Chandra Prabha Pandey issues an unconditional apology with audio and handwritten apology note addressing the Gorkha community: Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh calls off its legal actions after the AIWC and member concerned .

 AIWC tenders unconditional Apology to the Gorkhas

Nanda Kirati Dewan, KalimNews, Guwahati June 17, 2022: The All India Women Conference (AIWC) issued an unconditional apology to the Gorkha community over mischievous remarks by one of its member Chandra Prabha Pandey stating 'Nepali/Gorkha Bhasa' being a Non Indian language is barred from a patriotic performance at its 'Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav' event. After a few hours of publication of news in the media which was widely shared across the country, the AIWC officials issued an audio apology followed by a written one. In an apology letter meant for the Gorkha community AIWC said that out of more than one lakh members across the country, remarks of one member doesn't reflect the views of the organisation. In an apology audio byte issued to protesting organisations including the Bharatiya Gorkha Yuva Parisangh who had threatened to take legal steps Mrs. Shiela Kakde, president of AIWC spoke about valour of Gorkhas and beauty of their language and said that it is not just the AIWC but the nation loves this  brave community who made supreme sacrifices safeguarding sovereignty of this nation. She tendered an apology for the remarks of the member handling the event.  Mrs. Kuljit Kaur, Secretary General, AIWC in the audio apology spoke about Nepali language being one of recognized languages of India under viii schedule of the Constitution of India. The statement condemned the insensitive remarks and irresponsible behaviour of its member Chandra Prabha Pandey. In its statement AIWC said that in an emergency meeting of members held today Pandey was directed to apologise personally and the AIWC decided to relieve her from all the responsibilities assigned.

The remarks made by the member were not authorised nor approved by the organisation and it is solely her personal statement and she herself was solely responsible for the same hence AIWC condemns the remarks and apologised before the Gorkha community. Gorkha populated Darjeeling MP Raju Bista,  Bharatiya Gorkha Yuva Parisangh (BGYP) students and youth wing of national social organisation of Indian Gorkhas - Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, HoD and staffs of Department of Nepali; Sikkim University, Gangtok, MLA from Kurseong B P Bajgain, MLA from Darjeeling Neeraj Zimba and Dr. Poonam Subba, president, Bharatiya Gorkha Mahila Parisangh and few others had written to AIWC for their stand and controversial member's apology.

Speaking to this correspondent, Dr. Munish Tamang, National President of Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh to whom the member responsible Chandra Prabha Pandey had tagged tweet with hand written apology note said, 'We accept the apology sent to us over email in their official letterhead and hand written apology note of the member concerned. We also heard the apology voice note sent to us. Parisangh analysed the clarifications and accepted an apology from the nine and half decade old women organisation working for women empowerment and upliftment of society and country.'

'Now that written apology has been furnished by Ms. Pandey and by the AIWC on their official letterhead, and AIWC President has also personally responded to BGP mails and decided to relieve Ms. Pandey the concerned member from all official responsibilities, our demands are met hence we decide to close the chapter and call off all action program related to the matter.' added Dr. Tamang who is also the President of the National Federation of New States (NFNS). He also thanked the media for carrying racial discrimination story with priority and acknowledged spontaneous response effectively on the matter.

Appreciating the apology from AIWC Raju Bista took to social media and conveyed, 'I am also happy to note that they have taken action against the member concerned and made her issue a handwritten apology note.'

'I request the Gorkha community across our nation to remain united in protesting against any and all acts of racism. We should never allow any individual or organization to demean our glorious community. In the past many such derogatory statements have gone unchallenged, because of which our people have been subjected to racist taunts and discrimination time and again. But we will not tolerate such acts of discrimination and racism any more. We are the new age Gorkhas who are very aware and assured of our place in history, and the contributions and sacrifices our people have made towards our nation building. We are second to none.' asserted the Gorkha MP who is also the National Spokesperson of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Meanwhile, AIWC has taken action against Mrs Pandey and she is relieved of her responsibility and duty as member in charge of the event management.