Legal documents ready for re-inclusion of 11 left-out Gorkha sub-tribes as Scheduled Tribes, says Kiren Rijiju

EOI, KURSEONG / SILIGURI, APRIL 23, 2024 : Addressing an election meeting in support of BJP candidate Raju Bista for the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency at the Monteviot Ground, Kurseong, on Tuesday. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Gorkha community would get justice under the Narendra Modi government and the two major issues of the Gorkha people would be addressed.

“I have come here, as a Union Cabinet Minister, to assure you that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Gorkhas will get justice. Your two major issues will be addressed. Rest assured,” he said. He said: "The sacrifices made by the Gorkha community towards our nation building are not hidden from anyone. If anyone dare raise their fingers, or use hurtful words against the Gorkha community, we will not tolerate it. We have always stood with the Gorkha community.

"He highlighted how as the Union Law Minister he had rushed the Solicitor General of India to the Supreme Court to expunge the remarks made by one of the judges against the Gorkha community of Sikkim.

He also underlined how it was the NDA government led by. Atal Bihar Vajpayee had granted the Scheduled Tribes status to Limbu and Tamang communities. "During my tenure in the Law Ministry, we have prepared all the legal documents in support of the 11 eft-out Gorkha sub-tribes Rai, Gurung, Khas, Newar, Yakha (Dewan), Mangar, Jogi, Sunwar, Bhujel, Thami and Dhimal for re-inclusion as the Scheduled Tribes. As Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said, our government is completing the process and it will be done after the formation of the government, "Rijiju said.

"I want to tell the people of Darjeeling hills, Siliguri, Terai and Dooars, both of your demands will be fulfilled.

 A solution under the Constitution is guaranteed by the Prime Minister. If anyone is sincere about the Gorkha community, it is BJP and Prime Minister Modi. I stand hereto tell you, I am your voice in the Union Cabinet. Whenever your issue comes up, I am there to speak for you. I have come to give you this guarantee on behalf of the Prime Minister. 

"Kiren Rijiju ji said: "When you vote, you don't just vote to elect an MP or the government, but you vote for your future, you vote to make India stronger. 

Every precious vote of yours in favour of Raju Bista will be another brick for a brighter and secure future of the Gorkha community. "

Kiren Rijiju accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of creating obstacles. “She is not cooperating with the Centre. This is causing hindrances in our effort to work for the hill people,” he said. 

Rijiju said the Trinamool was neck-deep in corruption and scam and was resorting to violence to intimidate voters. “The Bengal Chief Minister does not follow rules and regulations, ”he said. “She believes in violence. Her government and party are misusing funds given by the Union government for the benefit of the people, for their own profit. 

”Taking a dig at Congress, Rijiju said the grand old party would even fail to get 40 seats in this year’s parliamentary election. “The Congress is a spent force. It will be difficult for them to get even 40 seatsthis time round,” he said.

Later in the evening, the BJP organized a road show in Siliguri town in support of Raju Bista. Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal assembly Subhendu Adhikari and Union Minister of State for Home Nishith Pramanik were present in the rally, along with BJP MLAs from Siliguri and supporters of different alliance partners of the BJP. The rally was organized from Hashmi Chawk to Mallaguri More. “Today’s march proves that the BJP government will come to Bengal. The people of Bengal have woken up and it is clear that the verdict of the election will come to us,” Nishith Pramanik said. Subhendu Adhikari called upon cheated jobseekers to surround the house of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee