DARJEELING, West Bengal, 15th Feb 2025: Darjeeling MP and BJP National Spokesperson Raju Bista convened an emergency meeting on Thursday to address growing concerns over West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s contentious policy permitting 30% of tea garden land to be diverted for non-tea purposes. Attendees, including regional stakeholders, unanimously condemned the move as a threat to indigenous communities and vowed to escalate protests to state and central authorities.
The dispute centers on a 2023 state policy allowing commercial tea garden lands to transition from leasehold to freehold status upon payment of a fee. Historically, these lands remained under government ownership, leased to corporations exclusively for tea cultivation. The shift to freehold grants private entities full ownership rights, enabling unrestricted land use—a change critics argue paves the way for hotels, resorts, and real estate projects to replace tea estates.
“This arbitrary and autocratic decision jeopardizes the livelihoods of thousands tied to tea gardens and risks erasing the cultural heritage of our indigenous communities,” Bista stated. Data indicates at least five luxury hotel projects are already underway on former tea-growing land, with fears mounting that high-rise buildings, shopping malls, and private developments could follow under the 30% diversion rule.
Of grave concern is the policy’s impact on marginalized groups, including the Gorkha, Rajbangshi, Adiwasi, Rabha, Toto, Koche, Meche, and Bengali communities. Many lack formal land rights (Parja Patta) due to historical neglect by the state, leaving them vulnerable to displacement if corporations acquire these lands. “These communities have nurtured these lands for generations. Selling their ancestral homes to private players is a betrayal,” a meeting attendee noted.
Protest plans include formal appeals to Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, the Tea Board of India, and Union Ministers of Commerce, Labour, and Home Affairs. Participants also resolved to demand immediate policy withdrawal and explore legal recourse if necessary. “We will approach the courts, involve the central government, and take to the streets if our voices are ignored,” Bista asserted.
The West Bengal government defends the policy as a boost for economic diversification, but opponents argue it prioritizes corporate interests over equitable development. Tea workers, who earn an average daily wage of ₹250, face not only job losses but also cultural disintegration as lands central to their identity are repurposed.
With tensions escalating, the Darjeeling-led coalition emphasizes solidarity among affected groups. “This isn’t just about land—it’s about survival,” Bista added. “We will fight to ensure no family is uprooted from their heritage.”
The conflict underscores a broader national debate over indigenous land rights and sustainable development. As stakeholders await official responses, the region braces for intensified advocacy, signaling a protracted battle over West Bengal’s tea country future.
