Gorkhaland Seminar in Dehradun

KalimNews, Kalimpong, 28 September 2013: Organised by Darjeeling Foundation a press conference was held here in the heart of Dehradun city on Saturday evening. 

The press conference was addressed by Swaraj Thapa, senior journalist and Convenor of Darjeeling Foundation.Col Bhagwan Singh Chettri, President of Gorkhali Sudhar Sabha, P Arjun, Member of Study Forum, GJMM; Harka Bahadur Chettry, MLA Kalimpong; Hony Capt JB Karki, and Swaraj Thapa, senior journalist and Convenor of Darjeeling Foundation. Mr Swaraj Thapa said that were dissatisfied with the step-motherly treatments of Uttarakhand Government as well as Union Government. 

“The Gorkhas in India were not treated equally with other Indian citizens. Dr Harka Bahadur Chettri said that Gorkhas are being termed as outsiders or migrants from Nepal. We don’t belong to Nepal or Pakistan, but we are Indians,” said Chettri, Spokesperson of GJMM, who is also a sitting MLA from Kalimpong. 

Gorkhaland is among the oldest demand for statehood in the country. For the first time in history, the Gorkhas, demanded a separate administrative division within the constitutional framework of India in 1907 said Mr P Arjun. 

The leaders reiterated the issue that of the the movement and agitation for Gorkhaland demand before 1980s was peaceful and nonviolent. In 1984 to 1987 the movement was spearheaded by Gorkhaland National Liberation Front when over 1200 Gorkhas were killed. 

From 2007 onwards, the demand was peaceful and nonviolent under the leadership of Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha. 

The seminar taking place in Dehradun, tomorrow is a historic seminar on Gorkhaland a nd the demand for smaller states will be held at Gorkhali Sudhar Sabha on Sunday and political leaders from Uttarakhand will also voice their opinion on the issue of creation of a new state. 

According to Ranjan Sharma, Media Coordinator, Darjeeling Foundation, the idea of the seminar is to educate the people of Uttarakhand and a medium to promote the cause of Gorkhaland vis a vis the issue of creation of Gorkhaland comprising Darjeeling and surrounding areas. 

We anticipate that we will get a positive response from the people of Uttarakhand that they will support our cause.