Subash Ghisingh no more...End of an era in hill politics

EOI, Darjeeling, 29 January 2015; Subash Ghisingh, who led the Gorkha National Liberation Front demanding a separate state of Gorkhaland, passed away this afternoon at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi. GNLF central committee member Prakash Dahal confirmed the news of Ghisingh’s death in the evening. He said, “The end came around 2:00-3:00 in the afternoon. The body will be flown to Siliguri for cremation.” 

Speaking to this correspondent over telephone from New Delhi, Dahal said Ghisingh’s mortal remains will arrive at the Bagdogra airport on Friday afternoon around 1:00pm. The GNLF president was under treatment since September of last year for jaundice, weakness and other old age-related ailments. According to party sources, Ghisingh’s condition had improved since the past week, but his blood sugar fell drastically yesterday. 

The passing away of Subash Ghisingh ends an era of political turbulence in the Darjeeling hills. It was a quiet and peaceful end to a charismatic person who propelled Darjeeling into the arena of national politics following a four-year-long violent agitation. Ironically, his last years were spent in oblivion in the plains of Jalpaiguri and Siliguri.

Ghisingh was born in Manju Tea Estate of Mirik on June 22, 1936. He enlisted in the Gorkha Rifles after the death of his father in 1954. He quit the Army in 1960 and returned home to Darjeeling to complete college education. Ghisingh spent some years working as a school teacher to eventually drift into politics, and was arrested for the first time for joining an agitation demanding better living conditions in the hills. Ghisingh’s political career actually started in 1968 when he launched an outfit called Nilo Jhanda.

Ghisingh first raised the Gorkhaland state demand in April 1979. On April 5, 1980, he formed the GNLF and formally demanded the formation of a Gorkhaland state paving the way for a bloody agitation that claimed an estimated 1,200 lives. On August 22, 1988, the GNLF signed an agreement with the state and central governments acceding for the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, a semi-autonomous body.

The GNLF won the DGHC polls for three consecutive terms. Ghisingh’s tenure as DGHC head was marked by the construction of a number of roads in the outlying areas of the hills including developing a few tourist spots. 

GJM chief Bimal Gurung, Ghisingh’s one-time trusted lieutenant, wrote on his Facebook page:  "The sad demise of Mr Subhash Ghisingh is a huge political loss for the hills. His contributions to the development of the hills will always be appreciated. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and pray God gives them the strength to bear the loss."

CPM Darjeeling district committee secretary Jibesh Sarkar said, “On behalf of the CPM Darjeeling district committee, I deeply mourn the sad demise of Sri.Subhash Ghisingh, ex- chairman of the DGHC and GNLF president.”