Students’ involvement in agitation draws criticism

SNS, Kurseong, 26 August 2013: The GJMM’s strategy of involving students in the ongoing agitation has come under criticism from few Hills outfit. 

The All India Gorkha League (AIGL) General Secretary, Mr Pratap Khati, said: "It is very unfortunate that students are being involved in the agitation. Instead of providing better education facilities to the students, schools are being closed, depriving the young children of their education." 

Mr Khati also added that legal action will be taken against them (GJMM) as the Kolkata High Court has already issued strictures in favour of student's education. The Court’s order is being violated hence legal action could be taken by them. 

Mr Khati alleged that the mere resignation as the chief executive of the GTA by Mr Bimal Gurung is a eyewash. In the backdrop of educational activities coming to a standstill in the Hills, Dr Mahendra P Lama ~ the Pro Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU ~ had recently highlighted this issue and emphasised on the importance of education. 

He had said that being an academician himself, he felt that the students must get their educational rights. 

“They must not be deprived from the basic educational needs hence all educational institutes in the Hills must remain open. Students must not be involved in such kind of activities”, he said. 

On the other hand, a senior GJMM leader said that students are instrumental in taking any agitation forward and claimed that in the clamour for Telangana statehood the students were in the forefront of the agitation. 

Notably, in order to intensify the Gorkhaland agitation, the GJMM leadership has shut down the educational institutions in the Hills and had even asked all boarding students to leave the Hills. 

During the almost one month of the bandh, students have been seen participating in several rallies and from tomorrow under the direction of the GJMM chief Bimal Gurung, students between the age of 12 to 18 are going to stage rallies across Darjeeling Hills for the next five days.

(Republished- Source & Courtesy: http://www.thestatesman.net/news/12108-students-involvement-in-agitation-draws-criticism.html)