BGPM protests against BJP in the Hills : demonstration held in Darjeeling and Kalimpong

Protest rallies and demonstrations were held in Darjeeling and Kalimpong

Kalimpong, 12 February 2024 : The Bharatiya Gorkha Prajantantrik Morcha (BGPM) launched an agitation with the demand that the central government grant tribal status in the list of scheduled tribe to the 11 left-out Gorkha communities and fulfill its promise of Permanent Political System (PPS) to the Hills and adjoining areas. 

Protest rallies and demonstrations were held in Darjeeling and Kalimpong. In Kalimpong, the protest rally was started from BGPM party office that went through the main road of Kalimpong town. Both in Kalimpong and Kalimpong BGP supporters demonstrated with placards in the premises of the office of the District Magistrate. Demonstration shall continue for three days from 12th to 14th February.

Supporters of BGPM shouted slogans against the BJP. Speakers of BGPM in their speech said that the Union Government of India headed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has failed to grant tribal status to the 11 communities of the Gorkhas. It has also cheated the Gorkhas by not fulfilling the assurance of a PPS for the Gorkhas inscribed in the BJP’s election manifesto during the last Parliamentary election. 

Raju Bista, BJP MP and other BJP leaders and its supporter political parties of the Hills including GNLF were time and again reiterating that BJP will surely grant tribal status to 11 left out Gorkha communities and PPS and on a fine morning this good news will be received. They were extending the time of announcement and requested people to have patience and not to be judgmental in a hurry.

Anit Thapa, president of BGPM in Darjeeling said, “we waited till the last day of the Budget Session but their false assurances proved that they have betrayed Gorkhas for the last 15 years. BGPM will continue to proceed in the developmental works it has taken which is its priority. Gorkhas are not safe in the hands of these parties which had made false promises. We should no more depend upon others and wont be fooled any more. Now BGPM will also work for the fulfillment of aspiration of the Gorkha community.” 

“This is a time for awakening and we must help people to awaken them in the grass root level,” Thapa added. 

Delegation of BGPM submitted a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister of India through the District Magistrate demanding inclusion of 11 left out Gorkha communities in the scheduled tribe list.

BGPM is of the opinion that the BJP has been giving empty assurances since 15 years and in the year 2019 during the Parliamentary election the BJP had assured the Gorkhas of a PPS and included this in its election manifesto. On this plank Raju Bista of BJP was elected as the MP. BGPM leaders also added that so many years have passed yet nothing has happened.

At Kalimpong led by, Binay Ghising chairman of BGPM Kalimpong District Committee, Bhuwan Khanal spokesperson and other party leaders and Sabhasads Hemant Thulung Rai, Bikash Rai, Dawa Tenji Sherpa, Kamal Subba, Kumar Sharma, Paul Simick, Mamata Gurung, Pushpa Subba, Barood Thapa, Amir Basnet and others demonstrated in front of the office of the DM. 

Addressing the journalists Rajesh Chauhan vice chairman of GTA Sabha said. “we waited for the last fifteen years, but so far nothing was done by BJP”. “How long should the Gorkhas live under false assurance of the central government?” Chauhan asked. He further added that till February 14th this demonstration will continue.