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.
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
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