BGPM dharna in Darjeeling demanding ST status for 11 left-out communities

The MP has tried. But his party has not supported him: Anit Thapa 

EOI, DARJEELING,FEBRUARY 12, 2024 : The Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha has written to Prime minister Narendra Modi reiterating the demand for inclusion of the Gorkha ethnic tribes in the Schedule Tribe list. 

On Monday, the party organized dharnas across the hills to create pressure on the Centre for the fulfillment of this demand. 

BGPM president Anit Thapa participated in a demonstration in front of the office of the District Magistrate in Darjeeling to demand for the inclusion of the Bhujel, Mangar, Khas, Yakkha Dewan, Sunuwar, Jogi, Newar, Gurung, Rai, Thami and Dhimal communities in the Scheduled Tribe list. 

"We put our faith in the BJP for 15 years but the promises made have not been delivered. They have failed to fulfill their commitment. We are also Indians but why this betrayal," asked Thapa. 

The BJP in its 2019 election manifesto promised to include the 11 left out Gorkha communities of the hills in the ST list and find a permanent political solution. A few days ago, the Centre passed a Bill in Parliament including four ethnic groups of Jammu and Kashmir in the ST list; asserting it was a long pending demand. 

"The 11 Gorkha hill tribes too are similarly placed in remoteness, backwardness and in urgent need of social and economical development as in Jammu and Kashmir. We need justice and not step-motherly treatment," said Thapa. 

The BGPM president said the dharna would extend and convert into rallies across the hills and the Terai and the Dooars. 

"Our protest will continue. Our demonstration is like public awareness. We will organize rallies with people from the Terai and the Dooars," said Thapa.
The BGPM president refused to lay blame on BJPMP, Raju Bista for the delay, but on the indifference of the BJP towards the demand of the Gorkhas. 

"The MP has tried. But his party has not supported him. I have never wanted personal confrontation. The BJP has to prove us otherwise," said Thapa.