Greater Cooch Behar People's Association

Greater Cooch Behar People's Association (GCPA) is a regional political and social organization active in the northern part of West Bengal, India. The organization advocates for the creation of a separate state, named Greater Cooch Behar, comprising the territory of the former princely state of Cooch Behar and surrounding areas in northern Bengal and western Assam. The GCPA is largely supported by the Rajbanshi people and other indigenous and backward communities of the region.

Historical background

The demand for a separate administrative region based on the historical identity of Cooch Behar dates back to India's independence. The princely state of Cooch Behar State acceded to India in 1949 and was merged with West Bengal in 1950. However, activists and historians have since argued that the integration process failed to safeguard the political and cultural identity of the region's inhabitants.^[1]

In the early 2000s, the Greater Cooch Behar People's Association emerged as a major platform to voice these concerns and to demand the formation of a separate state under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution.

Formation and Objectives

The GCPA was formed in the early 2000s by a group of regional activists and former student leaders aiming to revive the legacy of the Cooch Behar princely state. The organization gained traction among economically and socially marginalized communities of northern West Bengal, especially in the districts of Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, and Jalpaiguri.

The association's key demands include:

Formation of a separate Greater Cooch Behar state
Recognition of the Rajbanshi language and culture
Economic upliftment and educational rights for the backward communities
Decentralized governance and administrative autonomy

2005 Rally and Arrests

The GCPA gained national attention in September 2005 when it organized a large rally in Cooch Behar, which turned violent. Police intervention resulted in the deaths of at least three people, and over 50 GCPA members, including general secretary Bangshibadan Barman, were arrested on charges of unlawful assembly and sedition.^[2]^[3]

The arrests became a major rallying point for the movement. The GCPA demanded the release of its activists and framed them as political prisoners.

Split and Formation of GCBDP

Following internal disagreements over strategy and leadership, the GCPA experienced a major split in 2006. A faction led by Ashutosh Barma broke away to form the Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Party (GCBDP). Despite being jailed, Bangshibadan Barman supported the newly formed GCBDP. The original GCPA continued to operate under separate leadership and re-emerged in 2008 with a renewed call for statehood.^[4]

Ideology and Methods

GCPA identifies itself as a peaceful, constitutional movement. It seeks to achieve statehood through democratic protest, legal advocacy, and public awareness. It distances itself from violent separatism, although it has been accused in the past of inciting unrest. The group invokes historical claims, citing pre-independence records of the Cooch Behar kingdom and agreements related to its merger into India.^[5]

Demographic and Cultural Claims

The GCPA argues that the Rajbanshi people, Koch community, and other Scheduled Castes of the Dooars and Cooch Behar region have been historically marginalized. It also highlights cultural distinctiveness, linguistic identity (such as the demand for Rajbanshi/Kamatapuri language recognition), and inadequate state development.

The proposed state of "Greater Cooch Behar" would potentially include:

All of Cooch Behar district
Parts of Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Darjeeling plains
Sections of Dhubri and Kokrajhar districts in Assam

Controversies and Overlaps

The statehood claim of GCPA overlaps territorially with that of the Kamtapur Progressive Party and the Gorkhaland movement. Despite ideological differences, there have been short-term alliances between these parties to oppose the state government's centralization policies.^[6]

Current Status

As of the 2020s, the GCPA remains active in local advocacy but has limited electoral presence. Its influence is largely confined to protest politics, cultural mobilization, and commemorative activities related to Cooch Behar history.

The original leadership has aged, and newer youth-led organizations are emerging with similar demands, either in alignment or in competition with GCPA’s agenda.

References

^ Chatterji, Partha (2004). The Politics of the Governed: Reflections on Popular Politics in Most of the World. Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231127317. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
^ "Violence mars rally in Cooch Behar". Rediff. 20 September 2005.
^ "We will abide by statute, says Cooch Behar leader". The Hindu. 27 September 2005. Archived from the original on 9 April 2006.
^ "Bangshi's old outfit back with 'state' map". The Telegraph. 6 May 2008. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012.
^ Ray, Udayan (2012). Ethnic Movements in India: Issues in State Response. Mittal Publications. ISBN 9788183243985. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
^ Chattopadhyay, Suhrid Sankar (24 May 2008). "Unrest in the plains". Frontline. 25 (11).

[1] Chatterji, Partha (2004). The Politics of the Governed: Reflections on Popular Politics in Most of the World. Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231127317. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)

[2] "Violence mars rally in Cooch Behar". Rediff. 20 September 2005.

[3] "We will abide by statute, says Cooch Behar leader". The Hindu. 27 September 2005. Archived from the original on 9 April 2006.

[4] "Bangshi's old outfit back with 'state' map". The Telegraph. 6 May 2008. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012.

[5] Ray, Udayan (2012). Ethnic Movements in India: Issues in State Response. Mittal Publications. ISBN 9788183243985. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)

[6] Chattopadhyay, Suhrid Sankar (24 May 2008). "Unrest in the plains". Frontline. 25 (11).

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