Bhaichung backs Gorkhaland demand

Chewan K Dahal | TNN | Sep 15, 2017,GANGTOK: Former Indian football captain and 2014 Trinamool Congress candidate from Darjeeling, Bhaichung Bhutia, believes a separate Gorkhaland state is necessary to "permanently" resolve the Hills problem "in an appropriate manner".

Bhutia categorically said he did not agree with Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's views on Gorkhaland. "But my res-igning from the Trinamool will serve no purpose, my res-igning does not mean that Gorkhaland will happen," he said when asked whether his remarks would affect his position in the party.

Bhutia hastened to emphasise that he was stating his personal view but was unequivocal in saying that the Hills people had been "struggling for more than three decades" for a separate state. "The Bengal government should act like a big brother and take care of its small brother and take steps to permanently settle this perennial demand in an appropriate manner," he said.

The Darjeeling Hills had never been a part of West Bengal and, should Gorkhaland happen, people of Bengal should not feel that their state was being divided, he added.

The football icon, who hails from Sikkim, feels Sikkim CM Pawan Chamling should be guiding the leaders in the Hills on how to take forward the Gorkhaland movement in a constructive and effective manner. The two MPs from Sikkim should raise the matter in the Parliament and engage MPs in a debate on the Gorkhaland movement, he said.

Pro-Gorkhaland parties needed to get the support of the Bengali intellectual community as well as Trinamool leaders, Bhutia felt, adding that there were some Trinamool leaders and bureaucrats who agreed with the Gorkhaland demand but found it difficult to come out. "Be constructive and try to win the support of the Bengali community, especially the intellectuals and political leaders. We should refrain from saying bad things against other communities. If a separate state or union territory happens, even people in Siliguri will benefit from the peace in the Hills and development picking up," he added.