

for centuries, and its constitution came into existence to give solace to the much hurt soul and

heart and healing and soothing balm effect to the deep and old wounds. At the onset, I would

prefer to confess that "I am not an expert in the constitution of India". I am jotting it down as per

my understandings as I read it.

On 9th December 1946, The constituent Assembly of India met in the constitution Hall New

Delhi at 11'o clock, with Mr Chairman (The Honourable Dr Rajendra Prasad) in the chair. There

were 389 members, including the chairman for the drafting of the constitution of India.

By 14th August 1947, the number of many members had reduced to 299. This reduction was because many members moved out to the west and east Pakistan due to India's unfortunate division. On 26th January 1950, 291 drafting members put their signature on the final approved draft of India's constitution which came in vogue on that day with soul, heart and will for India's bright and fruitful future. The number of signatories further dropped due to old age, and sickness may be out of the station on that day or unfortunate demise.

It may not appear to be an exaggeration if this remarkable document, "India's constitution",

occupies a reverence position like Vedas. This is because our Vedas were written by our

sagacious sages and seers, Maharishi Ved Vyasji, the great thinker and philosopher Soodji,

revered Lord Ganeshji. We shall shortlist for this pious position from these 299 members only

since most left the team halfway and joined the west and east Pakistan after betraying the

drafting constituent assembly team. However, those who were old, sick or demised may enjoy

the privilege of being members of this prestigious esteemed position.

Dr Rajendra Prasad, the chairman of the constituent assembly, played the role of Soodji by

giving patience hearings. Initially, Dr BN Rau played the role of Ganeshji and prepared the first

and initial draft of India's constitution and handed it over to Dr BR Ambedkar on 30th August

1947 to write and finalise the towering work of completion. They both played the role of

Ganeshji. And remaining 297 played the role of Vyasji to formulate the document by putting

across their meaningful point of views.

It was a herculean task for the entire team, especially when the nation was going through a tough

and challenging transforming period reeling into crisis after crisis. This historical document

came as a watershed for the Indian masses after going through countless human sacrifices and

endless bloodshed centuries after centuries. The blood of immeasurable and precious human life

has been soaked by the entire Indian soil. Finally, India's constitution has emerged and

blossomed like flame-wine flowers from the blood-soaked and caked Indian soil. It requires an

eye to see it and a concerted will to preserve it.

Among these initial 389 members of the constituent assembly, Mr Damber Singh Gurung was a

drafting committee member. He was the only Indian Gorkha assigned to represent the Indian

Gorkha community.

The first meeting of the constituent assembly took place on 9th December 1946, and Mr Damber

Singh Gurung was allowed to deliver his speech, which lasted for more than an hour on the 19th

December 1946. We Indian Gorkhas are proud of it as this took place in the constitution hall,

New Delhi, at 11'o clock in the presence of the honourable president and all the august members.

The synopsis and excerpts of his speech is as follows, where he raised four cardinal and most

important points.

(a) There was a school of thought that the drafting of India's constitution to be delayed and

postponed further. Mr Damber Singh Gurung vehemently opposed the idea of slowing it down.

He followed the concept of time tested slogan "What is to be done tomorrow, do it today. What

is to be done today, do it now. Never know there might be a turmoil or tornado next moment'.

Luckily his idea was supported by the honourable president Dr Rajendra Prasand and towering

personalities like Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. Had it been delayed, it would have gone into the cold

storage. We can see the fore thoughtfulness and visionary outlook of Mr Damber Singh Gurung

(b) He requested Quaid-E-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinha, a very tall personality looming large in

the Indian political horizon of that era and in the constituent assembly, to give up his idea of the

two-nation theory. Mr Damber Singh Gurung insisted that the great Indian subcontinent's

division into two parts was a terrible idea. He advised, united we live, like two strong brothers,

divided, we will further get weaken. It is a most disastrous idea, and India as a nation shall not

take it lightly. In the end, he was very vocal in saying point-blank that if Mr. Jinha is still very

adamant on the two-nation theory, it is better Mr. Jinha quit and ceases to be an honourable

member of the august house of the constituent assembly. Mr Damber Singh Gurung had shown

the courage of conviction by saying, "spad a spad".

