Hill Group to Stage Dharnas in Delhi Demanding Gorkhaland

EOI, Darjeeling, November 6, 2024 :  The Gorkhaland Activist Samuha (GAS), an apolitical group leading the demand for separate statehood for Darjeeling, has announced plans to stage a dharna in Delhi during the winter session of Parliament. The protest is aimed at pressuring the central government over their longstanding demand for Gorkhaland.

In a meeting held on Wednesday, GAS members discussed their future programs centered around their one-point agenda of securing Gorkhaland. Kishore Pradhan, a member of GAS, confirmed that the organization is planning to hold the dharna at Jantar Mantar, likely during the second week of December, coinciding with the Parliament's winter session.

"Along with the dharna, we are planning various other agitational programs. There could also be a cultural program or a seminar to raise awareness. However, the exact date of the winter session is yet to be confirmed, and once the date is finalized, we will announce the full details of our plans," said Pradhan.

As a non-political body, GAS is inviting both political and non-political organizations, as well as individuals, to participate in the Delhi event. To ensure proper coordination, the organization has set up a six-member committee tasked with planning the program and spreading awareness about the dharna.

"We will send a team to Delhi ahead of time to prepare for the event, and another team will visit places like Assam to involve the wider Gorkha community, as this demand is not just for Darjeeling but for all Gorkhas across India," Pradhan added.

In addition to the Delhi dharna, GAS plans to organize a long march in Darjeeling before their Delhi program to galvanize local support.