JM delegation reiterated the need to examine the creation the formation of a separate state for Gorkhaland

Rajesh Sharma, KalimNews, Kalimpong, 24 November 2014: A delegation of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha met Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon’ble Home Minister at the Parliament. Shri S.S Ahluwalia along with the GJM delegation led by Shri Bimal Gurung, Shri Rooshan Giri, Shri Binay Tamang, Shri Anit Tamang, Shri Swaraj Thapa, Shri Arun Sighchi and Shri Phoebe Rai included in its team.

The GJM delegation reiterated the need to examine the creation the formation of a separate state for Gorkhaland as promised by the BJP in their election manifesto of 2009 and 2014. Both the manifestos clearly states that BJP would sympathetically examine and appropriately consider the long pending demands of the Gorkhas and other people of Darjeeling District and Dooars region. 

Bimal Gurung has said that he is happy to inform to all supporters that Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon’ble Home Minister has agreed to set up a committee to examine our century old demand of Gorkhaland today. 

The GJM delegation also briefed the issue of a Central University for GTA area as it is a long standing demand of the people of the Hills. The GJM briefed the Hon’ble Minister that education is one of the most important pillars of a successful community and society, people living in the Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars region have been deprived of this fundamental and most basic of social rights by the succeeding Bengal governments. Darjeeling region is home to some of the best schools and colleges in India and students from all over Asia come to study in beloved hills. 

Gurung in his social network has said that yet in terms of higher education, we severely lag behind the rest of India, due to a systematic oppression meted out by the Bengal government. The GJM delegation also requested to expedite the inclusion of 10 communities namely Bhujel, Gurung, Mangar, Newar, Jogi, Khas, Rai, Sunwar, Thami, Yakhha (Dewan) and Dhimal in the Schedule Tribe List. 

The Hon’ble Home Minister appealed the GJM delegation to postpone their 3 day Delhi Dharna for Gorkhaland as the Government has decided to set up a committee to examine the demand of Gorkhaland. He also said that the new BJP Government was just 7 months old and wanted some time to look into our demands. On Rajnath Singh ji’s request the GJM has decided to postpone the 3 day Delhi Dharna and ask the Central Government to expedite the formation of the committee to examine our demand for Gorkhaland. 

The GJM has supported the BJP in the last elections because BJP has always been in favour of formation of smaller states. It should be noted that it was during the NDA’s rule that 3 small states of Uttarkhand, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh was created. The GJM will also have a public meeting on 7th December where it will announce its future political program and brief the public about political developments in Delhi. The GJM will have a meeting on 27th November at 12.30 pm in Gorkha Rangamanch with all its central committee members, Sub Division members, GTA members, Municipality Chairmans & Commissioners, all parent body members of the various organizations under the GJM regarding the recent political developments in Delhi and future political program of the party. The GJM would again like to thank the Hon’ble Home Minister who has taken the first step towards creation of Gorkhaland by agreeing to examine our century old demand of Gorkhaland.