(c) He highlighted that some set of people are insisting on the division of Bengal. In case the illconceived

idea of creating an independent country named East Pakistan comes after carving the

Bengal from India, the narrow Siliguri Corridor becomes vulnerable. Mr Damber Singh Gurung

being from that part of India understood and visualised the geo-static, geo-political and geomilitary

importance of the area correctly. In one of his speeches, he mentioned that the said site

is located in a configuration surrounded by many nations. Though at that point in time, he was

not very much sceptical from the North since the great Himalayas were providing impregnable

and formidable natural defences. However, he was very worried from the south of it if it became

part of East Pakistan. But today, the ground situation and reality has changed since our adversary

from the North is standing with the brashest axe to strike on us and down south, some radical set

of people standing with swinging swords to cut us into two pieces. He was correct in his

assessments in 1946 and thereafter during his other speeches in the constituent assembly. His

words of wisdom are turning out to be accurate, and even today, it is relevant. It is time to take a

cognizant of his prophetic words delivered in the constituent assembly's august house in the

presence of the greatest philosophers, thinkers, educationist and leaders of this great nation

during the formulation and drafting of the constitution of India. Nation shall never be late if his

words of wisdom are taken a note of his idea for a permanent solution of this vulnerable strategic

location of national importance and national security. He had displayed and shown deep concern

about the national security of India without mincing the words.

(d) On 19th December 1946, at the eleventh of the clock, Mr Damber Singh Gurung said in the

constituent assembly's august house that he is the only Gorkha appointed to represent a large

population of 30 lakh Indian Gorkha community residing in India. The Sikh community

comprised of similar numbers, but their representation is in a more significant number. Similarly,

the Anglo-Indian community was 142,000 approximately, but they too had three members to

represent. Nevertheless, though I am all alone from my community, I shall do justice to my 30

lakh Gorkhas residing permanently in India within the best interest of the Indian subcontinent.

My request to the constituent assembly is that my people are poor, simple, patriotic, and

uneducated. They are, by nature, carefree characteristically, carry self-respect and high esteem

ingrained in their genes. He highlighted that the Anglo-Indian society consisting of 142,000, has

been given three seats and is recognised as a minority community. He put across a request that

the Indian Gorkhas be given the status of minority community/ linguistic minority community

and be given adequate representation in the advisory community by increasing vis-a-vis the

population of the Indian Gorkhas proportionately.

Mr Damber Singh Gurung might be having great ideas behind his mind for the nation-building

and upliftment of the Indian Gorkha community. Alas, "lady luck" was not in favour, and he died

of tuberculosis at an early age of 48 on 7th April 1948. At that time, it was the most crucial

moment to complete the first draft of India's constitution. Many things were not and could not be

included due to his sudden untimely demise. The bottom line is that this is a misfortune for the

Gorkha community. It is not by design but by destiny.

Mr Ari Bahadur Gurung, MLA, was appointed after Mr Damber Singh Gurung's demise. Large

amounts of water had already flowed by the time he had been appointed and had taken stock of

the situation. The drafting of the constitution had already reached a stage of completion. Only

handwritten page-wise italic calligraphy with ancient sculptures designing for three vast volumes

of India's constitution was pending. All these to be completed by the "D Day", 26th January

1950. The time left was short, and the chances of further adding and deleting in the proposed

draft were very slim.

Moreover, all the members and the honourable president of the drafting committee were

occupying significantly, very high profile posts and positions in the independent government of

India governance. Mr Damber Singh Gurung might have enjoyed a better comfort level and

congenial relations with the drafting committee when he was alive. Had he been alive, he

could've interacted with the drafting team to articulate or extrapolate his ideas and thoughts for

the betterment of the Indian Gorkhas in particular and the nation as a whole. Most probably, Mr

Ari Baadur Gurung might not be that comfortable with the affirmative action and practical at this

fag end of the drafting.

Nothing substantial is mentioned for we Indian Gorkhas in the final constitution despite having a

signatory and representation in the drafting team. We have missed the bus due to the untimely

demise of Mr Damber Singh Gurung. Although we are over thirty lac in number, we have not

been given a minority community's status or seats in the assembly and parliament. In contrast,

the Anglo Indian community, having a population of 142,000, enjoyed a minority community's

status and have their seats reserved in the assembly and the parliament.

All are dead and gone. God bless the souls of all the team members of the constituent assembly.

But the constitution of India is alive, vibrant, mature and glowing. It is requested to turn the

pages of the Indian Constitution and read between the lines its assembly members' speeches, and

form meaningful conclusions. Fulfil the aspirations of the Indian Gorkhas in particular and the

nation as a whole as envisaged by Mr Damber Singh Gurung, followed by Mr Ari Bahadur

Gurung, MLA.

The Indian Gorkha community has contributed their bit in the national building and even doing

their best today. However, the Indian Gorkhas are left out and are watching with a bewildering

stance.

-By Lt. Col. (Retd) Bhupendra Singh Chhetri

14th March 2021

Dehradun

The author has written an autobiography, “Meandering into Memories” available on Amazon

India

Source : Hamro Sandesh Magazine : www.hamroswabhiman.com