Anit Thapa pitches for land right of tea garden workers

I only give assurance on what I can deliver. Till Gorkhaland is achieved, we have to develop ourselves and move ahead. I will work with the state government for the welfare of our community and area- Thapa

EOI, DARJEELING, SEPT 24, 2023 : The Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha kicked off the campaign for land right for the tea garden workers of the hills with a rally and public meeting in Darjeeling town on Sunday. 

BGPM president, Anit Thapa has coined the term "our land, our right" for the parcha patta (land right) campaign. Addressing a sea of supporters at the Motor Stand in Darjeeling, Thapa said he would not rest until owners in the tea garden areas were handed documents for all the land in their possession. 

"At least the state government heard our plea and issued the notification unlike over the years of neglect. The state government may have made a mistake in granting only 5 decimal. We have appraised the government about the people's demand and made fresh submission for the right to the entire land under the worker's possession," said the BGPM president, who also heads the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, that governs the Hills.

In August, earlier this year, the state government issued a notification for distribution of homestead patta for five decimal of land to the tea garden populace. However, the opposition parties including a few social organizations immediately upped the ante against the state government decision to hand out documents for only 5 decimal, politically cornering the BGPM that supports the issue.

Sensing the sentiments of the people, the state government has now stopped the survey and land verification process in the tea garden areas. The BGPM president however said the opposition should refrain from petty politics and instead provide positive suggestions. 

"I do not indulge in mudslinging. I am willing to give way to the opposition political parties to lead the issue if it is worth it for the people. I don't want the land right issue to die. I will invite the opposition parties to sit for discussion and take their suggestions on the type of parcha patta we should accept from here on," Thapa said.

Thapa alleged the tea garden owners of conspiring to derail the land right issue by joining hands with the opposition. 

"We know very well that the owners are involved in the conspiracy against the distribution of land right. I urge the owners to show compassion and take responsibility. The workers toil hard so that the owners earn huge profits from the tea gardens," he said. 

Thapa said he would continue to work with the Bengal government to fulfill election promises and usher development in the region. 

"I only give assurance on what I can deliver. Till Gorkhaland is achieved, we have to develop ourselves and move ahead. I will work with the state government for the welfare of our community and area," he said. 

The BGPM president accused the BJP for sitting back on the Gorkhaland demand by not showing its will power. 

"We have many examples. The women's reservation bill was passed in parliament over night. The BJP should show similar will for the Gorkha community. Instead of failed tripartite talks before election, the BJP should initiate a special meeting and bring a bill for Gorkhaland in the parliament and get it passed," said Thapa. 

The BGPM president said the onus was with the BJP Darjeeling MP Raju Bista to be proactive as the statehood demand was a central subject and for which hill people voted for him and his party for over fifteen years.