Ghisingh bats for 6th schedule status for the Hills

Amitava Banerje, THT (Kolkata), 6 Apr 2014: Gorkha National Liberation F ront ( GNLF) supremo Subash Ghisingh said on Saturday that political strategies need to change with time and as the situation demands. Earlier, their Gorkhaland demand was linked with an international treaty, now their demand, regional autonomy ( sixth schedule, DGHC), is within the framework of the Constitution, he said.

Saturday marked the raising day of the GNLF and was commemorated in different places. Ghising’s clarification comes at a time when the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) led by Bimal Gurung has been labeling him as a betrayer of the cause — demand for a separate state — that he himself had championed in the 1980s.

Talking to mediapersons, Ghisingh explained why GNLF was now rallying for regional autonomy and not a separate state.

Comparing the demand for Gorkhaland with a “brahmashtra” Ghisingh said that earlier he had used it to save the Gorkhas residing in the country. “Owing to Article 7 of the Indo-Nepal Friendship Treaty of 1950, Gorkhas in India were being labelled as subjects of Nepal and were being victimised. In 1979, they were driven out from many states. That is the time I had used the brahmashtra. On August 23, 1988, all Gorkhas were saved. The job of the brahmashtra was complete,” said Ghisingh.

It may be recalled that Ghising had led a 28-month violent agitation for Gorkhaland is the mid-1980s. The agitation paved the way for the formation of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) on August 23, 1988. As part of the agitation, GNLF supporters had torched copies of Article 7 of the treaty which says that the governments of India and Nepal have agreed to give all privileges and facilities to the nationals of their countries living in each other’s territories.According to Ghising, Indian Gorkhas suffered from an identity crisis owing to this article. The GNLF agitation and formation of the DGHC resolved this crisis, he said.

“The situation has changed. From as early as the 1950s, different political outfits have been demanding regional autonomy under different names, including district autonomy. The DGHC (stands for) regional autonomy,” he said.

“Darjeeling now needs a political ashtra which is regional autonomy within the framework of the constitution. DGHC is a body with true autonomous powers. Inclusion of the Darjeeling Hills in the 6th Schedule of the constitution is just an upgrade of the DGHC. Article 7 of the Indo-Nepal Treaty cannot cause fur ther damage. It has been defused,” the GNLF leader continued. He also claimed that DGHC is far better than the existing Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).

“The GTA does not have any autonomous powers and functions,” Ghisingh said. Interestingly, the GNLF has demanded the scrapping of the GTA and recon- stitution of the DGHC. When questioned how the GNLF would go about it, Ghisingh said, “Whether Delhi and Kolkata accept our demand or not, it is our political stand.”

On why the GNLF decided to extend support to Trinamool candidate Bhaichung Bhutia, Ghising said, “We found Bhaichung most able.” When asked if his party has entered into any bargain with the Trinamool, he said, “This is our political stand. It is unconditional. We have not bargained with the Trinamool.”

Regarding the GNLF’s campaign strategy for Bhutia, Ghisingh said, “My handbills asking GNLF to suppor t Bhutia are enough. The handbills will work. From Sunday, we will distribute them. There is no requirement for joint public meetings with the Trinamool.”