Gorkha Unity and Identity Take Center Stage as BGPM Marks Fifth Foundation Day, Calls for Caution Ahead of 2026 Census

KalimNews, Kalimpong, September 10, 2025 :  In a call for unity and caution ahead of the 2026 Census, Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) President Anit Thapa urged the people of the Darjeeling hills to carefully document their community and language, ensuring that past mistakes in census data collection are not repeated. Addressing a large gathering at Mungpoo on the occasion of BGPM's fifth foundation day, Thapa emphasized that the community must prioritize unity over political divides in the coming months, particularly during the critical process of census documentation.

With the national population census set to begin in October 2026, the BGPM president raised concerns that failure to maintain a collective Gorkha identity could lead to serious consequences for the community. “In the Government’s official documents, we should not be divided. Instead of recording individual castes or surnames, we must write 'Gorkha' as our community and 'Nepali' as our language. If we fail to do this, the consequences could be dangerous for us as a community,” Thapa said.

Thapa's call comes at a crucial time, as the issue of tribal status for several left-out Gorkha sub-communities remains under consideration by the BJP-led government in Delhi. For years, the community has struggled with issues of fragmentation, particularly regarding the recognition of different Gorkha sub-groups. The BGPM president stressed that it was high time for the entire Gorkha diaspora to unite and safeguard the community’s future.

The census in 2026 will be the first to include caste data for all individuals beyond the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, making it a pivotal moment for Gorkha communities, who are often fragmented into various sub-groups with distinct dialects and practices. Thapa warned that such fragmentation could weaken the community's position and argued that only through unity could they effectively protect their identity.

“We may have differences in political ideology, but for the sake of our community, we must rise above these differences,” Thapa said, calling on rival political leaders to put aside their differences and work together for the common cause of the Gorkha community. He extended an olive branch to leaders such as Bimal Gurung and Ajoy Edwards, both of whom have significant followings among the Gorkha population, suggesting that even though they compete politically, they should unite for the sake of the community's unity during the census process. “This is not just BGPM’s fight. We need everyone. If necessary, BGPM is ready to work under anyone’s leadership for the cause of the Gorkha community,” Thapa affirmed.

During his speech, Thapa also highlighted the issue of gender empowerment within the community, stating that the BGPM aims to empower women, with the hope of one day seeing a woman lead the organization. “Just as a mother cares for a home, she can also care for society,” he said, underscoring the importance of women’s leadership in shaping the future of the Gorkha community.

The event, which took place at the Mungpoo playground, saw attendees from all 45 constituencies of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) region, including leaders and supporters. The occasion began with the hoisting of the BGPM flag, after which prominent figures such as Ratan Thapa, Amar Lama, and Ruden Sada Lepcha praised the party's efforts in addressing key issues like the plight of cinchona plantation workers and pushing for fair wages. These efforts were lauded as examples of the party’s success under Thapa’s leadership, transforming the BGPM from a small group into a powerful political force in the region.

In a shift from his previous emphasis on development issues, Thapa focused on community identity during his speech. For years, he has used the development plank to consolidate support, particularly through his alliance with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Bengal. However, Thapa acknowledged that identity issues and the unification of the Gorkha community have always been central to the political discourse in the Darjeeling hills. He asserted that the community’s unity was more critical than ever before, especially with the census looming. "We are Gorkhas, Indian Gorkhas, and our language is Nepali. This is what we should mention in the census,” he emphasized.

Thapa also directed his party members to reach out to the Nepali-speaking Gorkha population across India to raise awareness about the census and the importance of preserving a united identity. He stated, “People across the country look to Darjeeling for guidance. If we fail to unite now, our community will remain in crisis.”

The BGPM president’s call for unity and a unified Gorkha identity resonates at a time when caste and sub-caste divisions continue to pose a challenge within the community. Thapa's leadership has often been characterized by a focus on development and economic upliftment, but with the upcoming census and its potential to shape the future of the community, Thapa is prioritizing the preservation of a collective Gorkha identity over individual distinctions.

As the Gorkha community prepares for the 2026 Census, Thapa’s message is clear: unity, under the banner of “Gorkha” and “Nepali,” is not only essential for political survival but for the community's future in India. "Our caste is Gorkha, our language is Nepali," Thapa reiterated, urging every Gorkha to stand together and ensure their collective identity is recorded without fragmentation.

With political rivalries temporarily set aside, the call for unity has captured the imagination of the Gorkha community, and the challenge now lies in turning this message into action as the census approaches.