Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front Intensifies Protests Over Tea Garden Land and Worker Rights

KalimNews, February 9, 2025: The Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF) staged a large-scale protest rally and public meeting in Mirik on Saturday, emphasizing their firm stance on the issues concerning tea garden workers in the Darjeeling hills. This movement, led by Ajoy Edwards, is gaining momentum amidst ongoing disputes over the allocation of five decimals of land for tea garden workers and the non-implementation of the Minimum Wages Act.

The rally commenced from the premises of Mirik Krishnanagar Hospital, proceeding through Mirik Bazaar before concluding at Mirik Super Market, where a public meeting was held. The protest saw an outpouring of support from workers and activists, underlining the growing unrest in the region. Paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the demand of a separate state of Gorkhaland, Edwards strongly reiterated his demands that tea estate workers should be granted ownership of the land they occupy. He emphasized the need for a native lease rather than a landless lease, ensuring workers receive rightful documentation for their land.

In a pointed critique, Edwards called upon Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Chief Executive Anit Thapa to leverage his proximity to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the benefit of tea workers. He issued a one-week ultimatum for Thapa to cancel the proposal allocating 30 percent of tea estate land for business purposes, secure a signed agreement ensuring a 20 percent bonus to workers before the first flush tea plucking begins, and push for the immediate implementation of the Minimum Wages Act in tea gardens. If these demands remain unmet, Edwards warned of a subsequent protest rally in Kurseong.

The IGJF’s structured approach to these long-standing grievances has injected fresh urgency into the movement, particularly after the Chief Minister recently announced an increase in the non-tea land usage cap from 15 to 30 percent. Rejecting this decision outright, Edwards declared that the hills had no available land to offer, stating, “These lands are our kipat (homeland), and there is not even one percent of vacant space for external use, let alone 30 percent.” He firmly opposed any survey for the five-decimal land scheme, declaring it unacceptable.

Expressing frustration over the delayed resolution of wage-related disputes, Edwards stated that unless an immediate resolution on the bonus issue is reached, no tea plucking will take place when the first flush season begins on February 27. This particular harvest is crucial as it commands the highest market price, making the timing of the protest especially significant. While the tea industry has expressed concerns over this disruption, management has indicated that financial clarity will only emerge by March 31, hinting that bonus negotiations might take place at a later date. However, the IGJF has dismissed this timeline, demanding immediate action.

Edwards also criticized GTA chief Anit Thapa, who leads the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) and is an ally of the Trinamool Congress in the hills. He urged Thapa to secure a reversal of the 30 percent land allocation policy and ensure a fair resolution on workers' rights within a week. If these demands are not met, IGJF has vowed to escalate its protests.

The protest was further strengthened by the presence of tribal leader Rajesh Lakra from the Dooars, who vowed to initiate a similar movement in the plains, expanding the agitation beyond the hills. Edwards also took aim at BJP representatives, including Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, MLA Neeraj Zimba, and Kurseong MLA B.P. Bajgain, accusing them of failing to stand by the community during this crucial period.

Highlighting the historical significance of Mirik, Edwards pointed out that the town’s proximity to Manju, the birthplace of Gorkha leader Subhas Ghising, made it an appropriate venue for this major gathering. He criticized local leaders for prioritizing festivities over addressing the tea garden crisis, asserting that now was a time for action, not celebration. Additionally, he urged political figures to avoid unnecessary internal conflicts on social media and instead focus on advocating for the hill people’s needs in legislative forums.

Reaffirming his commitment, Edwards stated that his objective extended beyond political power and administration—his primary goal was to fulfill the aspirations of the Gorkha community. He further called upon BGPM leaders and their followers to uphold their Gorkha identity with dignity and refrain from being subservient to external political influences.