Mann Ghisingh refuses permission to GTA to install statue and memorial of Subash Ghisingh

GTA Chief Executive Officer Anit Thapa who is also the president of had earlier written to the GNLF president seeking permission to install a statue and memorial

EOI, DARJEELING, DECEMBER 12, 2022: Mann Ghisingh, the Gorkha National Liberation Front chairman, has refused to let the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration install a statue and memorial of his father Subash Ghisingh in Mirik.

Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Chief Executive Officer Anit Thapa who is also the president of Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha had earlier written to the GNLF president seeking permission to install a statue and memorial of the former GNLF leader at Manju tea garden in Mirik.

Mann in his reply to the GTA chief executive officer on Monday said the decision to build a statue and memorial of his father had already been taken by his party, the GNLF.

The GNLF leader also said as a son it was his wish to build a statue and memorial of his father and mother. "As a son it is my duty to build the statue and memorial of my father and mother," said Mann. 

However, Mann said the statue and memorial would only be installed after the Gorkha community got justice. "I deeply respect the sentiment and your gesture. But, we will only build the statue and memorial after our community gets justice," said the GNLF leader in his reply to the BGPM president. Subash Ghisingh was the founder of the Gorkha National Liberation Front and the spearhead the statehood movement.

He founded the GNLF in the 1980s. This was followed by the statehood movement in1986 that ultimately came to an end in 1988with the formation of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council.

Meanwhile, Darjeeling MLA and GNLF secretary general Neeraj Zimba has sought support of Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang to recommend the Padma award (posthumously) to the former GNLF president.