Diplomatic and friendly relation between two countries must continue: Daniel Stone
Daniel Stone Lyngdoh, a lawyer by profession, has been documenting Khasi history that is unknown or lesser known to many. His latest book, The Khasis in the Liberation of Bangladesh, tells the story of the brave members of the tribe who fought along with Bengali-speaking muktihjoddhas in the Liberation War of East Pakistan. Sunday Monitor speaks to the author to know about the evolving socio-political scenario and the relevance of the book in today’s time.
What prompted you to write the latest book?
After I came to know about the Khasis living in the plains and that the Khasis established the Khasi kingdom known as Hima Jaintia with Jaintiapur as its capital, it prompted me to know more about the Khasis in Bangladesh. I decided to research (on the subjects) and write a book.
How much documentation is there about the history of the tribes, including the Khasis, in Meghalaya?
The main tribes in Bangladesh are the Khasi, Garo and Chakma, but all the minorities, including the Khasis, are known as indigenous or adivasi. There are not less than 50 indigenous communities. The history of these indigenous communities is as old as civilisation itself, including Meghalaya across borders.
How relevant is the latest book in the context of the present socio-political situation along the Indo-Bangla border?
The importance of the book in dealing with the present socio-political situation lies in the fact that the book brings out the historical significance of the origin of the Khasis along the Indo-Bangla border, and also that the Khasis are the original settlers and the Khasis involved in trade and commerce since time immemorial. Besides, the Khasis had established their own Kingdom, that is Hima Jaintia, with its capital in Jaintiapur. With this, the Khasis will keep in mind that they were adept in trade and communication and also good at administration.
India and Bangladesh have a contiguous history that affected lives on both sides of the border over time. What kind of measures do you think must be taken to right the wrongs?
Learning through the pathway of history, they built up diplomatic and friendly relations from both corners, the hills and the plains. Through a diplomatic-friendly relation, they survived to overcome the right over the wrongs. This should continue in the same way.
Why do you think Bangladesh is seen as an enemy by India when it should have been the opposite?
In reality, there is no enmity between the two countries, since Bangladesh is also a country that could not exist on its own without foreign help. During the liberation war in 1971, India came to help East Pakistan against West Pakistan, and with the help of India, Bangladesh would not have existed. But there is no denying the truth that the change of political power as well as the tyranny of political power, with misunderstanding and no respect for the past, (Bangladesh) not showing respect or considering what India did either in words or action, might bring India to consider Bangladesh as an enemy.
‘Divide and rule’ has become synonymous with our colonial masters. Don’t you think our own leaders are playing the same game, especially with the innocent tribes?
Yes, the British came to India through a policy of ‘Divide’ and the colonial masters, by applying this policy, were able to rule India. After that, Pakistan got its surprise independence.
In the same way, as the British did, our leaders too are playing the same game and the same card for political gains by applying the policy of divide and rule to divide and rule the innocent tribes.
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