MITHILA RAJYA

              -Dr. Bageshwar  Jha

The demand for a separate state for more develop,ent and better prospects, is a genuine demand of any Maithil. Already several linguistic groups campaigned and succeeded in achieving their separate state, latest being Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand. Out of them, the longest struggle was undergone by the erstwhile South Bihar people, who pursued their cause for over half a century, occasionally turning violent. For some five years, the hill people of UP became vociferous enough, giving indications of insurgency to achieve their cause.

Today, some other linguistic and cultural groups/regions including Mithilanchal are feeling highly concerned over this demand. Out of them, the more significant struggle is by the Nepali people of Darjeeling and Kalimpong for their separate Gorkhaland. They have turned insurgent. In whole West Bengal, Darjeeling was the only parliamentary seat from where the BJP candidate, a Sikh from Bihar could win ignoring the prevailing wind in the rest of the state. This revolt againts Mamata Banerjee is visible for last over one year throwing all activities to haywire. No solution is visible yet but at the same time Gurkhas, braving all odds, are relentless. I am sure, no govt. can afford to ignore this popular demand indefinitely. The ongoing movement is definitely hampering public order, but amid rocklike unity of the people, the state govt, despite being presently reluctant, will have to succumb. This is democracy in which pressure groups, euphemistically known as votebanks, can compel the vote seeking politicians to concede the demand as a precondion.

In this backdrop, let all of us introspect our commitment to the cause. Has anybody been arrested or killed in police firing while strongly pressing for  the demand? Are we having any rocklike unity? Who is our sole leader? Have we so far reposed faith in any acceptable leadership which can steer through the movement? Unfortunately, by nature one element viz. lack of working in unison, has crept into our DNA. We love to blow our own carnate and drum. If somebody ventures to take a lead, others will simply pull his legs. Our society abounds in critics and lacks in constructive elements. These days see the FACBOOK. You will find multiple of posts giving an indication of a pro-Mithila whirlwind. They are the people who do not purchase Maithili publications, do not devote any time for the demand, do not agree with the policies of even genuine people, do not study to keep themselves informed and leave no opportunity to decry others.

As individuals, traditional sharp Maithils are brilliant in all fields, they have opportunity to operate. But somehow we have inbuilt propensity to work in a group. I have no individual agenda, and being on the wrong side of the age also lack the enthusiasm for such involving activities. Even if nobody comes to me for any suggestion, I shall be happy enough simply seeing the Maithils unitedly surging ahead to the so espoused destination. I am highly optimistic, so much so that sometimes I feel that the success is round the corner. My Lord listen.