Interview with the historian,poet,writer,film maker and the pillar of Kamatapur movement Mr. Arup Jyoti Koch

The historian,poet,writer,film maker and the pillar of Kamatapur movement Mr. Arup Jyoti Koch

Interview with the historian,poet,writer,film maker and the pillar of Kamatapur movement Mr. Arup Jyoti Koch in Rajbanshi Radio program Kochila Awaj

Kochila Awaj: There are many organizations demanding Kamtapur some are even political parties and some are armed outfits, Can’t these organizations be merged together as their demands are same?

Arup Jyoti Das: of course they can be united and there are many reasons to make them united but there is lack of leadership who can be trusted by peoples. Weakness is in our leaders as they have already lost the faith of people. There must be true leader who can reach the janagan( Normal public) and make them believe they will sacrifice whole life for Kamtapur and its peoples rights. The public or Janagan must believe that the leader will not work behind money. As everyone knows that normal public of Rajbanshi Community are not matured politically or they are not aware about their land and their rights and even they don’t know their own history.

Kochila Awaj: You have written a history book “ Kamtapur and Koch Rajbanshi Imagination” we have already gone through the book and “Nalini Ranjan Ray’s Koch Rajbanshi and Kamtapur- The truth Unveled” there you have mentioned many thing we can read about “Morang Pradesh” of Nepal but deatail is not given there. Can you explain us about the Kochland of Nepal?

Arup Jyoti Das: Thanks for the question as its crystal clear that Koshi River is the last territory of Kamtapur in the western side as many historians like Edward gait, Hamilton and others have already written the fact. There are many books in my library about the “Morang Pradesh”. Koch King Biswa singh first wife was from Morang Pradesh who had elder son Nar Narayan (Malla Dev). Biswa singh’s Grandfather Hajo (Father of Hira) had son Kisak who used to live in that area and later he was killed by some enemies of next territory so there is place in Nepal in Jhapa District which is called Kichak Badh ( Place where Kishak was Killed- meaning in Rajbanshi language). There is a place in Nepal Sunsari District which is Bijayapur, Dharan which is the place where the son of Biswa singh named Bijaya Narayan reign so its called Bijaypur. There is place named chilahara in Jhapa District which is the pious place of Koch king Chila Ray (The great Warrior of The world) and the fort of ChilaRay named Chila Gadh in Jhapa District of Nepal mentions the history of the Chila Ray’s great territory. Its clear like water that Koch peoples were the first settler near the bank of Koshi river in west who had a great territory extending till east upto Burma, North till Tibet, south till Bay of Bengal.

Kochila Awaj : What about the Bodoland? You demand Kamtapur but there are some peoples demanding Bodoland?

Arup Jyoti Das: There is no any community like Bodo there in Assam. They are actually “Boro” or Kachari now they say they are “Mech” or “BODO”. Bodo counsil is just 30 years back and there is no history of Bodo in any books. They are claiming Koch history as there history now and if they do so why don’t they demand Kochland or Kamtaland? Koch have ancient history. There are palaces and there were great kings and rulers. I say “ While constructing your history don’t destroy ours” “You can write your history with golden letters with golden pen but don’t destroy our history which was written by the feathers of peacock or pens made of bamboo stick” . Boro says they are Mech now during 2013 AD what were they doing before? Why don’t they demand “Mechland” ? so it’s a matter of same if they claims the Kamtapur history is theirs.

Kochila Awaj:  Is “ Kamtapur and Koch Rajbanshi Imagination” Possible ?

Arup Jyoti Das: Sure, its 100% possible. Assamese and Bangali literature are recent and they have gone through maximum height now and even they have claimed Asamese and Bangali language old literature is reference from Kamatapur Palace of Maharaj Biswa singh. Komrupi literature or Koch Rajbanshi literature is very old dated from time unknown and we can get those in ancient monuments and palaces of Koch kings eg: Maharaja Nara Narayan’s Palace. Even Bengalis claims Maharaja Narnarayan’s Palace literature is Bangali literature. During 16^th century there were no Bengalis or Assamese. Its just like few years ago I had planted one mango tree in my home when there were no neighbours, now the plant have started giving fruits and the branches are scattered, recently two neighbors on two side of my house settled and both claims this mangoes and mango tree is theirs from both side and are fighting for that. The real owner its me is quite and watching them. Same is happening with our Kamtapur , the Assamese says its theirs and Bengalis says its theirs but we Kamtapuris are quite. Now we have started to demand our rights and its sure sooner or later we will have Kamtpur. As its truth that the ownership belongs to us.

Kochila Awaj : What name can we give to our language? As this language is named surjapuri in Bihar, kamrupi in Assam, Desi in West Bengal, Gwalpara, Rajbanshi, Tajpuriya, Gangai, Suri, teli, Bhatiyar, Hadi, Majhi etc in Nepal? Is it Multinomial language or Must have one name?

Arup Jyoti Das: I want to go back to our Popular singer Pratima Baruwa’s quotes as she is a queen of voice and great singer of our community she was asked by Bhupen Hajarika that which language song you are singing, She said, its “Desi” language as we had territory and country some days and now we have lost that so it’s the language of the lost Country so we say “DESI”. If we had country then it would be named “Kamtapuri” Language. So , I mean to say one person have many pet names in home like I may be called Arup by many, Beta by my mom, Babu by my father, Dadu by my grandpa but still I am the same person and same is with our language as it’s the same but pet names are different as Rajbanshi, Gangai, Tajpuriya, Surjapuriya, Gangai, mondal , majhi, hadi, Desi etc. how they love to called it they will give it a new name.

Kochila Awaj: Any massage to the listeners you want to relay?

Arup Jyoti Das: To get Kochland or Kamtapur our leaders must go to the Janagan(general Public) individually and make them aware about our glorious past history, our rights, our lost land and property, Peoples must get access towards education and must not sell their land then we will get our state Kamtapur or Kochland. Thanks for everyone .

Jay Kamtapur ! Jay Kochila !

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