GJM youth Front to hold dharna in Delhi demanding Gorkhaland

EOI, DARJEELING, SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 : The youth Front of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha will stage a two-day dharna in New Delhi with the demand for a Gorkhaland state. GJM president Bimal Gurung and general secretary Roshan Giri are also expected to take part in the dharna. 

The youth front on Friday appealed to all political parties and social organizations to support the dharna to be held on September 20 and 21and participate in the event. "We are holding programmes targeting the winter session of Parliament and want our issue to feature in the discussions," said Noman Rai, general secretary of the youth front. 

When asked why they had not targeted the special session of Parliament session to start from September 17 to 21 Rai said: "Our programme had been fixed much earlier and that parliamentary session was announced all of a sudden. Moreover, we did not think the issue of the Gorkhas would hbe taken up in the special session." 

Rai also said that the Centre could be in the midst of a dilemma as besides Gorkhaland a few other statehood demands were being raised in north Bengal, such as Kamtapur and Greater Coochbehar. 

“But if they do not grant Gorkhaland before 2024 then we will launch a united program with Adivasis, Rajbanshis and other minority groups in north Bengal.” He said meetings were already being held with them to discuss these issues. "The BJP only seems to be using all of us as vote machines," said Rai. 

The youth front leader also said the demand of Gorkhaland was being diluted by other issues. "We do not have to say anything to other political parties but issues of development, parya patta, along with others are putting our primary demand of Gorkhaland in the back seat. These parties are not against the demand and we appeal all of them to come forward for it. We do not want anyone to take the credit for it and are asking all to be united," said Rai. 

While in Delhi they also plan to meet the Darjeeling MP Raju Bista along with other senior BJP leaders for which appointments have been sought