Darjeeling hills must develop even if there is permanent political solution

A permanent political solution for the Darjeeling hills or the formation of a separate Gorkhaland state is not in conflict with a policy of developing the hills economically and otherwise. 

Editorial, EOI, 16 April 2024 : The BJP cannot be faulted if in its election manifesto the party has promised to ensure economic development in the hill regions of the country with the help of  the state governments concerned. 

It is surprising indeed if  political leaders in the hills of Darjeeling are not happy with this kind of a promise. In their opinion, this is an indication that the BJP has no plan to fulfil the promise of  a permanent political solution of the problems of the hills of Darjeeling and Kalimpong. Nor does it want to offer a separate state of Gorkhaland.

A permanent political solution for the Darjeeling hills or the formation of a separate Gorkhaland state is not in conflict with a policy of developing the hills economically and otherwise. Even if the Darjeeling hills are constituted into a separate state or if any other political solution is offered, it does not mean that economic development of the hills can be given a back seat.

In fact, economic development must be first priority, whatever be the nature of  the political solution.   

Any political solution without development will indeed be a hollow achievement for the people of the hills. Besides, it has been a priority of the Narendra Modi government to develop the Himalayan region economically in view of the threat posed by China from across the border. 

The Centre has taken up a Vibrant Village Programme to develop the villages located near the China border, to ensure that villagers living in these areas do not have to migrate to towns and cities because of  the lack of infrastructure and other facilities in their native villages. 

A depopulated border region will help China extend its illegitimate claims over these areas.

The chief reason for the grouse of some political leaders in Darjeeling seems to be that the BJP manifesto is silent on the political issues of the Gorkha community.   

Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself, however, has mentioned in a public meeting in Siliguri recently that apolitical solution has already been worked out and it is round the corner. In view of this assurance, its mention in the poll manifesto of the party may be redundant. Besides, the BJP has burnt its finger twice in the past.  

Having promised Gorkhaland and permanent political solution in election manifestos during previous elections, The Centre has not been able to fulfil these promises. The party had to face flak for that. 

BJP M.P. Raju Bista, being the man on the ground, has the unenviable role of  convincing a skeptical group of leaders that the BJP means business. 

The problem is that such issues cannot be settled early and that the fact that the BJP government at the Centre has not been able to deliver in the past 10 years does not mean that the intentions of  the government are not genuine.

The latest indication from Bista that a committee of     political     leaders,     intellectuals     and constitutional experts will be formed after the election to take the issue of  permanent political solution forward is something concrete. It is better than the Centre thrusting something from above. Of  course, in India committees have often been used to relegate difficult issues to the backburner. In the case of  Darjeeling, this should not be the outcome of the committee.